Kleiner Falkenstein

The Kleiner Falkenstein is a mountain rising to 1 190 metres in the Bavarian Forest National Park. It stands just below the higher Großer Falkenstein on the border between Bavaria and Bohemia. The summit is rocky and offers wide views across the treetops. On clear days the Arber, the Osser and the Zwiesler Winkel appear on the horizon. Peregrine falcons nest in the cliffs below the top. The nature reserve was created in 1939 by the Bavarian government. It originally covered seventeen hectares and protected rare plants and birds. In 1997 the area was enlarged and joined the national park. The reserve still keeps its own rules to safeguard the old spruce and beech woods. Visitors follow a steep path to the summit through dense forest. The final metres are over open rock where the wind can be strong. From the top the Bohemian plateau stretches away to the east. The cliffs below are fenced off to protect the falcons. Below the mountain the park’s trails lead to other peaks and valleys.