You arrive in the well-known spa town of Bodenmais. After your arrival, take a leisurely stroll through the town and its spa gardens, visit the JOSKA Glasparadies glassworks, or experience a guided tour of the historic Silberberg visitor mine, where ore was already being mined back in the 12th century.
Hotel (example): „Das Arber-Hotel“ am Rothbach
Your first highlight is the Rißloch Waterfalls, whose main cascade plunges up to 15 meters. The trail then leads uphill to the Chamer Hütte. From here, it is only a short detour and ascent to the Kleiner Arber. The Goldsteig then guides you to the "King of the Bavarian Forest" – the Großer Arber at 1,456 meters. Enjoy the magnificent panoramic view before descending to the Großer Arbersee (Great Arber Lake), or shorten the tour by taking the comfortable Arber cable car down to the valley station (additional cost). With either option, you will use public transport to return to your accommodation.
Optional extension as a circular tour from Großer Arber (from km 9) via Hochzellberg (approx. 9.5 km, walking time: approx. 3 hrs, +60 m, –830 m): You hike down from the Großer Arber to reach the Schachtenwiese meadow. At Mittagsplatzl, enjoy the view across the 400-meter steep Arberseewand cliff down to the Großer Arbersee. At Hochzellberg (1,208 m), you will not only be rewarded with a wonderful view of Bodenmais, but you might also spot paragliders taking off.
Hotel (example): „Das Arber-Hotel“ am Rothbach
After a bus ride back to the Großer Arbersee, you rejoin your hiking route and hike comfortably down into the valley. Following the Großer Regen river, you reach the climatic spa town of Bayerisch Eisenstein, where you can visit the Local Railway Museum (Localbahnmuseum) and the NaturparkWelten exhibition at the border railway station. Slightly uphill, the trail continues below the Hochberg. After a refreshing break at the traditional Schwellhäusl inn, you walk past the Triftbach stream to Zwieslerwaldhaus.
Hotel (example): Hotel-Gasthof Zwieseler Waldhaus
Today you hike up the Großer Falkenstein and pass the historic Ruckowitzschachten, the oldest former mountain pasture (Schachten) in the Bavarian Forest. Enjoy wonderful views of the Großer Arber and take a well-deserved break at the summit. Afterwards, the trail leads down to the Falkenstein National Park Center in Ludwigsthal. In the animal outdoor enclosure (additional walking distance), you might be lucky enough to spot wolves or lynxes. Finally, take the Waldbahn train (free of charge) to the glassmaking town of Zwiesel, where the spa gardens and the impressive crystal glass pyramid await you.
Hotel (example): Pension Sonneneck Zwiesel
After a short morning transfer, you reach Buchenau. The trail now leads uphill to rejoin the Goldsteig. Alongside the pristine Zwieselter Filz raised bog, you will experience more historic Schachten pastures today. Follow the hiking trail to the Waldschmidthaus, located just below the summit of the Großer Rachel. There, you leave the trail and take the bus (free of charge) to your overnight stay in Spiegelau.
Hotel (example): Landhotel Tannenhof
Today you climb up to the summit of the Großer Rachel, the second-highest mountain in the national park. A short detour to the picturesque Rachelsee Chapel overlooking Lake Rachel is highly recommended! The trail continues across the Felsenkanzel viewpoint and winds through varied mixed mountain forests to the Teufelsloch gorge. There, you leave the Goldsteig and hike past the Martinsklause reservoir down into the village of Waldhäuser.
Hotel (example): Berggasthof Lusen
The long ascent to the Lusen (1,373 m) via the rocky Himmelsleiter ("Stairway to Heaven") is rewarded with an impressive view across the Blockmeer, a massive sea of granite boulders. The remainder of the stage consists of a relaxed, gradual descent to Mauth. The forest meadow at Tummelplatz, below Mount Großalmeyerschloß, as well as the Steinbachklause reservoir, are ideal spots for a cozy rest and a wonderful conclusion to your hiking tour.
Hotel (example): Wirtshaus – Pension Säumerpfad
After an unforgettable hiking trip along the Goldsteig, you begin your journey home today. Alternatively, you can extend your hiking holiday with an extra night in Mauth or at one of the other stage towns.
For individual departure by train:
The departure town of Mauth is not connected to the railway network. Your individual return journey regularly takes place by bus to the nearest train station. Alternatively, we offer a minibus transfer to your desired train station (e.g., Plattling, Regensburg, or Passau) and would be happy to provide you with a corresponding quote.