ベルヒテスガーデン探索 | 秘密の湖、ヒトラーのイーグルズネスト、アルプスのトレイルを巡る4日間

ベルヒテスガーデン探索 | 秘密の湖、ヒトラーのイーグルズネスト、アルプスのトレイルを巡る4日間

In the deep south of Germany, nestled 
among the towering peaks of the Alps, lies a region where wild nature, a turbulent 
history, and adventure come together. Sheer mountain cliffs, mirror-like lakes, hidden trails, and dramatic gorges make this 
a place you simply can’t afford to miss. In this video, I’ll take you 
to the most beautiful places this southern region of Germany has to offer. I visited this beautiful region for four 
days at the end of June and started right away with one of the most historic landmarks 
in the area: the hike to the Eagle’s Nest. From the Ofnerboden parking lot, the 
route is about 6 kilometers long, with an elevation gain of around 700 meters. Just before the top, you reach the bus station, 
because yes, it’s also possible to take a bus and then ride the beautiful brass elevator at the 
end of the long tunnel up to the Kehlsteinhaus. I chose to hike the entire way up on 
foot, including the final kilometer. Once at the top, the view is truly 
breathtaking. From this point, you can see a large part of the 
region, including the Königssee. At over 1,800 meters above sea 
level stands the Kehlsteinhaus, built in 1938 as a gift 
for Hitler’s 50th birthday. Due to its remote location, construction was 
technically very challenging and extremely costly. The house was intended as 
a representative reception space for diplomats, but Hitler 
himself only visited a few times. Because the symbolic importance of the site 
remained relatively small, and because of its tourism potential, it was not destroyed after 
the war, unlike many other Nazi structures. It’s a unique experience to walk through this 
building, which now serves as a restaurant. On the sun terrace, there’s an 
exhibition about the wartime period, and inside, you’ll find historical 
photos of Hitler at the site. This makes walking through the building not only 
impressive, but also quite emotionally charged. As beautiful as the surroundings are, the place 
clearly reflects a darker chapter in history. From the house, you can hike 
further up to the mountain’s summit and continue with a scenic 
loop walk of several kilometers. This rugged and stunning area 
is definitely worth a visit, allowing you to truly take 
in this extraordinary place. I took the same trail back down and arrived 
at the parking lot about four hours later. This parking area is located along 
one of the most beautiful mountain roads in Germany: the Rossfeld Panoramastraße. With a total length of over 15 kilometers 
and a highest point of 1,570 meters, it is the highest panoramic toll road in Germany. Along the way, you’ll find several 
parking spots with stunning viewpoints, from which you can also start beautiful hikes. The road was originally partially 
constructed as part of the planned Alpine Route of the Third Reich, but it 
wasn’t completed until the 1950s and 60s. The toll fee is €9.50 per car, but 
since you’re free to park anywhere along the route to explore and 
hike, it’s well worth the price. Not far from the northern end of this road, I ended the day with one last 
hike through the Almbachklamm. This trail winds through a stunning gorge, following steep rock walls via 
stairs, bridges, and wooden walkways. The many waterfalls, narrow passages, and turquoise waters make this one of the 
most spectacular short hikes in the region. The full loop is about 6 kilometers long, 
with an elevation gain of 200 meters, and takes roughly one and a 
half to two hours to complete. The first paths here were built in the early 1800s for timber transport and were later 
expanded and made safer for tourism. If you love nature and hiking, this is a 
spot you simply can’t miss during your visit. I started my second day on the shores of the 
Königssee for a long hike through the mountains. To reach the trailhead, I 
took the Jennerbahn cable car from the village up to the mountain station. This lift is relatively new, it was 
built in 2017 to replace the old one, and takes you to the top in about 11 minutes. From the station, you can take a short 
walk to the summit of the Jenner, where a breathtaking view awaits. At an elevation of 1,874 meters above sea 
level, nature reveals itself at its finest. From here, you also have a stunning view of the 
Königssee, surrounded by steep limestone cliffs. Back at the mountain station, I began 
the long trek toward the Schneibstein. The trail first descends several hundred meters, 
before climbing about 600 meters up to the summit. One special feature of this hike is that part 
of the route runs along the border with Austria, offering spectacular views of the 
nearby Austrian mountain ranges. The broad, flat summit offers a panoramic 
view of the rugged landscape all around. From there, I continued my route southward. Although the trails were in good condition, 
there was still snow alongside the path. With the warm weather and many sunny kilometers, grabbing a handful of snow to cool 
off felt incredibly refreshing. As I continued, the route 
became more and more beautiful. The alpine landscape here is truly 
breathtaking. Narrow paths led me about 4 kilometers to a hidden gem in 
the mountains: the stunning Seeleinsee. This unique alpine lake, 
measuring about 110 by 50 meters, has no visible outflow and is situated 
at over 1,800 meters above sea level. Surrounded by towering limestone 
peaks, it’s a wonderfully peaceful and idyllic spot—perfect for a 
break after a demanding hike. For me, this marked the southernmost point of the route, and from here a steep and 
challenging forest descent began. After a short rest at the Priesbergalm, I hiked the final 7 kilometers back down 
to the valley station of the cable car. In total, this route covers just over 
21 kilometers, and including breaks, it took me more than 9 hours to complete. It’s a demanding hike, with around 800 
