Circular route 'Buntspecht' (Spotted woodpecker) - From Racheldiensthütte to Rachelsee

Stages:
Racheldiensthütte – Ice Age educational trail – Rachelsee (Lake Rachel) – Felsenkanzel - Racheldiensthütte

Tour description:
We start our tour at the bus stop Racheldiensthütte and follow the signs towards Racheldiensthütte. We continue following the path to the left of the bus shelter and go uphill for about 200 meters.

At the Racheldiensthütte, we keep left and continue with the signpost 'Buntspecht' (Spotted woodpecker) towards Rachelsee (Lake Rachel). After we have passed a small Klause (artificial lake) on the right hand side, we keep right at the next crossroads and follow the path through the woodlands for about two kilometers on a partly stony path steadily uphill through varied mixed mountain forest. At the end of this section, we see some information boards of the Ice Age educational trail that explain the glacial formation of this landscape.

Soon we meet a broader gravel road, on which we turn right. It leads us to the Lake Rachel after about 750 meters. Here, benches offer the opportunity for a rest and there is also a shelter - in case of bad weather conditions. The Rachel summit rises majestically above the mountain-side. On the right edge of this mountain-side, you can discover Rachel chapel.

After our break, we go back the same way for a short distance and then keep left towards Racheldiensthütte, following the ‘Buntspecht’ (Spotted woodpecker). With little difference in altitude, the path leads along a former drift channel which supplied Lake Rachel with water for timber drift back in the days. After about two kilometers, we reach the Felsenkanzel, where we can have another break.

Now we are already on the last part of this tour. The ‘Buntspecht’ (Spotted woodpecker) leads us downhill through the emerging jungle of the national park. There is beautiful view in several parts of this section. After about two kilometers, we reach Racheldiensthütte again and can enjoy regional meals at this refreshment point. There is a playground for children as well.

Correct on the go – all the time:

• Beware of falling trees and deadwood! The use of the path is at your own risk. At strong wind please leave the forest for safety reasons!
• Path regulations in order to protect endangered plants and animals in certain areas of the national park
• Please do not leave any trash! Dog poop bags or handkerchiefs do not belong in nature either. Please help to keep our wild forest clean. Thank you!

Always ensure to have good equipment: card, sturdy shoes, something to drink, first aid kit, bad weather clothing

Tour of medium difficulty with a longer, sometimes steep ascent to Lake Rachel.
The trail is constantly signposted with the marking 'Buntspecht' (Spotted woodpecker).
Refreshment point at Racheldiensthütte (Please inform about the opening hours).

Parking area Diensthüttenstraße
Nationalparkstraße
94568 St. Oswald-Riedlhütte

From here, continue with the local public transport network (Igelbus)

Parking area Diensthüttenstraße
Nationalparkstraße
94568 St. Oswald-Riedlhütte

From here, continue with the local public transport network (Igelbus)

Igelbus stop Racheldiensthütte
Igelbus line Rachel-Bus 601

(Igelbus operating from mid of May until the end of the bavarian autumn holidays end of October/beginning of November)

For timetables see www.bayerwald-ticket.com
Schedules on www.bayern-fahrplan.de

• Buntspecht (Spotted woodpecker)

Did you know it?

Rachelsee
The Rachelsee (Lake Rachel) is the only natural lake in the Bavarian Forest National Park. It was formed at the end of last ice age by glacier activity in a kar. The end moraine of the glacier formed a natural dam, which stored meltwater. In the 19th century, the natural dam was enhanced by humans, in order to simplify timber drift. Today, the lake covers an area of 5.7 hectares and is about 13 meters deep. Due to the acidic (high silica) parent rock (gneiss), as well as the acidity of surrounding spruce forest, the lakes water is naturally acidic (Ph-value approx. 5). So comparatively few aquatic organisms live in it.
 
A new native forest area emerges in the national park
Within the national park, there is no interference with natural development processes on most of its surface. Natural disturbances, such as windthrow, bark beetle and snow break, change the appearance of the landscape enormously within a relatively short time. Old trees die and remain in the forest. Between their remains, a new and stable native forest area with great biodiversity is created. Standing and lying deadwood is very important, as it offers a wide variety of habitats for a variety of life. Insects and fungi benefit from deadwood, for example. Young trees grow up under great living conditions in the area around deadwood with a good supply of water, nutrients and Substrate.

Igelbus stop Racheldiensthütte

Igelbus stop Racheldiensthütte