Ilztal

Ilztal, or the Ilz valley, is the valley carved by the Ilz river in eastern Bavaria, Germany. It lies within the Bavarian Forest region and passes through parts of the districts of Freyung-Grafenau and Passau. The landscape is typified by forested hills, river meanders, meadows and traditional villages along the riverbanks. The Ilz itself rises in the Bavarian Forest near the Czech border and flows generally northward until it joins the Danube near Passau, contributing to the Danube watershed.

The valley has a long rural settlement pattern and a local economy based on agriculture, forestry and increasingly tourism. Visitors come for outdoor recreation such as hiking, cycling and canoeing, as well as scenic viewpoints along the river. Small towns in the Ilztal preserve Bavarian cultural heritage, including historic churches, traditional farms and local cuisine.

Conservation and landscape are important aspects of the Ilztal, with portions managed as protected landscapes and nature reserves that protect native forests, habitats and wildlife. The valley is part of the greater Danube region, linking rural Bavaria to broader European ecological and cultural networks.