The last stages of our trip through Germany passed through mountainous areas of the Bavarian Alps from Berchtesgaden to Füssen. As we have already seen in a preceding article, it is best known for the famous Eagle’s Nest, although this town and its surroundings hide many other treasures. In this post, we review the most important visits you can make if you travel to this side of the world. Something that we highly recommend, by the way.
Eagle’s Nest
As I said, we already talked about it in this post, where you can find more detailed information. The Kehlsteinhaus is a chalet given in 1939 to Adolf Hitler that served as the Führer’s retirement home. After World War II, it was one of the few places related to the Nazis that remained standing. Located next to the Hoher Göll, one of the highest peaks in the Bavarian Alps, TThe Eagle’s Nest has been converted into a restaurant. Today attracts many tourists for its historical interest and spectacular views over the nearby valleys, lakes, and mountains.
Königsee Lake and St. Bartholomew’s Church
Very close to Berchtesgaden, you can get close to the famous Königsee Lake (King’s Lake). One of the most popular activities there is to take one of the ferries that cross it to various highlights, such as St. Bartholomä (St. Bartholomew’s Church) or the secluded Obersee Lake. Unless you want to walk a lot (about 8km one way to the church or 14 to the lake), the boat is the only way to discover these places. Check the official website for schedules and prices.
Berchtesgaden Salt Mines
One of the other fantastic sights of the area is the Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden. These salt mines have been an essential source of income for the region since 1517 and are still active. Tourists can visit them, and they are very popular with families with children. In addition to two slides of 35 and 40 meters, visitors can enjoy a 1.5 km train ride through the interior and a boat ride on a subway lake. On the official website, you can check schedules, prices, and other details of interest (for example, the average temperature inside is 12ºC, and you will be provided with a monkey at the entrance).
Ramsau and Lake Hintersee
Very close to Berchtesgaden, there is a place that you should visit as soon as your plan allows it. We refer to Ramsau, an idyllic village where you can enjoy a quiet walk with a postcard backdrop. Photos like the one we took of the river and the church of St. Sebastian illustrate the covers of some German guidebooks. Of course, there is not much to do there, so we suggest you continue your way to Hintersee lake. There is not much activity there either (on the contrary, we were walking alone). Still, it is another place where you will enjoy a peaceful environment and take some beautiful pictures.
Mount Jenner
If you choose to travel by ferry from Lake Königsee, you will be interested to know that there is the possibility to buy a combined ticket to use the Jennerbahn*. This funicular will take you to the top of Mount Jenner (1800m) for great views in the heart of the Berchtesgaden National Park. At the top, there are restaurants and a wide range of leisure activities depending on the season, from hiking (the minimum is a walk to the viewpoint) to paragliding and skiing—more info on the official website.
