A walk in Piding can combine scenery and learning: On the Piding Bee Trail, mixed woodland, fruit trees and flower meadows lead to the Berggasthof Johannishögl; along the way, visitors learn about the importance of bees to natural and cultural landscapes, food and health. Other options include a circular hike with panoramic views, a via ferrata on the Hochstaufen and several cultural highlights. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between these different types of outings and the fixed date of 24 June.
Trails and Views Around Piding
The Piding Bee Trail is an enjoyable walking route for the whole family. It leads from the Neubichler Alm through mixed woodland, past fruit trees and across flower meadows to the Berggasthof Johannishögl. Along the way, visitors can learn about the importance of bees to natural and cultural landscapes, as well as to food and health. The route thus combines features of the landscape with a clear educational theme.
The Högler circular trail starts at the Högler Straße hiking car park in Piding and leads to the small monuments Haasen-Taferl and Högl-Steinbruch. The circular route offers panoramic views of the Berchtesgaden mountains. This gives visitors two different options: the Bee Trail focuses on bees and their importance, while the Högler circular trail features small monuments and views. The Gasthof Johannishögl stands on the Högl in Piding and offers views across all of Salzburg.
For a different kind of outing, the Piding via ferrata runs along the north-facing cliffs of the Hochstaufen. It can be reached from Piding or Urwies via a forest road followed by a hiking trail. Check current route conditions before climbing; local access restrictions may change. This makes it easy to distinguish planning for the via ferrata from planning for a walk or circular hike.
Churches, Traditions and a Nativity Scene
St. John’s Church on the Johannishögl in Piding brings together several architectural features: it has 14th-century frescoes and Romanesque walls, as well as a Late Gothic vault and a Baroque tower. Those interested in architectural history will find several different periods represented in a single church.
Every year on 24 June, the church’s patronal feast is celebrated at the Johannishögl, followed by the church consecration festival at the neighboring inn after the service. A traditional St. John’s bonfire is then lit and kept burning until evening. The Feast of St. John thus marks a fixed date, separate from the trails, which can be planned independently.
Since 2013, the Alte Pfarrhof above the Piding Tourist Information Office has housed the year-round nativity scene designed by Wally Nitzinger in an Alpine style. It includes more than 220 figures and 60 birds, as well as native wildlife such as chamois, deer and ibex. While the architecture and frescoes take center stage at St. John’s Church, figures and animal depictions define the nativity scene.
Regional Products and Getting There
Regional products are also closely connected to Piding: At the Berchtesgadener Land dairy’s production site in Piding, the milk shop offers the dairy’s own specialties, regional delicacies and fair-trade products. Piding also has its own railway station on the Freilassing–Berchtesgaden line. For specific train travel plans, check timetables and connections for your travel dates.
The Berchtesgadener Land: The Wider Region
The Berchtesgadener Land in southeastern Upper Bavaria stretches from the gently rolling Rupertiwinkel in the north to Berchtesgaden National Park on the border with Austria. In the south, high Alpine mountain landscapes and the natural setting around Lake Königssee shape the region. The Berchtesgadener Land Biosphere Region encompasses the entire district. Berchtesgaden National Park offers a varied network of hiking trails and Alpine routes spanning 260 kilometers.
Another example in the Berchtesgadener Land is the Almbach Gorge. The hike passes over 29 bridges and walkways, 320 steps and a tunnel blasted through the rock. Seasonal openings and weather-related closures may change; check conditions before your visit. This helps keep the distinction clear between specific destinations in Piding and the wider range of attractions in the region.
Discover more destinations: Bayerisch Gmain, Schönau am Königssee, Marktschellenberg, Ainring, Berchtesgaden, Teisendorf, Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, Laufen.
Return to the main travel overview: Berchtesgadener Land.
