Welcome to the beautiful Dreiburgenland in the Bavarian Forest
Our versatile holiday region is located between the three-river city of Passau and the Bavarian Forest National Park. It is a worthwhile travel destination for hikers, wellness fans, climbers, water and winter sports enthusiasts, e-bikers, and cyclists, as well as nature lovers and friends of the Lower Bavarian lifestyle and culture.
The three castles
deep forests - proud castles
As already mentioned, our beautiful region owes its name to the three medieval castles Fürstenstein, Englburg and Saldenburg. Due to their location high up on the hills, which are so characteristic for our area, the historical buildings can always be seen well from a distance. They tower above the area named after them like huge, brick-built signposts and offer hikers and cyclists not only orientation, but also some spectacular sights.
castle Fürstenstein
The castle complex of Fürstenstein above the village of the same name is located on a 578-meter-high rock and was first mentioned in documents in 1366. Until 2001 the castle hosted an elementary school for boys with a boarding school. Today the facility is privately owned and can therefore only be viewed from the outside.
Saldenburg
The Saldenburg, which was built in the 14th century, has been owned by the German Youth Hostel Association since 1928 and has been home to a youth hostel since then. Due to the characteristic appearance of the main building, locals often just call it "forest lantern". The annual castle Christmas on the 1st Advent is a special highlight of the year at the Saldenburg and is definitely worth a visit.
castle Englburg
The Englburg (municipality of Tittling) is located near Fürstenstein. Built in the 11th century, it had served as a military hospital during World War II and was then used as a lung sanatorium until 1950. The Englburg is now in private hands, too, which is why the interior of the facility is not accessible to the public.
Natural wonder Ilz
the black pearl
At the foot of the National Park Mountains Rachel and Lusen, in the Bavarian-Bohemian border region, small streams and rivulets unite to form one of the last large white waters of Eastern Bavaria. On its way to Passau, where it finally merges with the Inn and the Danube, the Ilz also roams the Dreiburgenland. On a length of around 40 kilometres it offers walkers, hikers, cyclists, but also water sports fans the occasion to discover a really stunning, pristine nature.
The rushing rapids below the Dießenstein castle ruins, for example, not only delight lovers of romantic, original river landscapes and adventurous children, but also cast a spell on one or two daring kayakers.
A bit further down the river, those who prefer something a little quieter can explore the “black pearl” - as the Ilz is often called - on a rubber dinghy or a Stand Up Paddle Board. And if you are sure to find your luck in the vertical, you will get your money's worth in the Ilztal Climbing Garden located in a former quarry near Fischhaus.
Special hiking and excursion tips along the Ilz
Active through the Dreiburgenland
to be in the fresh air
Of course, our beautiful area also offers plenty of attractive alternatives for an exciting vacation and leisure time away from the Ilz. So countless other hiking, riding and cycling paths, as well as small forest roads and hidden single trails crisscross the densely forested Dreiburgenland and the neighbouring regions of eastern Lower Bavaria. They all invite active vacationists, nature lovers and families with children to explore the varied surroundings on foot, on a horse´s or pony´s back or by mountain bike or e-bike. The Danube-Ilz Cycle Path, completed in 2006, for example, leads almost 50 kilometres from Hengersberg to Kalteneck. The mostly paved path on a former railway line opens up its own perspective on nature and the towns along the route.
shaking fun
A hike to the rocking stone natural monument "Wackelstein" (municipality of Saldenburg) provides a special experience for the whole family. With a little effort and, above all, the necessary skill, the rock, weighing tons, can surprisingly be moved by one or two people. Such stone formations are actually extremely rare in nature.
panorama
Just a few kilometres away, in Thurmannsbang, the ascent to the observation tower at the Ochsenriegel (622 m) is rewarded with a 360-degree panoramic view of the forests, meadows and towns of the Dreiburgenland. If the weather is right, you can not only see the peaks of the Bavarian Forest, but also the Alps in the opposite direction. And if you look closely, you will almost certainly be able to discover our three castles between the surrounding treetops.
scramble and hike
For those who want to go a little higher, the nearby Bavarian Forest offers the opportunity to climb the peaks of Falkenstein (1315 m), Lusen (1373 m), Rachel (1452 m) and Arber (1455 m). The latter can also be easily reached by cable car. In the Bavarian Forest National Park, there is also a more than 200-kilometre cycle path network waiting for e-bikers and ambitious cyclists alike.
Dreiburgenland in winter
the cold season at its best
Thanks to its location on the edge of the southern Bavarian Forest, Dreiburgenland is not only worth a trip in the warm months of the year. Even in the cold season, nature-loving holidaymakers and winter sports fans will get their money's worth here: cross-country tours, long walks and hikes over snow-covered hills or through enchanted forests; ice-covered lakes and ponds, on which the older locals like to play ice stock sport and children play ice hockey. A lot of things that make our region so special in spring, summer and autumn also ensure a high degree of variety in winter.
The numerous lifts and ski slopes like the Steinberglift at the Brotjacklriegel or the nearby Bavarian Forest, an extensive and well-maintained network of tracks for cross-country skiing and skating, as well as the opportunity to climb the summits of Rachel, Lusen and Arber with snowshoes on your feet, promise winter holiday fun for young and old. An (evening) sleigh ride on the Lusen is also one of the indispensable winter excursion tips, just as the already mentioned castle Christmas in Saldenburg.
Tips for connoisseurs
Because the pandemic does not (yet) allow regular operations in gastronomy, we would like to recommend restaurants that offer their meals for you "TO GO".
Saldenburg
Neukirchen v. Wald
Gasthof zur Post
Hotel-Gasthof Kirchenwirt
Verenas Cafe Stüberl
Restaurante Al Tiglio