Hiking in Berchtesgaden National Park, Bavaria, Germany (original) (raw)

Berchtesgaden National Park is located in Upper Bavaria in Southern Germany, along the border of Austria. Founded in 1978, Germany’s only alpine national park is a natural paradise of limestone mountains, karst plateaus, forests, gorges, streams, waterfalls, and mountain lakes.

Boasting a network of 250 km of hiking trails, Berchtesgaden National Park offers a wide range of hikes, suitable for both families with children as well as ambitious mountaineers.

The hiking season in the Berchtesgaden Alps stretches from June to October, but snow may linger on high alpine paths until late July. In summer, thunderstorms are frequent. Use the bergfex app to monitor the weather.

Alpine transhumance is alive and well in the Berchtesgaden Alps. Alpine pastures are grazed in summer and visitors can drink fresh buttermilk at many Almen. Bring cash with you to enjoy mid-hike meals and drinks in the mountains.

We spent a glorious few days hiking in Berchtesgaden National Park in mid-August. Our trip was especially gratifying, because of all the mid-hike and post-hike swims. Fortunately, swimming is allowed in all of the lakes in the protected area.

Read on for specific trail recommendations and essential tips.

Wimbachklamm Gorge, Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Germany

Berchtesgaden National Park Hiking Map

Hiking Trails in Berchtesgaden National Park

Kleine Reibn

Kleine Reibn karst terrain, Berchtesgaden Alps, Bavaria, Germany

Kleine Reibn is a demanding day hike in the northeastern corner of Berchtesgaden National Park, at times hugging the state border between Salzburg (Austria) and Bavaria (Germany).

Hikers can start the Kleine Reibn hike at Hinterbrand car park, or the Jenner mountain station, accessible by cableway from Königssee.

We recommend starting at Jenner in order to save time and energy for this challenging tour. Also, those that start at Jenner can detour to the Jenner viewpoint platform and summit, which affords staggering views of Lake Königgsee and Mount Watzmann, the third highest mountain in Germany.

With great ease, the trail leads to Carl-von-Stahl Haus mountain refuge on the Torrener Joch saddle. In a southeasterly direction, the mountain trail follows the wide Salzburg-Bavaria border ridge to Schneibstein summit. The steep, karst-strewn trail is difficult, requiring surefootedness and comfort in uneven, rugged, and slippery terrain.

As you near the wide plateau of Schneibstein, there are marvelous views of Hohes Brett (2340 m), Hoher Göll (2522 m), Grosser Archenkopf (2391 m), and Hinteres Freieck (2309 m).

Lake Seeleinsee, Kleine Reibn, Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Germany

The Kleine Reibn trail rolls across a high-alpine karst landscape, crossing slopes, dropping down rocks steps, and meandering through high valleys to reach Lake Seeleinsee.

On a hot summer’s day, swimming in the crisp, clear waters of Lake Seeleinsee is Nirvana.

Just beyond the lake basin, the trail turns northwest and descends Stiergraben (a steep sloping valley), which becomes increasingly lush and verdant with elevation loss.

Eventually, the trail eases across mountain pastures around Priesbergalm (managed alpine pasture hut). Just beyond the Alm, the trail widens. It’s all easy walking from here on out. The final stretch follows the Königsweg all the way back to the Jenner Middle Station.

For more info about this hike, read our in-depth Kleine Reibn trail guide.

Trail Stats

Starting Point | Jennerbahn Talstation (valley station)

Trailhead | Jennerbahn Bergstation (mountain station)

Ending Point | Jennerbahn Mittelstation (middle station)

Distance | 16 km circuit with gondola ascent & decent

Time Needed | 6:35 – 7 hours

Elevation Gain | 753 meters

Elevation Loss | 1359 meters

Difficulty | Difficult

Wimbachklamm to Wimbachschloss

Wimbachklamm Gorge, Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Germany

Wimbachklamm is a 200-meter long gorge in Berchtesgaden National Park.

Though short, this little paradise is worth visiting. Numerous waterfalls cascade across the moss-covered rock walls of the gorge into the tumbling, misty stream below. It’s a magical landscape – one that inspires thoughts of “If I could shift into an animal, or plant form, I would live here.”

We recommend extending the hike to Wimbachschloss for lunch.

Starting at the Wimbachbrücke Car Park/Bus Stop, follow the Wimbachweg road uphill.

