Berchtesgadener Land, Germany’s Hidden Gem
Planning a trip to Germany this summer? Then forget about the standard city break to Berlin or Cologne, everyone does that. Instead, be adventurous, get out into nature and head south towards the Bavarian Alps. To be exact Berchtesgadener Land!
Located in the south of Germany and bordering Austria, Berchtesgaden Land is in the heart of nature. The picturesque Bavarian Alps dominate the skyline with peaks over 2,500m, including Watzmann massif (2,713m) which towers majestically over Berchtesgaden National Park and the town of Berchtesgaden itself. But it’s not all about the mountains, the national park is also home to Lake Königssee famous for being the deepest lake in the Alps and home to the Roman Catholic pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomew’s on the lake’s western shore.
The whole area of Berchtesgadener land is a haven for walkers and mountain trekking and as you’re maybe aware this is something we both love doing. Not only is Berchtesgadener land a hikers paradise but it’s an ideal area for landscape and wildlife photography, thanks to the stunning scenery that includes lakes, alpine forests and of course mountains. It’s actually hard to take a bad photo, everywhere you turn there are endless opportunities for that perfect Instagram photo and this is one place where you will definitely not need to add a fancy filter.
This is why we are taking part in the Inntravel #NoFIlterAdventure campaign, we want to show you why a trip to Berchtesgadener Land is far better than a German city break. We fully believe that heading out into nature, breathing in fresh mountain air and exercise is far superior to being stuck in a city surrounded by traffic and thousands of other people. Not convinced? Then read on….
6 Reasons why Berchtesgadener Land is better than a City Break…
Discover the wildlife in Berchtesgaden National Park
Due to the bio-diversity, Berchtesgaden National Park is abundant with wildlife. From the European Bison, which can weigh up to 900kg grazing on the lower slopes to the Chamois, an Alpine mountain goat scrambling up the side of the mountain face. If you are lucky you may even spot the rare golden eagle, but if luck is not on your side other species of eagles and falcons are regularly spotted. Other species to keep an eye out for is the alpine marmot, salamander and blue hare.
Visit the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine
The Berchtesgaden salt mine provided much of Berchtesgaden towns wealth since it was created in the 1500s. The town is immensely proud of their mining heritage and opened the mine to become a fully fledged attraction for locals and visitors. Visitors to the mine get to suit up in mining overalls and board the train that takes them into the depths of the mine. There are many antique pieces of mining equipment on display, some in great condition. Head further into the mine to be greeted with a stunning mirror lake, an attraction in its own right.
Go walking in the breathtaking Berchtesgaden National Park
The hiking paradise of Berchtesgadener Land is home to some of the most picturesque walks in Europe. You’ll be surrounded by alpine forests and towering peaks of the Bavarian Alps, with a range of trails to choose from you, will know doubt find your perfect walk. Some of the more popular walks like the Wimbach Gorge walk and the Blaueishütte walk can be completed as part of a longer self-guided walking holiday. Inntravel have put together an amazing 7-day itinerary called ‘Where eagles soar’ which provides you with a great selection of walks throughout Berchtesgadener Land, taking in the range of stunning scenery and a chance to visit some picturesque Bavarian towns. Want to find out more, click here Inntravel – Where Eagles Soar .
Admire the views from the “Eagles Nest’
Kehlsteinhaus ‘the eagle’s nest’ was offered to Adolf Hitler as a gift on his 50th birthday with the aim to use it as a place to host official guests. However, due to his fear of heights, it was hardly used. After the war, the eagle’s nest was spared from being blown up and is now open to the public and can be viewed in its original form. The walk to the eagle’s nest is spectacular itself but once you’ve arrived you are presented with panoramic views of up to 200km across the Bavarian Alps, an ideal place to get a bird’s eye view of the region and some spectacular photos.
Sail across Königssee Lake
A couple miles south of the town of Berchtesgaden sits the emerald green Lake Königssee, Germany’s deepest and cleanest. Just inside Berchtesgaden National Park, the lake can be reached from a short ten-minute walk from the parking lot or part of a longer walk through Berchtesgaden National Park. Visitors can catch one of the quiet electric boats that glide along the lake, passing vertical mountain walls arriving at the Roman Catholic pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomew of the lake’s western shore. Due to its location and surroundings, there is no pathway around the lake so taking the boat is the only way to properly explore the lake, which is highly recommended.
Take a stroll around the German towns of Berchtesgadener Land
Berchtesgadener land has many charming little mountain towns and villages to explore with Berchtesgaden, Bad Reichenhall and Freilassing being the more popular choices for visitors. Each town has its own unique character and it’s worth taking time to explore each one. Berchtesgaden is famous for having the Watzmann, Germany’s third highest mountain as its backdrop and its close proximity to the salt mine and Königssee lake. Bad Reichenhall is a spa town located close to Salzburg and is the traditional centre of salt production while Freilassing is home to the biggest population in Berchtesgadener land and classed as a suburb of Salzburg which is just over the border in Austria.
Hopefully, by now you’ve been convinced to swap your German city break for a trip to Berchtesgadener Land, for us it’s a no-brainer, we would choose a trip to Berchtesgadener Land every time. Who wouldn’t want to spend time in the outdoors surrounded by mountains, wildlife, and fresh air?
Have you ever visited Berchtesgadener Land and walked in the National Park, we would love to hear your experiences and what you thought, leave a comment in the section below.
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