Berchtesgaden Alps

The Berchtesgaden Alps are a compact subrange of the Northern Limestone Alps on the border region between southeastern Germany (Bavaria) and northern Austria (state of Salzburg). The range is noted for steep limestone peaks and deep glacial valleys, with the Watzmann massif as its signature summit.

The region has a long history of alpine agriculture, timber use and salt extraction; salt mining around Berchtesgaden contributed to its early economic importance. Protection as a national park in 1978 formalized conservation of its landscapes and restricted large-scale development.

The range sits along the Germany-Austria frontier in the southeastern corner of Bavaria and adjacent Salzburg state, surrounding the town of Berchtesgaden and draining into the Königssee basin. The terrain transitions quickly from wooded valleys to limestone escarpments and high alpine ridges.

• Highest summit: The highest major summit is 2,713 metres, offering technical alpine routes and long ridge hikes.
• Viewpoints: Several cable cars and the Jennerbahn provide easy high-elevation viewpoints, notably over the Königssee and Watzmann faces.

What to See #

• Watzmann: A massif centered on the **Watzmann** massif with steep limestone faces and high alpine cirques; the Watzmann Hauptspitze reaches 2,713 metres and is one of the range's best-known summits.
• Königssee: The glacial trough of the **Königssee** and adjacent valleys form deep lakes and fjord-like basins popular for short excursions and boat trips.
• Berchtesgaden National Park: Berchtesgaden National Park, established in 1978, protects large parts of the range and contains marked trails, alpine meadows and forested valleys.