After 10-minutes, you will pass by Wimbach’s Wollstadl souvenir shop. Directly behind the shop, there’s a self-service Kasse, where you must purchase a token to enter the Wimbach gorge.

When the track divides, take the lower trail to reach the entrance of the gorge, marked by a full-height turnstile gate.

An elevated timber walkway runs through the gorge. Walk slowly and enjoy.

A series of steps brings you to the exit, marked by another turnstile gate.

Lunch at Wimbachschloss hut, Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Germany

Upon exiting, continue walking up Wimbachtal Valley for one hour to reach the managed Wimbachschloss hut. The wide forest track runs parallel to the Wimbach Stream.

This welcoming hut, a former hunting lodge, serves delicious local food daily between 10 am and 6 pm. On Sundays and Holidays, the hut is open between 10 am and 5:30 pm.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Wimbachbrücke Parking lot

Distance | 8.6 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 2:35 hours out-and-back

Elevation Gain/Loss | 311 meters

Difficulty | Easy

Lake Obersee Salet – Fischunkelalm – Röthbach Waterfall

Lake Obsersee, Berchtesgaden National Park, Bavaria, Germany

Lake Obersee is located just south of Lake Königssee.

When riding the electric boat across Königsee, passengers can disembark at Kessel (upon request only), St. Bartholomä, and/or Salet.

Those that get off at Salet at the southern end of the lake, typically follow the well-trodden path to the northwestern shore of Lake Obersee. This is where you’ll find the famous boathouse photo motif.

The trail continues around the lake to the managed Fischunkelalm (cash only) and onwards to the valley head, where there’s a view of Röthbach Waterfall.

Fischunkelalm and Lake Obsersee, Berchtesgaden National Park, Bavaria, Germany

Typically, we shy away from such busy hikes. But, we were craving something easy and low impact after the Kleine Reibn tour.

This straightforward hike delivers overwhelmingly picture-perfect views of Obersee and its vertiginous mountain flanks.

Moreover, it’s a wonderful place to swim in summer. There are a few pebbly beaches with easy access, just off the main trail.

Read our guide to visiting Lake Königssee for information about the boat ride.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Salet Jetty

Distance | 9.6 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 3 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 322 meters

Difficulty | Easy

Trail Difficulty Color System

Trail Signs in Berchtesgaden National Park, Bavaria, Germany

In Berchtesgaden National Park, trail colors signify trail difficulty. Trail colors are visible on trail signs, directly next to the signed destination. The painted waymarks on the trail (mostly red-white-red) are only directional and do not signify difficulty.

Yellow Trails signify developed, barrier-free pathways with no, or only slight inclines and no risk of falling.

Blue Trails signify easy mountain trails, which are often narrow and can have steep sections, but no risk of falling,

Red Trails are narrow and often steep mountain trails, containing short passages where there is risk of falling and some cable-secured passages.

Black Trails are narrow, steep, and often exposed mountain trails, where there is risk of falling. These trails contain unsecured and secured scrambling areas. Black trails are not suitable for dogs.

Where to Stay near Berchtesgaden National Park for Hiking

When you stay overnight in the Berchtesgaden region, you will receive a free Berchtesgaden Guest Card. This gives you free rides on regional transit. It also gives you a slight discount on specific attractions and museums including the Jennerbahn, Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden, and Dokumentation Obersalzberg.

Schönau am Königssee

Schönau am Königssee is a municipality in the district of Berchtesgadener Land. It’s the gateway to Lake Königssee. Though it doesn’t offer a “village” atmosphere, its advantageous location allows for convenient access to the lake, the Jenner cableway, and the Grünstein via ferrata.

If you’re traveling without a car, we recommend staying at Explorer Hotel Berchtesgaden, or Hotel Bergheimat.

If you’re traveling with a car, Alm- & Wellnesshotel Alpenhof (luxury) is an excellent choice.

Where we stayed – Budget-Midrange | Explorer Hotel Berchtesgaden is designed for active travelers and athletes. A breakfast buffet is laid out at 6:30 am, which is ideal for getting an early start in the mountains. Rooms are comfortable and soundproofed. Use of the wellness area with steam sauna and Finnish sauna is complimentary. The casual hotel bar is open from 4 pm. We enjoyed relaxing on the terrace with a drink to the sound of Königsseer Ache. There is ample on-site outdoor parking (1 EUR/day) and garage parking (8 EUR/day). And, perhaps the most compelling reason to stay here is that Explorer Hotel Berchtesgaden is walking distance to Lake Königssee (20-minutes). It’s also a 4-minute walk to the Unterstein Schornbad bus stop, which has direct connections to Königssee, Jennerbahn, and Berchtesgaden.

