Circular route ‘Haselhuhn‘ (Hazel grouse) – hiking tour through the Felswandergebiet

Stages:
Parking area Felswandergebiet – Kleine Kanzel – optionally detour to Große Kanzel – Parking area Felswandergebiet
 
Tour description:
We start at parking area Felswandergebiet opposite Jugendwaldheim Wessely-Haus, go some steps up, and follow the yellow sign with the black symbol ‘Haselhuhn’ (Hazel grouse) to the left. At first, the trail goes slightly uphill through light forest and after a short way on a forest road we turn right into steeper terrain.
 
We climb uphill through wild woodland and reach Kleine Kanzel summit (1011 meters above sea level) via a steep, rocky path, partially via stone stairs. Between the trees you can glimpse some views southwest across the national park apron and, by good weather, on the alpine peaks. Despite their names, Kleine Kanzel (“Small Kanzel” is higher than the neighbouring Große Kanzel (Great Kanzel) (1002 meters above sea level). Both are summits of Steinberg.
 
Tip: A detour to Große Kanzel is worth it because of the impressive rock formations and a fantastic panoramic view. About 300 m underneath Kleine Kanzel we branch off to the left and follw the sign ‘Eberesche’ (Rowan) to Große Kanzel. The additional way there and back is 500 m each.
Note: The climb to Große Kanzel summit goes via a partially exposed, rocky path that can be slippery in wet conditions. You have to be sure footed.
 
The second part of our hiking tour is less steep and rocky and goes steadily downhill. Again, the path winds through enormous boulders and wild woodland with very much deadwood and young trees too. Because of the high amount of deadwood and diverse structures, Felswandergebiet is the habitat of rare animals, plants and fungi, for example Zitronengelbe Tramete.
 
After about 1.5 hours we reach parking area Felswandergebiet again.

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

Short, in parts steep circular hiking trail on rocky paths. Sturdy shoes are highly recommended. No refreshment point on the way.

In winter, the circular trail 'Haselhuhn' (Hazel grouse) is not cleared from snow and can therefore be used for a snowshoe hike. Then, you just need to calculate more time needed (about 1:45 h).

Parking area Felswandergebiet
Glashütte 48
94545 Hohenau

Parking area Felswandergebiet
Glashütte 48
94545 Hohenau

Igelbus stop Felswandergebiet

Igelbus line Finsterau-Bus 603
(Igelbus operating from mid of May until the end of the bavarian autumn holidays end of October/beginning of November)

Winterigelbus line 604 C
(Winterigelbus operating from December 26 to March 3rd and during the easter holidays)

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

• Haselhuhn (Hazel grouse)

Did you know it?
 
Felswandergebiet in Bavarian Forest National Park
There is a hiking trail past giant rocks and bizarre trees. Fallen trees with gigantic root plates suggest the dynamics of a native forest and illustrate the process of growth and decay. The Felswandergebiet was exploited with the national park foundation in 1970. A large part of the stone steps were set up new in order to enable this tour past tors and rotten tree trunks.
 
Zitronengelbe Tramete
The Zitronengelbe Tramete is a true primary forest fungus too. In Germany, this extremely rare one could only be found within Bavarian Forest National Park for a long period. Nowadays there are also documented findings in the Black Forest National Park. Thanks to protection measures, the Zitronengelbe Tramete can spread again.

Parking area Felswandergebiet, Glashütte 48, 94545 Hohenau

Parking area Felswandergebiet, Glashütte 48, 94545 Hohenau