Holiday in Berchtesgadener Land

About Berchtesgadener Land

The Berchtesgadener Land in the far southeast of Bavaria is one of the most spectacular alpine landscapes in Germany. The Berchtesgaden National Park, Germany's only alpine national park, protects a primordial landscape of rugged limestone walls, turquoise lakes, roaring waterfalls, and species-rich alpine meadows. At its center stands the Watzmann (2,713 m), Germany's third-highest mountain and one of the most legendary peaks of the Alps. The Königssee is the crown jewel of the region: 8 kilometers long, up to 190 meters deep, and surrounded by cliffs up to 2,000 meters high, it is considered one of the cleanest and most beautiful lakes in Europe. The electrically powered excursion boats glide silently over the emerald green water to the pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomew, where the boatman demonstrates the famous echo — the trumpet sounds reverberate sevenfold from the walls. The Berchtesgaden Salt Mine is one of the oldest active salt mines in the world (since 1517) and offers a fascinating underground tour: visitors slide down wooden slides into the depths, cross an underground salt lake by boat, and learn why Berchtesgaden lived off the white gold for centuries. The dark history of the region includes the Obersalzberg, Hitler's former mountain retreat, and the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagles Nest) at 1,834 meters. The Obersalzberg documentation presents the history of the Nazi regime factually and impressively. The Kehlsteinhaus itself now features a restaurant with one of the most spectacular alpine panoramas ever — accessed via a 124-meter-long tunnel and a brass-clad elevator.