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Explore this unique region of Bavaria, framed by towering peaks and filled with charming walking routes once used as salt trade paths. Your journey takes you from lush valleys to high alpine meadows, past rivers, waterfalls and forested gorges. Along the way, you’ll discover historic highlights such as the storybook village of Golling, the dramatic clifftop setting of Hohenwerfen Castle, and panoramic views from Mt Jenner over the lake and mountains. At the end of each day’s walk, relax in comfortable 3-star alpine hotels and enjoy hearty regional meals – think warming stews and a cold Bavarian beer, perfect after a day of rewarding exploration.
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17kg of CO2-e PP per day
(119kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Join Berchtesgaden or Schönau at Lake Konigssee
Berchtesgaden and neighbouring Schönau on Lake Königssee have long been considered the summer playground of Bavaria’s royalty due to their stunning location, spa waters and ideal summer climate. The towns are immersed in centuries of history and atop one of the surrounding mountains is ‘Eagle’s Nest’ or Kehlstein, a teahouse given to Adolf Hitler for his 50th birthday to entertain diplomats - there are buses every 15 minutes from Berchtesgaden railway station if you wish to visit. It is possible to visit the Salt Mines (or Salzbergwerk), enjoy a train ride, funicular, a raft and traditional slides. On arrival, check into your hotel in either Berchtesgaden or Schonau and the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Hike through Berchtesgaden National Park to Seisenberg Gorge and Weißbach (5-6hrs)
A morning transfer will take you to the entrance of the national park of Berchtesgaden at Ramsau to start your hike. A beautiful trail leads you up to the former miners' hut, then along an easy hiking trail and over an alpine pasture down to the Saalach valley, passing the impressive Seisenberg gorge en route. There are small ascents before you descend to the village of Weißbach. You can shorten today's hiking by taking the bus up to the pass and walking downhill to the valley, or vice versa. The public national park bus crosses the whole valley including some mountain passes so on many days there are options to shorten the walking. Distance: 18.5km/11.5mi, ascent +550m/1804ft, descent -500m/1640ft
Meals: B
Day 3
Traverse alpine pastures and descend to Dienten or Hintermoos village (5hrs)
This morning you will transfer to the edge of the Grass Mountain at Hinterthal, where the hike begins by ascending through alpine pastures. There is a small shortcut you can take almost at the top whereby you can hike around the mountain following some gravel paths rather than hiking to the top (shortens the distance by about 2km/30 minutes). There are some spectacular views of the alps, glaciers and, if you are lucky, Lake Zellersee. Passing mountain huts you descend to the village of Dienten or Hintermoos. Distance: 12.5/7.8m, ascent +930m/3051ft, descent -750m/2460ft
Day 4
Trek from mountain hut to mountain hut to Arthurhaus (5-6hrs)
Today you can enjoy one of the most beautiful alpine pasture hikes in Austria. Walking along the steep walls of the Hochkönig you will trek from mountain hut to mountain hut over alpine pastures - it's a pastoral idyll straight from a picture book. Descend by bus or on foot to tonight's accommodation, the Mühlbach mountain hotel, located at the foot of the dramatic walls of the Mandelwände. Distance: 14.5-18.5 km/9-11.5mi, ascent +640m/2100ft, descent -210m/689ft
Day 5
Day at leisure
There are a number of hiking trails which you can take today. You may choose to hike up to Mitterfeld mountain hut, with a splendid view to the summit of Hochkönig. Alternatively, you can take the public bus to the town in the valley. Overnight Mühlbach mountain hotel.
Day 6
Hike to Salzach Valley, visit "Hohenwerfen", train to Golling (4.5hrs)
This morning you will take the bus up to Arthurhaus, from where you start hiking to the Salzach valley. Heading gently down along the old miners' path you will see the fantastic fortress of “Hohenwerfen”. You have the option to walk up the castle hill and see the bird of prey flight demonstrations, the collection of weapons, and other great sights at the castle. Afterwards you take the train from Werfen to Golling (included). Located just 25km/15.5mi from Salzburg, Golling has a picturesque location amongst the mountains and forests, with scenery right out of ‘The Sound of Music’. There is ample opportunity to explore or relax before dinner. Distance: 13.5km/8.4mi, ascent +120m/394ft, descent -950m/3117ft
Day 7
Ascend through alpine pastures to Mt Jenner, descend by cable car to Lake Konigssee (6hrs)
Today you will hike up to the peak of Mount Jenner, with a panoramic view of the whole tour. A beautiful trail leads you through the former archbishop's hunting valley to the “wall”, with steep stone walls all around you. You may not see the trail at first but it leads up and up to the alpine pastures and to the frontier of Austria and Germany. Enjoy beautiful scenery and a comfortable ride down into the valley by the cable car (included). To your right you will see the ‘Eagle’s Nest’. Return to your hotel in Schonau or Berchtesgaden. Distance: 15km/9.3mi, ascent 1320m/4330ft, descent 90m/295ft If the cable car is not operable there is an alternative hike via the Golling waterfall, through forest to an alpine pasture near the German border and the highest scenic road in Germany, the Rossfeld road, with great views of Salzburg and the Bavarian Alps. Continue to Obersalzberg, the former holiday resort of Hitler which now has a permanent exhibition in the Documentation centre and is the starting point for the tour up to the “Eagles Nest”! Return by public bus to Berchtesgaden and on to Lake Königssee. You will be advised locally if the cable car is closed. Distance: 15.5km/9.7mi, ascent 1050m/3444ft, descent 560m/1837ft
Day 8
Trip concludes
The trip concludes after breakfast. We can assist with booking extra nights pre- or post-tour on request.
What's included
What's not included
This tour offers 3 star hotels all with ensuite facilities providing a comfortable and welcoming experience. Some of these properties may feature a wellness area or have a swimming pool or sauna to relax in after a day on the trail. In some parts of Europe, a twin room is not always associated with having two beds. Quite often a twin bed has one or two mattresses on the same bedframe but with two separate duvets. Sometimes there might be two beds positioned together, but they cannot be separated because of constraints of the room.
GRADE 3 - This is a self guided hike that is approached in stages of 12.5 to 18.8km/7.8 to 11.7mi, at a medium altitude. There will be a maximum of 6 hours of hiking per day. On some days there is the option to shorten the walking by using public buses. As with all of our moderate graded trips it is important that you are well prepared. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise – swimming, cycling, jogging, three or four times a week for at least three months prior to your departure. At any time during summer, weather conditions may be variable and you should be prepared for all conditions including snow, ice, strong sun and extreme winds.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.
Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.
With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love.
8Days
Introductory to Moderate
Moderate to Challenging
14Days
Moderate