The Berchtesgaden National Park is a protected area in the Bavarian Alps. The Königssee and the rugged rock faces of the Watzmann are well known.
background
history
landscape
Flora and fauna
climate
The park is located in the transition area from the oceanic to the continental climate.
Due to the extreme height differences in the protected area of over 2000 m, there are large differences in temperature. While the annual mean in the valley is still a cozy 6 ° C - 8 ° C, it is significantly cooler in the high areas (mean annual temperature of -4 ° C - 2 ° C). The cold pole of the area is by the way in the mountain depression of the Funtensee (see also the official website for Funtensee)
Most of the precipitation falls in summer. 38% of the annual precipitation comes down in the months of June, July and August. November, on the other hand, is the driest month.
More detailed information on the climate can be found on the national park website here to find.
getting there
In the street
- From Munich: Autobahn A8 to Freilassing. From here via Bad Reichenhall to Berchtesgaden.
- In addition to the large car park at Königssee, there are also car parking spaces at the entrance to the Wimbach Valley and at the Hintersee near Ramsau. All places are Charges apply.
By train
With the long-distance train to Salzburg or Freilassing. From here with the regional train Bad Reichenhall to Berchtesgaden.
Alternatively, Berchtesgaden can be reached from Salzburg can also be reached by bus via Marktschellenberg.
Places in the area of the national park
- Berchtesgaden (550-650 m), spa, culture, tourism and winter sports.
- Schoenau upon Kings sea (630 m), winter sports community and climatic health resort directly on the famous lake.
- Bischofswiesen (610 m), winter sports and hiking.
- Ramsau (670 m), Alpine idyll with a parish church that has been photographed a lot and the district Hintersee (789 m) on the lake of the same name, alpine idyll with the Klausbachtal and the wild and romantic magic forest.
fees
- The area is freely accessible
mobility
on foot
Most of the reserve is only accessible on foot, and there are more than 230 km of hiking trails in the national park.
To go biking
There are also some approved forest roads for mountain bikers and touring cyclists. Worthwhile tours are e.g. trips to the Kührointalm or especially to the Gotzenalm. In the Hinterbichl valley from Ramsau you can also cycle beautifully on the paved, traffic-free road.
The Wimbachtal, on the other hand, is closed to bicycles. Please also accept the driving ban as a mountain bike enthusiast, as the paths are heavily used by pedestrians during the main visiting hours. In order to really enjoy the majesty of the rugged alpine mountains in the Wimbachtal, the bicycle is not the right means of transport anyway. For this you need the slowness of hiking.
Passenger shipping on the Koenigssee
A boat trip on the historic electric boats Königseeschifffahrt For many, it is part of the standard program of a visit to the national park. The famous Königssee echo can be heard on the drive to St. Bartholomä. It is produced with a trumpet. There are breaks in the journey at the St. Bartholomä and Obersee stations.
Tourist Attractions
- Koenigssee With 1 Pilgrimage Church of St. Bartholomä on Lake Koenigssee, 2 Ice chapel below the Watzmannostwand and 3 Obersee.
- 4 Watzmann - famous and imposing
- 5 Hochkalter - "Brother" of the Watzmann
- 7 Stone sea with Funtensee, huge karst area in the south of the region and in parts already in Austria.
- 8 Wimbachtal, wild high valley between Watzmann and Hochkalter with the end of the valley and access at Ramsau, and only accessible on foot;
- Klausbachtal, Mountain valley between Hochkalter and Reiteralpe with the end of the valley and access at Hintersee, closed to public vehicle traffic.
- 9 Kührointalm and Ark pulpit - The Alm can be found at an altitude of 1400 m on the northern slope of the Watzmann massif. Of the 10 Ark pulpit At 1346 m you have an overwhelming view of the valley to the Königssee 750 m below and St. Bartholomä. Various hiking trails lead to the Kühroinaltm. Furthermore, there is also the possibility of riding on gravel farm roads by bike. The paths are suitable for touring bikes, but you should have a mountain-compatible gearshift and good touring profile tires. With the touring pedelec it is of course easier, as there are around 800 meters of altitude to be overcome from the Berchtesgaden valley basin. As a cyclist, you can ride to the end of the road just before the Archenkanzel. From here it's only a 300 m walk to the lookout point.
Jenner
11 The 1874 m high Jenner is certainly the most famous vantage point in the Berchtesgaden National Park. And rightly so, because the alpine vantage point allows a unique view of the high alpine backdrop of the Berchtesgaden Alps. Of Schoenau upon Kings sea the mountain is made accessible to non-mountain hikers by a 2-person small cabin lift. The train takes you to an altitude of 1,800 m in 20 minutes. From here you can climb an uncomplicated footpath that only has a few steps in about 10 to 15 minutes to the viewing platform just below the summit. From up here there is a fantastic view of the low-lying Königssee and the Watzmann enthroned above it with its 2000 m high east face. In the south you can see the Steinerene Meer, which borders the national park towards Austria. In the north, on the other hand, the view extends into the vast valley basin of the Berchtesgadener Land. The striking Untersberg towers over the valley.
An attractive mountain hike "one floor higher" is the ascent of the 2276 m high 12 Schneibsteins from the Jenner. It is around 2½ to 3 hours from the Jennerbahn mountain station Walking time easy at around 500 meters above sea level. The stony, moderately difficult mountain path is also passable for hikers who are not free from vertigo. Sturdy footwear is compulsory as the path is quite stony (it is best to use telescopic hiking sticks). At the top there is an overwhelming panoramic view of the Berchtesgaden Alps as a reward.
- For more information, such as opening times and fares for the cable car, see the page on Jennerbahn.
activities
- Mountain hiking - There are a total of 230 km of hiking trails and mountain paths in the Berchtesgaden National Park. The extensive network meets all requirements, from simple walks in the valley to multi-day, high-alpine hut tours.
- The national park is a popular one Ski touring area, the tour to the Watzmannkar is a real classic.
- However, the environmentally conscious ski mountaineer is bound by the requirements for nature conservation, the information on this topic on site should therefore be observed, especially in order to protect the quiet areas of mountain game in winter. The company of a professional guide is highly recommended.
shop
kitchen
accommodation
Mountain huts
Hut lists see article Watzmann and Stone sea
Hotels and hostels
There is a rich and varied range of guest beds in hotels, guest houses and holiday apartments in the municipalities at the park. For more information, see corresponding local articles.
camping
Camping in the wild is not permitted in the national park.
You can find a campsite near the park, for example. B. in Schönau am Königsee with the Grafenlehen campsite. The site is only about 1 km from the jetty on foot Koenigssee and the valley station of the Jennerbahn away.
security
Practical advice
Information points of the Berchtesgaden National Park are.
- The National Park House in Berchtesgaden is the central contact point of the national park with exhibitions, films, literature, information brochures etc.
- The House of the Mountains in Berchtesgaden was reopened in May 2013, in the modern building, among other things, an information and education center and a "green classroom" are set up.
