Name: 1st North Bavarian Forest Work Championships Schwarzenbach a. Wald 2026
Start: 2026-06-20T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-06-21T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Festplatz Schützenstraße

North Bavarian Forest Work Championships

About North Bavarian Forest Work Championships

In the Frankenwald town of Schwarzenbach am Wald, 50 foresters from Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Norway will compete in the first North Bavarian Forest Work Championships on June 20 and 21, 2026. At the festival grounds on Schützenstraße, they will demonstrate precision felling, chain changing, precision cutting, combined cutting, and delimbing — five disciplines where millimeters and seconds count. Accompanied by wood sculptor demos, live music from the band Bogeymen, and Franconian tavern cuisine. Free admission.

Dates 20 Jun — 21 Jun 2026

Venue Schwarzenbach a.Wald (09475)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

North Bavarian Forest Work Championships — edition 2026

On June 20 and 21, 2026, the first North Bavarian Forest Work Championships will take place at the festival grounds on Schützenstraße in Schwarzenbach a.Wald. Starting at 9 AM both days. Over 50 foresters from Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Norway will compete in five disciplines. On Saturday evening, live music by the band Bogeymen starting at 7 PM (free), and on Sunday, wood sculptor demonstrations. Free admission. Organizer: Holzforum Schwarzenbach a.Wald.

Premiere with International Participation

The town of Schwarzenbach a.Wald is hosting the championship for the first time — confirmed by the town's event calendar and the Holzforum Schwarzenbach. Over 50 competitors from Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Norway are expected. Around 30 referees and helpers will oversee the competition.

Details of the Five Disciplines

Precision Felling: 38–42 cm thick log, falls onto a target pole 15 m away
Chain Changing: Quick change of saw chain and bar
Combined Cutting: 3–8 cm thick discs, synchronized cut from top and bottom
Precision Cutting: Two 35 cm logs, without damaging the board underneath
Delimbing: 28–32 branches, judged on quality and speed

Results Announcement

The final results will be announced around 5–6 PM on Sunday. Points system with individual and team scoring.

Highlights North Bavarian Forest Work Championships 2026

Premiere: 1st North Bavarian Forest Work Championships
Over 50 competitors from DE, IT, SLO, NO
Five disciplines — from precision felling to delimbing
Live music by Bogeymen on Saturday evening
Wood sculptor demonstrations on Sunday

Programme North Bavarian Forest Work Championships 2026

Saturday, June 20, 2026

9:00 AM — Start of competitions at the Schützenstraße festival grounds
Morning and Afternoon — Disciplines: Precision Felling, Chain Changing, Combined Cutting, Precision Cutting, Delimbing
7:00 PM — Live music by the regional band Bogeymen (free admission)

Sunday, June 21, 2026

9:00 AM — Continuation of competitions
Throughout the day — Wood sculptor demonstrations with sale of created works
5:00 PM–6:00 PM — Results announcement and award ceremony

Catering

Wild sausages, roast pork, pizza, snacks
Franconian draft beers
Coffee and cake in the afternoon

Prices North Bavarian Forest Work Championships 2026

Free admission to all program points. Food and drinks at festival prices, cash payment at the stand.

Practical information

Practical information — North Bavarian Forest Work Championships

Getting Here

By car: A9 exit Naila/Selbitz, then country roads towards Schwarzenbach a.Wald. By train: to Hof or Marktredwitz, then bus or taxi to Schwarzenbach a.Wald.

On Site

Festival grounds at Schützenstraße in Schwarzenbach a.Wald. Starts at 9 AM both days. Free admission. Food and drinks available on site, cash payment.

Tip

Combine your visit with a hike in the Frankenwald Nature Park (Döbraberg, Höllental, Hirschsprung).

Forestry as a Sport

Forest work championships originate from the forest nations of Scandinavia and the Alpine region — they combine professional skill with sport: precision sawing, chain changing, precision cuts. The format has been established in Germany for decades; in 2026, the North Bavarian Championship will take place for the first time in Schwarzenbach a. Wald — a small premiere, building on the Frankenwald's tradition as a rich forestry region.

The Five Disciplines in Detail

Precision Felling: A 38–42 cm thick log must fall exactly onto a target pole 15 meters away. Accuracy and safety are judged.
Chain Changing: Fastest change of saw chain and bar on the running competition equipment.
Combined Cutting: Two synchronized cuts (from above and below) must meet exactly in the middle of a 3–8 cm thick log.
Precision Cutting: Two 35-cm logs are partially sawn without touching the board underneath.
Delimbing: 28 to 32 branches of a log section must be removed cleanly and quickly — quality and speed.

International Field of Competitors

Over 50 competitors from Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Norway will compete. Around 30 referees and helpers will oversee the competitions. The placement is decided by a points system, with results announced around 5–6 PM on Sunday.

Supporting Program — Franconian Volksfest Atmosphere

Saturday Evening: Live music by the regional band Bogeymen starting at 7 PM, free admission.
Sunday: Wood sculptor demonstrations with sale of the created works.
Both Days: Wild sausages, roast pork, pizza, snacks, and Franconian beers.

Schwarzenbach am Wald and the Frankenwald

The small town in the Hof district is located in the Frankenwald Nature Park, a region rich in tradition for forestry and glassmaking. Wood industry shapes the area to this day, with numerous sawmills, forestry businesses, and the Bavarian Forestry Administration. The premiere of the North Bavarian Championship fits this heritage and is part of the local festival (Heimat- und Wiesenfests) organized by the town together with the local wood forum.