When you leave Salzburg on the Alpenstrasse road nr 150, take exit Hellbrunn to visit Hellbrunn Castle. Drive on to Berchtesgarden, a Unesco Nature Site, one of the most beautiful spots of Germany. Berchtesgaden National park covers more than 21,000 hectares, its nature has been protected since 1910. Due to the alpine landscape and fauna, which foxes, roe deer, chamois, marmots, snow mouse, golden eagles, vale and lammergeier, this area was declared a bio reserve by UNESCO in 1990. You can enjoy a boat trip over the most scenic and cleanest lake in Austria Königssee.
These Bavarian Alpes also host Kehlsteinhaus, or Eagles Nest, a landmark that reminds us of one of the most cruel regimes in human history. This is the place where Hitler discussed all his horrific plans with his Nazi regime. During your visit you can take the elevator up to the controll centre, the same elevator that was used by Hitler. In the Dokumentation Center Obersalzburg you can find all the details on the holocaust and the Nazi Regime, during World War II this quaint village changed from little tourist town to the centre of Hitlers stronghold.
You can visit Salzbergwerk exhibition centre that explains all about the winning of salt in this area. The Berchtesgadener Bergbahn, will take you up the Jenner Mountain with a cable car for the most beautiful view of this Unesco Nature Site.
Kids and grown up adrenalin seekers, will love the tobaggan run (rohdelbahn), the cart runs downhill for 600 meters through a metal slide. You can use the brakes to slow down, it is very safe and lots of fun!
Hike along the wooden pass ways to see the Almbachklamm, an impressive gorge that was created by erosion over the thousands years of time.
Drive the scenic winding roads of the Rossfeldstrasse (road) through valleys and along mountains, spectacular views in summer!
The Rossfeldstrasse is the most famous toll road (€ 8) of Germany. It takes you on tour through the beautiful Berchtesgadener Alpen. This panorama road is 15.4 kilometers long and the summit is at an altitude of 1570 meters. Rossfeldstrasse is steep with many stretches above 10% and outliers to 13%. There are two ways to get to Rossfeldstrasse. Start South of Berchtesgaden near Oberau or, North of Berchtesgaden at Obersalzberg.
We prefer the entrance at the Obersalzberg to give ourselves a look at the mountain where 70 years ago pretty much all the Nazi thugs had their villa. We crawl up the steep road (24%!) to the Obersalzberg, We choose this route for the spectacular view over the breathtaking Königssee. This is one of the most beautiful views of the Alps and for that reason alone the trip up is more than worth it. Once on top of Obersalzberg mountain, follow the signs for Rossfeldstrasse.
I you want to buy yourself a pair of “lederhosen” (leather pants), Berchtesgaden is the place. Engelbert Aigner Sr. has been working as a lederhosen craftsman for 45 years now. He is one of the only six artisans in the world, that know how to make the lederhosen by hand.
Aigner uses outer native deer leather. The buttons are made from deer antlers and the embroidery is from mulberry silk. Cutting and gluing the leather (with wheat pulp) and stitching it takes about 25 hours. The embroidery easily takes between 15 and 40 hours. A real, custom-made lederhosen therefore costs between €1,500 and €6,000.
EXPERT TIPS FOR BERCHTESGARDEN
For some summer family fun in the Alps, try the Tobaggan run, or so called Rodelbahn in Berchtesgaden.
Kehlsteinhaus, Eagles Nest how to get to this place at the top of Kehlstein mountain. Park your car at Obersalzberg Dokumentationszentrum and take the special bus to the top, or hike (1,5 – 2 hours) to the top of Kehlstein Mountain.
The Jennerbahn is the most popular cable car of Berchtesgarden, click for an overview of all the cable cars in the area.
The Sound of Music tour options for fans of this movie. Buy an authentique Lederhosen in Metzgerstrasse 1, Berchtesgaden + 49(0) 8652 8539
HIKE
We definitely can recommend this Eagles Nest tour for hikers: take the road less traveled, this 7 – 8 hour hike offers you a mix of world history, exercise and incredible landscapes.
FOOD, 14 must eat foods in Tyrol.