Experience the history of salt underground in Berchtesgadener Land: at the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, visitors cross the Mirror Lake on a raft, 130 metres below ground, and see glittering salt crystals. The mine has been active for over 500 years. It illustrates the present-day journey of the brine—from its extraction in the mine and transport to Bad Reichenhall to its processing into high-quality table salt. Here, a special visitor experience combines with an insight into the region’s industrial history.

From gentle hills to mountain scenery

Berchtesgadener Land lies in the southeast of Upper Bavaria and stretches from the gently rolling Rupertiwinkel in the north to Berchtesgaden National Park on the border with Austria. In the south, the landscape is shaped by high-alpine mountain scenery and the natural setting around Lake Königssee. The Berchtesgadener Land Biosphere Region encompasses the entire district of Berchtesgadener Land.

Trails, gorges and views

Berchtesgaden National Park offers a varied network of hiking trails and alpine routes spanning 260 kilometres. The Klausbachhaus, at the entrance to the Klausbach Valley in the national park community of Ramsau, is a specific starting point for excursions. Many hikes into the national park begin there; a barrier-free circular trail also starts at the house.

The panoramic trail around the Haus der Berge also combines nature themes with sweeping views: materials and plants from the four habitats of water, forest, alpine pasture and rock can be experienced there. The trail also offers views of the Watzmann, Hochkalter and Jenner. The landscape and its habitats are thus brought together in the experience.

The Wimbachklamm gorge in Ramsau can be explored on a short walking trail. The trail is around 200 metres long and leads over bridges and walkways along steep rock faces. The hike through the Almbachklamm gorge offers a different experience: 29 bridges and walkways, 320 steps and a tunnel blasted into the rock lead through the deep gorge. Almbachklamm is open seasonally; closures due to weather are possible. Check current opening information before your visit.

If you would like to explore the region by bike, you can use the Berchtesgaden Radstern as your guide. Four signposted routes radiate out from Berchtesgaden through the Berchtesgaden Valley. The four options share a starting point but follow different routes through the valley.

Churches, history and special places

Built in 1134, the pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomew is located on the Hirschau peninsula in Berchtesgaden National Park, on Lake Königssee. The church can be reached by boat from Schönau am Königssee. When planning your trip, check whether the service suits your chosen date. High above Berchtesgaden, the Kehlsteinhaus offers a different perspective on the area: it is an excursion destination with panoramic views of the mountains and an insight into history.

The Obersalzberg Documentation Centre offers a multimedia exploration of the history of Obersalzberg and the Nazi dictatorship. The historic bunker complex is also accessible as part of its permanent exhibition. At the Royal Castle of Berchtesgaden, discoveries include valuable art collections and the deer collection of Duke Albrecht of Bavaria. The small rose garden may also be visited, depending on the weather.

Distilling tradition in Unterau

During opening hours, the Grassl Distillery visitor centre in Unterau offers a signposted tour about the distillation of gentian, juniper, gin and masterwort. The tour also includes a free tasting of 40 specialities. Check opening hours and tasting options before your visit so that your plans match the visitor arrangements.

Choose your priorities when looking for accommodation

If you first decide what interests you most, you can tailor your search to the experiences you have planned without having to set a fixed order for your visits.

Discover more destinations

Bad Reichenhall, Bayerisch Gmain, Berchtesgaden, Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, Bischofswiesen, Schönau am Königssee, Piding, Laufen, Marktschellenberg, Freilassing, Anger, Ainring, Schneizlreuth, Weißbach a.d.Alpenstraße, Teisendorf, Saaldorf-Surheim, Eck

See the regional travel overview: Bavaria.