Piding: Walking Trails, Church and Johannishögl

Local trails with different destinations

The Pidinger Bienenweg is an enjoyable walking trail for the whole family. It leads from Neubichler Alm through mixed forest, past fruit trees and across flower meadows to the Johannishögl mountain inn. Along the way, visitors can learn about the importance of bees for natural and cultural landscapes, as well as for nutrition and health. The trail thus combines a specific walking route with an insight into the role of bees.

The Högler circular hiking trail takes a different route: it starts at the Högler Straße hiking car park in Piding. The loop passes the small monuments Haasen-Taferl and Högl-Steinbruch and offers panoramic views of the Berchtesgaden Alps. This gives you the choice between the trail from Neubichler Alm to Johannishögl and a circular route with named landmarks and mountain views.

Church architecture and living tradition

St. John's Church on the Johannishögl combines several distinctive features: 14th-century frescoes, Romanesque walls, a late Gothic vaulted ceiling and a Baroque tower. For those interested in church architecture, these different elements can be seen side by side, from the wall paintings and vault to the design of the tower.

Every year on June 24, the church's patronal feast is celebrated on the Johannishögl, followed by a church consecration festival at the neighbouring inn after the service. A traditional St. John's bonfire is then lit and kept burning until evening. The date brings together the religious occasion, the local festival and the evening bonfire.

Another cultural highlight is the year-round nativity scene in the Old Rectory above the Piding Tourist Information Centre. It is designed in an Alpine style and has been housed there since 2013. Created by Wally Nitzinger, the nativity scene includes more than 220 figures and 60 birds, as well as native wildlife such as chamois, deer and ibex.

Via ferrata and views

The Pidinger via ferrata runs along the northern cliffs of the Hochstaufen. It can be reached from Piding or Urwies via a forest road and then a hiking trail. Before setting off, check the current route conditions and local access information.

The Johannishögl inn offers a different view of the landscape: it stands on the Högl in Piding and overlooks all of Salzburg. Piding therefore offers both a via ferrata route on the Hochstaufen and a named viewpoint on the Högl.

Local products and the Berchtesgadener Land

At the Berchtesgadener Land dairy’s production site in Piding, the milk shop offers its own dairy specialities, regional delicatessen and fair-trade products. Before visiting, check the current sales days and opening hours.

The wider destination of Berchtesgadener Land provides a distinct regional setting. The Berchtesgadener Land Biosphere Region covers the entire district. Berchtesgaden National Park has a 260-kilometre network of hiking trails and alpine routes. In Ramsau, the approximately 200-metre-long walking trail through the Wimbachklamm gorge follows steep rock faces over bridges and walkways. A hike through the Almbachklamm gorge crosses 29 bridges and walkways, 320 steps and a tunnel blasted through the rock. The Almbachklamm gorge is open seasonally; weather conditions may lead to closures. Check the current situation before visiting.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Teisendorf, Anger, Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, Bischofswiesen, Bad Reichenhall, Marktschellenberg, Schneizlreuth, Bayerisch Gmain.

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