meters of ascent and 1,800 meters of descent. I highly recommend taking the very 
first gondola up, just like I did, so you can enjoy a full day immersed in 
this stunning, rugged piece of nature. After two days of long hikes, I took 
things a bit easier on the third day and visited the spa town of Bad Reichenhall, 
located in the northern part of the region. This charming town is known for its healing salt 
springs, salt production, and historic old town. Salt extraction began here 
more than 2,000 years ago, and in the 19th century, interest grew in 
salt inhalation and therapeutic brine baths. This also led to the creation 
of the Königlicher Kurgarten, a royal spa garden developed under 
the direction of King Maximilian II. It’s a true oasis within the town, featuring 
Mediterranean touches and stately trees. One of the most remarkable 
features is the Gradierhaus, an open-air inhalation facility measuring 
160 meters long and 13 meters high. Here, highly concentrated brine cascades 
over a wall of blackthorn twigs, creating a fine salt mist 
that visitors can breathe in. Scientific studies have shown 
that just 30 minutes in this environment can help refresh 
and clear the upper airways. Next to this impressive structure 
is the Wandelhalle, where you’ll find the elegant Kaiser Karl Fountain. But the park itself is also stunning: with its 
many flowers, fountains, and architectural gems, it’s a serene space where nature, 
health, and culture come together. Because the park is free to visit, 
it’s the perfect place to relax at any time of day—which is especially welcome 
after two intense days in the mountains. The historic center of Bad Reichenhall 
mostly dates back to the 19th century. In November 1834, a devastating 
fire swept through the town. Schools, the hospital, and 
churches were destroyed, and only 24 of the more than 
300 houses remained standing. The fire was so intense that even money had 
melted and the cobblestones had burned into lime. The king ordered the town to be rebuilt, with 
a strong focus on modernizing salt production. This led to the construction of the old 
saltworks, which can still be visited today. Construction began in 1837, and today it is the 
oldest surviving inland saltworks in Europe. A guided tour of around 45 minutes 
starts at the enormous water wheels, each with a diameter of 13 meters. These wheels have been turning continuously since 
1846, powered by water from the alpine valleys. From there, the tour continues 
into underground tunnels, where you can see clearly how different 
sections were added over time. Inside the tunnels is an ingenious 
mechanical system that transfers the motion of the water wheels through shafts 
and gears to piston pumps deep underground. These pumps bring the concentrated 
brine up from a natural spring. The brine contains about 27 percent salt, compared 
to only three and a half percent in seawater. It was once used to produce table salt, but today 
it serves primarily for therapeutic inhalation. Walking through this historic tunnel system, where white gold has been extracted 
for centuries, is a unique experience. At the end of the tour, a small 
exhibition offers deeper insight into the salt production process 
and how the salt is used today. One of the highlights is the natural 
cave you enter near the end of the route. It was discovered in 1795 during 
the search for new salt springs. When the saltworks were built around 1837, part of the cave was reinforced with brick 
walls and vaulted ceilings to prevent collapse. Since 1929, salt production has 
taken place at a new facility. The original site now supplies brine 
exclusively to the nearby spa complex. This old industrial heritage, so 
closely connected to the spa tradition, is something you definitely shouldn’t miss 
during your visit to this remarkable town. The exhibition also gives a clear 
impression of what the town once looked like, complete with city walls and towers. Some of these historic structures 
have been preserved to this day. Just outside the old town center, you’ll find 
Gruttenstein Castle and the Pulverturm Tower. Both were built in the 13th century 
as part of the town’s fortifications. This medieval city wall was constructed to 
protect the salt production and the town itself, clearly showing just how important the 
salt springs were during the Middle Ages. Although the town itself is beautiful, 
the surroundings are just as breathtaking. Heading west, I made a stop at 
the Wallfahrtskirche St. Pankraz. Perched on a rocky plateau 145 meters 
above the valley just outside the town, it offers a stunning view of 
the surrounding landscape. The church can be reached via a path with 264 
steps and was first mentioned in records in 1427. The current Baroque building was 
completed in 1686 and constructed to accommodate the large number 
of pilgrims who visited the site. About 150 years later, it was nearly 
demolished due to its deteriorating condition, but local resistance 
prevented that from happening. Later, it was discovered that the church 
was the wealthiest in the entire region. Its assets were estimated at 
what would now be over five million euros—an extraordinary amount 
for such a small pilgrimage church. While it once thrived with visitors, it is now 
rarely open to the public and mostly inaccessible. Next to the church is another remarkable 
site: the ruins of Karlstein Castle. Built in 1150, it fell into 
decay in the 17th century. The ruins can still be visited 
today via a separate stairway. After a brief stop at the nearby Thumsee, 
the weather began to turn and rain set in. I continued on to another 
remarkable lake: the Hintersee. Between rain showers, I walked 
the trail that circles this small, idyllic lake—a route of 
just under three kilometers. The lake was formed around 4,000 years ago, when 15 million cubic meters of rock came 
crashing down and created a natural dam. Originally, the lake was much larger, but due to 
