# Bavarian Forest: from Passau to Regensburg

> 4-day road trip of about 190 km (118 mi) with 7 stops, from Passau to Regensburg. About 2 h 37 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b4-bavarian-forest/

**At a glance:** 4-day road trip of about 190 km (118 mi) with 7 stops, from Passau to Regensburg. About 2 h 37 min of driving in total. Germany’s oldest national park, glassmaking towns, a dark glacial lake and the Walhalla temple above the Danube.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 190 km (118 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 37 min |
| Suggested days | 4 |
| Stops | 7 |
| Route | Passau → Regensburg |
| Countries | Germany |
| Updated | August 1, 2026 |

## Route description

Passau, where the Inn and the Ilz meet the Danube, has a Baroque cathedral with one of the largest church organs in the world. Head north into the hills to the Bavarian Forest National Park, founded in 1970 as Germany’s first.

At Neuschönau, the Tree Top Walk climbs through the canopy to a lookout tower, and the animal enclosure nearby shows lynx, wolves and bears. Continue to Zwiesel, a glassmaking town with glassworks and shops, and Bodenmais, a mining village turned walking resort.

The road then climbs to the Großer Arbersee, a dark lake below the Großer Arber, the highest peak of the range; a gondola lift climbs most of the way to the summit. The forest is at its best in autumn, and the area is also a snowy winter destination.

Drive west through the hills to Donaustauf and the Walhalla, a Greek-style temple with a view over the Danube, before finishing in Regensburg, a UNESCO old town with a medieval stone bridge. Roads in the forest are quiet and winding, with plenty of campsites.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Passau** (Germany)
2. **Bavarian Forest Tree Top Walk** (Neuschönau, Germany): A timber walkway through the canopy ending in an egg-shaped tower above the national park. The gentle ramps suit wheelchairs and pushchairs, and the Lusen animal enclosure is next door.
3. **Zwiesel** (Germany)
4. **Bodenmais** (Germany)
5. **Großer Arbersee** (Bayerisch Eisenstein, Germany): A dark glacial lake with floating bog islands below the Großer Arber, the highest peak of the Bavarian Forest. An easy path circles the shore in under an hour.
6. **Walhalla** (Donaustauf, Germany): A marble temple in Greek style high above the Danube, housing busts of famous Germans. It is a short walk from the upper car park; the steps down to the river are long.
7. **Regensburg** (Germany)

## FAQs

**How long is Bavarian Forest: from Passau to Regensburg?**
4-day road trip of about 190 km (118 mi) with 7 stops, from Passau to Regensburg. About 2 h 37 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Bavarian Forest: from Passau to Regensburg?**
We suggest 4 days: about 2 h 37 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Bavarian Forest: from Passau to Regensburg start and end?**
It starts in Passau and ends in Regensburg.

**Which countries does Bavarian Forest: from Passau to Regensburg pass through?**
Germany.