Berchtesgaden: Salt History, Nature and Craftsmanship

Natural History and Salt Heritage

Haus der Berge is the main visitor centre for Berchtesgaden National Park. Its permanent exhibition, “Vertical Wilderness,” explores the national park’s flora and fauna interactively, through its seasons and habitats. Natural history is at the heart of this exhibition, which presents its subject matter through different habitats and the changing seasons.

The visitor route at the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine includes an underground mine train, a miners’ slide and a boat ride across the underground salt lake. The history of mining began in 1517 with the opening of the Petersberg tunnel. A visit to the salt mine therefore brings together several underground experiences with a clearly identified historical starting point.

Routes, Townscape and Garden

The Soleleitungsweg is a themed hiking trail that follows the historic brine pipeline, dating from 1817, from the salt mine to Haus der Berge. The route passes through Nonntal and Weinfeld and over the Soleleitungssteg footbridge. Another way to explore Berchtesgaden on foot is the Berchtesgaden Panorama Circular Route. It takes about an hour, first passing churches and chapels in the historic centre before continuing along the Soleleitungsweg above the town. This gives it a different character from the themed hike along the brine pipeline.

A walk through the historic centre takes you past the magnificent façades of townhouses, numerous fountains, narrow streets and large squares. The spa gardens offer a distinct contrast in design: this historic garden is laid out in the French formal style and features a reflecting pool, fountains and rows of Japanese cherry trees. The townscape and garden thus differ considerably in their design.

Berchtesgaden Craftsmanship

Adelsheim Castle Museum showcases Berchtesgaden craftsmanship in a variety of materials and forms. Its collection includes ivory carvings, turned wooden filigree boxes, elaborately decorated chipwood boxes and lovingly painted toys. Those interested in artistic details will find a different way to explore local culture here than by walking among the façades and squares of the historic centre.

The Wider Destination of Berchtesgadener Land

The wider destination of Berchtesgadener Land stretches across southeastern Upper Bavaria, from the gently rolling Rupertiwinkel in the north to Berchtesgaden National Park on the border with Austria. To the south, high Alpine landscapes and the natural scenery around Lake Königssee form part of this broader region. The Berchtesgadener Land Biosphere Region encompasses the entire district.

Berchtesgadener Land also offers more routes to explore: Berchtesgaden National Park has a 260-kilometre network of hiking trails and Alpine paths. From Berchtesgaden, the Berchtesgadener Radstern cycling network follows four signposted routes radiating out through the Berchtesgaden Valley. In the national park community of Ramsau, Klausbachhaus at the entrance to Klausbach Valley is the starting point for many hikes in the national park; an accessible circular trail also begins there.

The gorges in this wider destination can be experienced along routes with very different features. The hike through Almbachklamm Gorge crosses 29 bridges and footbridges, climbs 320 steps and passes through a tunnel blasted into the rock. Opening is seasonal, and weather-related closures are possible, so check visitor information in advance. In Ramsau, a short walking trail through Wimbachklamm Gorge follows steep rock walls over bridges and footbridges; it is around 200 metres long.

Culture and history are also represented in many different ways across Berchtesgadener Land. The pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomä, built in 1134, stands on the Hirschau peninsula in Berchtesgaden National Park on Lake Königssee. The Obersalzberg Documentation Centre offers a multimedia exploration of the history of Obersalzberg and the Nazi dictatorship. The historic bunker complex is accessible as part of its permanent exhibition. Sacred architectural history and the critical interpretation of the history of dictatorship thus stand side by side as distinct cultural themes.

For an insight into regional distilling, the Grassl Distillery visitor centre in Unterau offers a signposted tour about the distillation of gentian, juniper, gin and masterwort during opening hours. It also offers a free tasting of 40 specialities. As opening hours and tasting conditions may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.

Choose the Right Base for Your Trip

When looking for a holiday apartment in Berchtesgaden, you can start with your interests: are salt history and routes around town your main focus, or would you also like to explore the regional hiking, cultural and nature attractions of Berchtesgadener Land? This distinction can help tailor your search to your travel plans.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Laufen, Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, Bischofswiesen, Eck, Anger, Marktschellenberg, Freilassing, Saaldorf-Surheim

See the wider travel guide: Berchtesgadener Land.