Berchtesgadener Land – Mountains, Gorges and Culture

Landscape and regional orientation

The Berchtesgadener Land Biosphere Region encompasses the entire Berchtesgadener Land district. The region is therefore defined by more than just its high-alpine south: its extent from the Rupertiwinkel to the national park provides a broader point of reference for planning your trip. The pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomä is located on the Hirschau peninsula in the national park on Lake Königssee.

One special way to visit St. Bartholomä is by boat from Schönau am Königssee. Check the seasonal timetable before your trip.

Hiking trails, gorges and viewpoints

In Berchtesgaden National Park, the network includes 260 kilometers of hiking trails and alpine paths. The panoramic trail around the Haus der Berge offers a closer look at the landscape: it brings the materials and plants of the four habitats—water, forest, alpine pasture and rock—to life and offers views of the Watzmann, Hochkalter and Jenner.

The gorges also differ markedly in their trail features. The short walking path through Wimbachklamm is around 200 meters long and follows steep rock walls over bridges and boardwalks. The hike through Almbachklamm, by contrast, includes 29 bridges and boardwalks, 320 steps and a tunnel blasted into the rock. As seasonal opening dates and weather-related closures can change, check conditions before your visit.

At the entrance to Klausbachtal lies Klausbachhaus in the national park community of Ramsau. It is the starting point for many hiking tours into the national park; an accessible circular trail also begins there.

Culture, history and special insights

The pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomä was built in 1134. Its location on the Hirschau peninsula on Lake Königssee makes a visit to the church an opportunity to explore a site in the national park. High above Berchtesgaden, the Kehlsteinhaus offers panoramic views of the mountains and insights into history.

The Obersalzberg Documentation Center explores the history of Obersalzberg and the Nazi dictatorship through multimedia exhibits. The historic bunker complex is accessible as part of the permanent exhibition.

The Royal Palace of Berchtesgaden houses valuable art collections and the collection of roe deer belonging to Duke Albrecht of Bavaria. Weather permitting, the small rose garden can also be visited.

Salt, crafts and regional experiences

The Berchtesgaden Salt Mine has been in operation for more than 500 years. It illustrates the present-day journey of the brine: from extraction in the mine, to transport to Bad Reichenhall, to processing into high-quality table salt. During a visit, visitors also cross the Mirror Lake on a raft 130 meters underground and see glittering salt crystals.

During opening hours, a signposted tour at the Grassl Distillery visitor center in Unterau takes visitors through the distillation of gentian, juniper, gin and masterwort. A free tasting of 40 specialties is also offered. Check the latest information about the visitor center and tasting conditions before your visit.

For another perspective on the surrounding area, the Berchtesgaden Radstern starts in Berchtesgaden and follows four signposted routes radiating out through the Berchtesgaden Valley. The number of routes and their signposting provide clear orientation, while the attractions range from hiking trails and gorges to culture and salt history. When planning your trip, you can prioritize these themes according to which ones matter most during your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bad Reichenhall, Bayerisch Gmain, Ski accommodation in Berchtesgaden, Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, Bischofswiesen, Schönau am Königssee, Piding, Marktschellenberg, Anger, Schneizlreuth, Weißbach A.D.Alpenstraße, Teisendorf, Eck.

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