Police investigate illegal two-storey hut in Bavarian forest

A man who built an illegal two-storey hut in a forest near Jachenau, in the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district, is under investigation, BR reported. He told police he wanted to create a “place to retreat”.

Employees of Bavarian State Forests discovered the green-painted wooden hut, which measures about 4.5 by 3.5 metres and has windows on both floors. It appears to have been built from a kit sold at a hardware store.

Forest workers first noticed boards stored near a forestry road in the Orterer Alm area. Months later, they found a prepared building site about a kilometre away in difficult-to-access terrain. Police say the man carried the wood there on foot, sometimes in the middle of the night. The hut was built over four weeks in August.

During police surveillance, the man was seen wearing survival clothing and carrying a weapon. Investigators identified him through a vehicle linked to him. A search of his home led to the seizure of a crossbow. He also admitted owning firearms that do not require a permit, saying they were for his defence.

The man apparently identifies with the prepper scene, whose members prepare for possible crises or emergencies by stockpiling supplies and equipment. He told police that the hut’s two-storey design was practical because longer boards would not fit in his small car.

The hut must be dismantled, with the builder likely to pay the costs. He is being investigated over possible breaches of building and nature conservation laws, unlawful carrying of weapons, and damage to forest soil and trees.

The case follows the discovery last summer of a hidden prepper cache in the Karwendel mountains near Lenggries. It contained food, medicines and other equipment in several barrels. Police have not identified who left it there.