modifications to the Klausbach stream around 1900, it now covers only about a 
third of its original size. Walking around the lake, it’s easy to see 
why this place has been loved for centuries. In the 19th century, several 
landscape painters came here to capture the crystal-clear water and the 
dramatic mountain backdrop in their work. At the end of the day, I drove 
one last scenic mountain route and made a short stop at Scharitzkehlalm. Nestled beneath steep rock faces, this is a place 
well worth visiting—especially in the evening, when a serene calm settles over the valley and the sound of grazing cows’ bells 
echoes gently through the air. From above, the beauty of the surrounding 
landscape becomes even more apparent. As evening fell, I made one final 
visit to the town of Berchtesgaden, located in the heart of the 
region that shares its name. I started at the Christuskirche, completed 
in 1899 in neo-Gothic style. While there are many churches in this town, it remains the only 
Evangelical Lutheran church in Berchtesgaden. Much of the neo-Gothic interior was 
removed during renovations in the 1960s, but the church still retains its charm. From the church, I followed a 
walking path that climbs along the steep rock walls and offers 
a wonderful view over the town. This route was once used to carry brine 
pipelines from Berchtesgaden to Reichenhall. The town itself has a cozy, atmospheric 
center with beautifully decorated facades, inviting cafés, and lively shopping streets. The most remarkable building 
is Schloss Berchtesgaden, originally founded in 1102 as a monastery. It was later expanded into a princely abbey with 
territorial power over the surrounding lands. In later centuries, the castle served as 
a royal hunting lodge for the Bavarian royal family and still functions today as the 
summer residence of the House of Wittelsbach, descendants of the Bavarian 
monarchy that was abolished in 1918. Even in the evening, the town remains lively, with 
music, full terraces, and a cheerful atmosphere, although unfortunately, I still had to 
deal with a few passing rain showers. Berchtesgaden is a town you 
absolutely shouldn’t miss, whether during the day or in the evening, 
there’s always something to experience. The final day of my visit to this 
beautiful part of Germany has arrived. Over the past few days, I’ve seen many 
stunning places, but Berchtesgadener Land is perhaps best known for one in particular: the 
Königssee, where I’m about to take a boat trip. This lake is around 7.7 kilometers 
long and is considered one of the most beautiful and iconic lakes in Germany. Surrounded by steep, rising mountains, 
the landscape feels almost fjord-like, no surprise that it’s part of a national park. On the way, the boat makes a short stop to 
demonstrate the famous echo of the Königssee. A trumpet is played, and you hear the sound 
echo multiple times across the silent water. It’s a special moment on this 
remarkably peaceful lake. After about 35 minutes, I get 
off at St. Bartholomew’s Church, located halfway down the lake, although you 
can also continue to the far end by boat. This iconic Baroque chapel, dating from 1697, is 
one of the most photographed spots in the region. Unfortunately, it was still closed 
during my early morning visit. Next to the church stands the former hunting 
lodge of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg, which was later used by Bavarian royalty. Instead of taking the boat back, I decide to hike 
through the mountains to return to the village. It’s a long trek, but as I climb higher, the views of the lake and surrounding 
peaks only become more impressive. The route itself becomes more adventurous too, with steel steps guiding you 
up along steep rock walls. Walking along narrow paths, in beautiful weather, 
with views like these, it’s pure enjoyment. The climb, however, is tough. 
After about six kilometers, I reach the highest point, located 
roughly 800 meters above the lake. Although the entire trail offers stunning 
vistas, the viewpoint here is a perfect place to take a break and soak in the scenery 
with a real sense of accomplishment. The second part of the route is flatter, 
and the descent begins gradually. I make a stop at a beatifull 
alpine hut for a short break, where the view is once again breathtaking. A small chapel nearby stands quietly 
against the mountain backdrop, dedicated to all those who lost their 
lives in the Berchtesgaden Alps. Before starting the long descent, I take a short 
detour to climb one final peak: the Grünstein. At an altitude of over 1,300 meters, it offers 
panoramic views of the region and a clear view of the northern end of the lake and the village 
of Schönau am Königssee, where the boats depart. After a steep and strenuous descent, I 
arrive back in the village. Along the way, I pass the old dam, originally built in 1560. After being destroyed by floods, it was rebuilt in stone in 1797 and 
later renovated in the 20th century. Schönau am Königssee is the 
largest tourist destination in the region and also the southernmost 
municipality in all of Germany. It’s the perfect place to relax after a hike through the mountains that 
took more than seven hours. With this iconic boat ride and mountain hike, my journey through this beautiful southern 
region of Germany sadly comes to an end. It’s a place I last visited about 13 years ago, and now I’ve finally had the 
chance to explore it in depth. And while I already knew it was a beautiful 
area, it has truly exceeded all my expectations. Beyond the well-known highlights, there 
are so many hidden gems to discover here. If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget 
to give it a like and subscribe to my channel so you won’t miss the next 
part of my journey through the Alps. In the next video, I’ll take you along 
the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, one of the most stunning panoramic 
mountain routes in all of Europe. Thanks for watching, and see you soon!

