Watzmann

Watzmann is a prominent mountain massif in the Berchtesgaden Alps of Bavaria, Germany, notable for its jagged profile and large vertical faces. The highest summit, Watzmann-Mittelspitze, reaches approximately 2,713 metres above sea level.

The massif offers alpine hiking, mountaineering and climbing routes of varying difficulty, with marked trails on the lower flanks and technical routes on the higher faces. The dramatic east face is a well-known landmark visible from the lake and valley below.

Local use has included alpine pasturing and, since the 19th century, recreational climbing and mountain tourism. Mountaineering routes and mountain huts were developed as interest in alpine sports grew.

The Watzmann massif sits within the Berchtesgaden area of southeastern Bavaria, close to the Königssee and the town of Berchtesgaden, and is part of the landscape protected by Berchtesgaden National Park.

• Alpine routes and safety: High alpine routes and via ferrata are established on the massif; conditions can be steep and exposed and require proper mountain equipment and experience.

What to See #

• Watzmann-Mittelspitze: The main summit of the massif, Watzmann-Mittelspitze, rises to about 2,713 metres and is the highest point of the group.
• East Face: The steep east face of the massif, measured at roughly 1,800 metres from base to summit, is a prominent alpine feature seen from the Königssee area.