Holiday in Königssee

About Königssee

The Königssee in the Berchtesgaden National Park is one of the cleanest and most beautiful mountain lakes in Germany. The emerald green water of the fjord-like lake stretches over eight kilometers in length and up to 190 meters in depth between steep rock faces that rise up to 1,800 meters above the lake's surface. The strict nature conservation regulations ensure that since 1909, only electrically powered excursion boats are allowed to navigate the lake. The famous boat trip first leads to the pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomew, whose red onion domes create an iconic postcard motif against the dramatic backdrop of the Watzmann East Face. Along the way, the boat captain demonstrates the legendary Königssee echo by playing a trumpet against the rock wall — a magical moment that has delighted visitors for generations. At the southern end of the lake lies the even more remote Obersee, a small natural gem that can only be reached on foot via a picturesque path. A spectacular waterfall plunges 470 meters down from the Röthwand here. The Fischunkelalm at Obersee is one of the most secluded and romantic alpine pastures in the Bavarian Alps. Hikers will find routes around the Königssee for every level of difficulty: from the easy lakeside promenade in Schönau to the challenging Watzmann crossing, one of the classic high-altitude tours of the Eastern Alps. The Malerwinkel circular trail offers the famous view over the lake's surface. The National Park Information Center in Schönau am Königssee prepares visitors for the natural experience.