In this video, I explore the Berchtesgaden Alps in southern Germany, home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Bavarian Alps. From the crystal-clear waters of the Königssee to remote alpine trails, mountain summits, and historic landmarks like Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, this 4-day trip is the ultimate combination of nature, adventure, and culture.

Whether you’re planning a trip to Berchtesgaden, looking for hiking routes in the German Alps, or searching for scenic day trips from Salzburg or Munich, this video is packed with inspiration, tips, and must-see spots.

What to expect in this Germany video:
• 4-day itinerary in Berchtesgaden and the Bavarian Alps
• Boat ride across the Königssee and hike from St. Bartholomä
• Epic hike to the Schneibstein and hidden lake Seeleinsee
• Visiting the historic Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus)
• Scenic drive along the Rossfeld Panoramastrasse
• Hiking the Almbachklamm gorge
• Exploring Bad Reichenhall, a charming alpine spa town
• Discovering Berchtesgaden’s old town and royal palace
• Climbing to the summit of the Grünstein with views over the Alps

Perfect for:
• Travelers planning a road trip through Bavaria
• Hikers looking for hidden gems in Germany
• Those interested in WWII history and historical landmarks
• Nature lovers exploring the German Alps
• Fans of slow travel, mountain adventures, and outdoor photography
• Tourists visiting Salzburg or Munich seeking unforgettable day trips

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:44 Eagles Nest
03:30 Rossfeld Panorama Staße
04:30 Almbachklamm
05:42 Jenner & Seeleinsee
09:10 Bad Reichenhall
15:35 Hintersee & Scharitzkehlalm
17:01 Berchtesgaden
18:47 Königssee
22:56 Outro

🎥 Filmed with: DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and DJI Mavic 4 Pro

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If you love cinematic travel vlogs, mountain hikes, history, and discovering the hidden side of Europe, make sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications.

Next video: Austria’s legendary Großglockner Hochalpenstraße.