Midrange | Hotel Bergheimat is a traditional Bavarian hotel, located a stone’s throw away from the Jennerbahn valley station and a 10-minute walk to Lake Königssee. Breakfast is included in the rate and dinner is available on-site.

Midrange | Stoll´s Hotel Alpina is a family-run, 3-star superior hotel with a restaurant, indoor and outdoor pool, and wellness area.

Luxury | Set in the hills above Schönau am Königssee, the 4-star Alm- & Wellnesshotel Alpenhof offers wonderful views, a rich breakfast, extensive wellness facilities, an indoor and outdoor pool, and on-site dining.

Look for accommodation in Schönau am Königssee.

Berchtesgaden

The Old Town of Berchtesgaden is a charming and lively destination filled with shops, restaurants, and beer gardens. There are two notable accommodations directly in the town center including Hotel EDELWEISS Berchtesgaden Superior (luxury) and Hotel AlpinaRos (midrange).

Just outside the town center, you’ll find Die schlafende Goass – Pub und Gästehaus (budget) and the alpine-modern Kulturhof Stanggass with an outdoor swimming pool (luxury).

Those seeking adults-only accommodations ought to check out Alpenhotel Fischer 4 Sterne (luxury).

If you’re craving a quiet mountain retreat with excellent facilities, check out Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden (luxury).

Look for accommodation in Berchtesgaden.

Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden

Ramsau bei Berchtegsaden is a Bergsteigerdorf (mountaineering village) and the entryway to Lake Hintersee and the Zauberwald (magic forest), Wimbachklamm gorge, and the Wimbachtal Valley.

The finest accommodation in the region is Berghotel Rehlegg, located in the heart of Ramsau near St. Sebastian’s Church. This alpine hotel offers sumptuous rooms, two swimming pools, saunas, spa treatments, and a delicious half board offering (breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate).

For a budget-friendly stay, take a look at Gästehaus Hinterponholz, situated between Ramsau and Lake Hintersee. Offering a playground and a petting zoo, this accommodation is ideal for families with children.

Look for accommodation in Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden.

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Bavarian Alps Travel Essentials

Bavarian Alps Road Trip

The best place to start a Bavarian Alps road trip is in Munich, where there’s an international airport. Here’s our recommended Bavarian Alps & Austrian Alps itinerary.

We recommend using the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals in Germany. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.

Tip: If you can only drive automatic transmission cars, as opposed to manual transmission cars (stick shift), book your car rental as early as possible.

Check car rental rates here.

Bavarian Alps Destinations

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Travel Guide | Best Things to Do in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Winter Travel | Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Winter

Hiking Guide | Best Hikes around Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Top Attractions | Lake Eibsee and Partnach Gorge

Top Hikes | Kreuzeck to Höllentalklamm Gorge Hike

Via Ferrata Routes | Alspitz Ferrata

Nearby Hikes | Hochplatte Hike (Ammergau Alps, Bavaria), Hoher Kranzberg Hike (Mittenwald, Bavaria), Rotmoosalm Hike (Wetterstein Mountains, Tyrol, Austria), Lake Drachensee (Mieminger Chain, Tyrol, Austria)

Guided Adventures in Bavaria

Day Trips from Munich| Full Day Tour to Germany’s Highest Peak: Zugspitze, Zugspitze Tour: Groups of 4 or More, and Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip

Bavaria Guidebooks and Maps

Travel Guidebook | Lonely Planet Munich, Bavaria & the Black Forest

Hiking Guidebook | Walking in the Bavarian Alps: 70 Mountain Walks and Treks in Southern Germany

Photography Gear

Camera Body | Sony Alpha a6400

Mid-range Zoom Lens | Tamron 17-70mm 2.8 Di III-A VC RXD

Wide angle Zoom Lens | Sony – E 10-18mm F4 OSS Wide-angle Zoom Lens

Backpack Camera Clip | Peak Design Camera Clip

Hiking in Berchtesgaden National Park, Bavaria, Germany

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