Untersberg

Mountains Border massif with caves and folklore legends

Rising on the Austria-Germany border near Salzburg, Untersberg draws hikers and cable-car passengers for summit walks, limestone caves and wide views over the Salzach valley and Berchtesgaden.

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Untersberg is a limestone massif on the border between Austria and Germany, located just south of Salzburg and north of Berchtesgaden. It is a prominent local peak with recreational routes and notable geological features.

Hiking trails and a cable car provide access to high-elevation viewpoints and ridge walks that offer panoramic views over Salzburg and the surrounding Alpine foothills. The massif’s limestone geology has produced caves and karst terrain that attract speleologists and visitors.

The mountain has longstanding cultural and folkloric associations in the Salzburg region and serves as a backdrop to the city. It has been used for local recreation and pastoral activities for centuries.

Geographically the Untersberg massif sits at the northern edge of the Alps, immediately overlooking the city of Salzburg on the Austrian side and the Berchtesgaden region on the German side.

  • Border location: The massif straddles the Austria-Germany border just south of Salzburg and north of Berchtesgaden, making it a prominent local landmark visible from the city.
  • Summit height and views: The highest summit reaches roughly 1,973 metres, offering panoramic views over Salzburg and the surrounding Alpine foothills on clear days.

What to See #

  • Cable car and summit access: A popularly used cable car ascends from the Salzburg/Bavarian side to high-elevation walking areas and viewpoints close to the massif's upper slopes.
  • Karst and caves: The massif contains karst features and cave systems in its limestone, with well-known local caves and speleological interest in the region.
Untersberg
Untersberg massif, on the Austria-Germany border
47.7000, 12.9833

How to Get to Untersberg #

Nearest towns include Salzburg (Austria) and Berchtesgaden (Germany). The Untersberg cable car departs from near Grödig; local buses and short transfers connect from Salzburg. Driving is possible with parking at cable car stations.

Tips for Visiting Untersberg #

  • Take the Untersberg cable car from Grödig if available for an easy ascent and panoramic views of Salzburg and the surrounding Alps.
  • If hiking, plan for steep, rocky trails and changeable weather - an early start avoids afternoon storms.

Best Time to Visit Untersberg #

Summer for hiking and cable car access; autumn for clearer skies and quieter trails.

Summer
Jun-Sep · 5-20°C
Clear trails and cable car access; alpine meadows in bloom.
Autumn
Sep-Oct · 0-15°C
Crisp air and fewer visitors; good for photography and ridge walks.

Weather & Climate near Untersberg #

Climate

Untersberg's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -7°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1584 mm/year), wettest in July.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
-27°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -6°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-6°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -7°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-7° -1°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

90 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

31 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-5°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

117 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

122 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
13.5h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (135 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

135 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
14.9h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (179 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

179 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
15.7h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (198 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
14°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

198 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.3h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (174 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
14°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

174 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
14.1h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (129 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

129 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-3°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

117 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

31 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-6°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

120 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.3h daylight

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