Winter tour to the deer enclosure at Scheureck

The national parks wild nature can also be experienced on groomed winter hiking trails. Therefore, this tour takes us past romantic stream to the deer enclosure Scheuereck – even without snowshoes. Here, we can observe the largest animal of our forests from several platforms.
 
Advice:
Easy tour with little difference in altitude. All ways cleared. 
 
Local public transport network:
Igelbus stop Spiegelhütte
(Falkenstein-Bus, line 7150)
for timetables see: www.bayerwald-ticket.com

Navigation:
Parking area Spiegelhütte
Spiegelhütte 19
94227 Lindberg

Stages:
Spiegelhütte - Weiße Brücke - Bauhüttenbrücke – deer enclosure Scheuereck - Spiegelhütte


Tour description:
Our tour starts at the parking area. Following the signpost 'Rothirsch', we hike downhill through the village towards the Igelbus stop Spiegelhütte (730 meters above sea level). This tour will lead us on cleared winter hiking trails towards the deer enclosure Scheuereck. Next, we follow the signpost 'Forelle' towards Weiße Brücke. The fish will accompany us as a sign during the whole tour. At the beginning, we pass some buildings, but soon the trail leads us slightly downhill through the forest and along a small mountain stream. After some time, we reach a street.

Here, we turn right and follow the road for a while, before we arrive at Weiße Brücke (664 meters above sea level). We leave the road and turn left into the forest. The path leads us gently uphill towards Scheuereck. After quite some time, we see an information panel. Here we can learn more about mining and gold washing back in the days. Following the 'Forelle’, we finally reach the spot where the Grosser Höllbach flows into the Kolbersbach from the north. Now, we continue on our trail along the Kolbersbach. After some time we reach the Bauhüttenbrücke, here the way leads towards Scheureck with a hairpin bend. 

Soon we reach this small hamlet (775 meters above sea level) with its deer enclosure. Red deer can be observed from close range in this nine-hectare enclosure. We can also take a short detour to the shelter at the feeding place. There is also a panel, providing information about themes like red deer or wildlife management within the Bavarian Forest National Park. After, we keep following the ‘Forelle’ and continue down the road for a short distance, before the trail branches off to the left and into the forest again. Walking gently downhill, we finally reach the village of Spiegelhütte, the start point of our toour.
 

Correct on the go – all the time

• Always ensure to have good equipment: card, sturdy shoes, something to drink, first aid kit, bad weather clothing.
• Beware of falling trees and deadwood! The use of the path is at your own risk. In case of 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

Did you know it?

The Kolbersbach originates at the Deffernikschwelle, where Rindlbach and other spring streams meet. Due to its small slope, it could be used for the Holztrift (timber transport in the water) back in the days. Therefore, it was straightened in the late 19th century and its brooksides were attached. At the end of the 20th century, the straightening was removed. Due to this renaturation, the stream can develop in a natural way again and the water seeks its streambed itself. This has a positive impact on biodiversity and serves as flood protection too. In its course, other streams, like Höllbach and Schleicherbach join the Kolbersbach, before it flows into the Großer Regen.

For Holztrift (timber transport in the water) people needed straight streams with high flow velocity. For this reason, many streams were straightened in the Bavarian Forest National Park and small dams were built in the upper areas (Klausen or Schwellen). Today, the straightening is removed in several places, so that the streams can flow naturally again (renaturation). This has positive impact on biodiversity in and around this streams and serves as flood protection too.

Already back in the 18th century, the area around Scheuereck served as agricultural area for the population. In the past, there were two works for the production of potash, which was necessary to produce glass. Today, they do no longer exist. Instead, a forest service cabin was built, formerly used as a simple beer counter for forestry workers. In 1968, the animal encounter was built as a visitor attraction. The Administration of the national park enlarged it later. Today, Scheuereck is a popular destination and starting point for a number of hiking and bike tours.