The long-distance hiking trail “Goldsteig” runs for 14 kilometres through Grainet; overall, it is 660 kilometres long. The Grainet section is listed as taking 3.5 hours and covering 330 metres of elevation gain. It is considered an easy trail. These figures give the hiking part of your trip a clear framework. Another focus is the cultural heritage: the Chapel Trail passes wayside shrines, roadside crosses, village chapels and parish churches, while two local churches reflect different periods of construction and influences.
Hiking trails with different focuses
The themed hiking trail “Chapel Trail” links the Haidel communities of Hinterschmiding, Grainet, Philippsreut, Haidmühle and Neureichenau. Along the way, it passes numerous wayside shrines and roadside crosses, village chapels and several parish churches. This trail therefore focuses on the cultural landscape.
Choosing between the two hiking trails depends on what you would like to focus on: the Goldsteig section is described with details on distance, duration and elevation gain; the Chapel Trail focuses on small religious monuments and churches. The designated “Trans Bayerwald” cycling route offers another way to explore the region on mountain bike tours. Guided hikes organised by the Grainet Tourism Association are open to holidaymakers and local residents. If you plan to join one, confirm locally before your trip that it is available.
Churches in Grainet
St Nicholas Church in Grainet was built in the late Middle Ages and dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The Church of the Holy Trinity was built in 1756 and features Baroque elements. The two churches thus offer different historical points of interest: St Nicholas Church is notable for its medieval origins and dedication, while the Church of the Holy Trinity stands out for its year of construction and Baroque character. Those interested in architectural and church history will find a distinct way to explore the town alongside its hiking trails.
Freyung-Grafenau as a regional setting
The Bavarian Forest National Park extends into the district within the wider travel destination of Freyung-Grafenau. It opened on 7 October 1970 as Germany’s first national park. According to the 2024 zoning map, 75.37 percent of its area is designated as natural zones. The Buchberger Leite is another nature destination in Freyung-Grafenau: in the wild-stream gorge, steep rock barriers force the gravel- and cascade-rich Wolfsteiner Ohe into a deeply confined channel. Remnants of primeval forest have been preserved in the gorge forests, rich in mosses and ferns.
An eight-kilometre themed hiking trail, with information boards and an accompanying brochure, runs through the Buchberger Leite between Freyung and Ringelai. Historic timber-floating walls, tunnels cut into the rock and above-ground channels bear witness to centuries of human activity there. Nature and culture can therefore be explored here through distinctive landscape features and traces of past use.
Cultural attractions in the wider travel destination of Freyung-Grafenau offer their own highlights. Built around 1700, the Schramlhaus is the oldest farmhouse in Freyung and, in terms of its original condition, one of the oldest in the district of Freyung-Grafenau. It houses the Wolfstein Local History Museum and more than a hundred original examples of reverse glass painting, a form of sacred folk art.
The Gabreta Archaeological Adventure Park features buildings reconstructed from original Celtic structures, symbolically representing Celtic artefacts from the hill of Paul Freund. Practical visitor activities include bread-making; expert-guided tours about Celtic life can also be booked. Check dates and availability before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Grafenau, Schöfweg, Neureichenau, Freyung, Fürsteneck, Innernzell, Hohenau, Schönberg.
Back to the main travel overview: Freyung-Grafenau.
