Berchtesgaden Land - Hotel Zechmeisterlehen Berchtesgaden Schönau am Königssee

Zechmeisterlehen – just unwind

in the heart of the Berchtesgaden mountains

In the southeastern corner of Bavaria we find the Berchtesgaden Land

The northern part is slightly hilly around Laufen andFreilassing and the southern district from Bad Reichenhall to Berchtesgaden is located in the Bavarian Alps. Here tourism and agriculture play an important role, in addition to a few medium-sized companies. The company “Reber” is located in Bad Reichenhall, they produce the famous Mozart balls and many other specialties, which are sold all over the world.

Salt mining is important in Berchtesgaden. The generated salt is simmered in the saline in Bad Reichenhall, together with the salt that is pumped up overthere. The Bad Reichenhaller salt is well-known far beyond the borders of Germany, as well as the typical Berchtesgaden woodcarving and chipboard boxes. Guests experience deeply rooted tradition and ancient customs: procession of palms on Palm Sunday, maypole set-up, mountain- alp- and traditional costume parties, pilgrimages, “Almabtrieb” (ceremonial driving down the cattle from the mountain pastures into the valley in autum), “Krampus and Buttenmandl”processions, Christmas- and New Year’s shooting.

Ramsau – Hintersee

Ramsau – Hintersee
Nature lovers from all over the world appreciate the mountain village and many painters have got inspired there. The world-famous St. Sebastian pilgrimage church decorates any post- and Christmas cards. It’s marvellously beautiful in the magic forest and around the Hintersee it’s very romantic. The second highest mountain of the national park, the Hochkalter with the Blaueis Glacier, is reflected in the turquoise blue Hintersee.

The magic forest at the Hintersee with wild rocks, hanging over each other and overgrown with thick moss and its bizarre trees is one of the 100 most beautiful geotopes in Bavaria! 190 km of marked footpaths and hiking trails, via ferratas, toboggan runs, cross-country skiing trails, a mountain spa with kneipp facilities and a graduation works (“Solegradierwerk”) await you.

Kehlsteinhaus – tearoom – Eagle’s Nest

Kehlsteinhaus – tearoom – Eagle’s Nest
Public buses take you on the 6,5 km long Kehlsteinstraße, bridging a 700 m difference in altitude and ffering you a magnificent view. From the parking lot you walk through a gate into a 124 m long and 3 m high tunnel to the Kehlsteinlift, a 124 high elevator, which ends right in the vestibule of the Kehlsteinhaus. The ascend takes only 41 seconds. The elevator is covered with mirros and brass. In summer 1938, after a building period of 13 months, it was given to Adolf Hitler as a present for his 50st birthday on behalf of the NSDAP on April 20, 1939. The Carrara marble for the large fireplace in the main room has been donated by Mussolini.

On February 17, 1949 the free state of Bavaria became owner of the Kehlsteinhaus. However, until 1951 it was still seized by the Americans. In 1952 it was released for public tourism. Since 1960 the Kehlsteinhaus has been managed by the tourist board and it is run by private tenants as a mountain guesthouse. The Kehlsteinhaus with its meter-thick foundation walls offers the visitors an overwhelming view of the Hohe Göll, the Watzmann, the Hochkalter, the Untersberg, the Königssee and Salzburg.

Watzmann

Watzmann
In the Berchtesgaden national park the landmartk of the Berchtesgaden Land is situated: the 2713 m high Watzmann with its eastern mountainside (Ostwand), the highest climging wall of the eastern Alps. The experienced climber has a wondeful view down to the Königsee with St. Bartholomä. In the west you will see the long Wimbach Valley and the massive Hochkalter.

From the summit you have a splendid view from the Chiemsee to the Chiemsee. In countless pictures, the Watzmann’s wife and children and the Great Watzmann are shown. According to the legend, the country was once dominated by the cruel King Waze or Wazemann, who spread fear and terror with his wife and his children. When he trampled a peasant family with his horse, the farmer’s wife cursed him by asking God to turn him and his family into stone. Then the earth rose, spitted fire and fulfilled the curse of the farmer’s wife.

Ancient customs and tradition

Ancient customs and culture in the mountains
The Berchtesgaden Land is a place, where tradition is still very alive. Here, many traditional and unique events take place throughout the year. Whether at Christmas time, in spring or in the alpine summer: the Berchtesgaden is full of traditions and ancient customs, tradition is lived from genuine habit – with a sure look for the own past and an open look for the present. Many customs, which have been preserved for centuries, are unique in this form! Come, experience and participate in extraordinary events in a beautiful mountain scenery.

Königssee

The Königssee, a favourite destination of the Bavarian Kings
A boat trip on the Königssee (lake) is one of the most important experiences of the Berchtesgaden Land. Highlight of the trip is the world-famous Köngissee echo and the visit to the St. Bartholomä pilgrimage church. This was a favourite destination of the Bavarian kings for more than 100 years. The majestic scenery around the Königssee has also inspired artists like Schinkel, Rottmann or Stifter. Back then as well as today the boats are the only possibility to reach the former hunting lodge and the church. Surrounded by high rock faces, the Königssee is situated like a fjord in the heart of the Alps. The eastern mountainside of the Watzmann rises 1800 m. An unforgettable sight. To preserve this nature idyll, the Berchtesgaden national park was established in 1978. No intervention should affect flora, fauna and water. Today the Königssee is the clearest lake in Germany with drinking water quality, approx 5 km² in size, 8 km long and 1.2 km wide at its widest point and up to 190 m deep. In a historic restaurant you can enjoy coffee and cake, lunch or a traditional Bavarian snack.

National park

Berchtesgaden national park, the wilderness returns
High, wild and beautiful – „King“ Watzmann towers high above Berchtesgaden and looks down on his realm: the Berchtesgaden national park. The only alpine national park of Germany is the habitat of numerous rare animals and plants.
Let nature be nature – this is the motto in the mountains and valleys around the world-famous Königssee. The golden eagle majestically wheels above the Klausbach Valley, marmots run around on the Königsbach Alp and in the sheer cliffs the chamois and the rock-goat show their climbing skills.
Approx 230 km of hiking trails and alpine climbing routes lead you through the Berchtesgaden National park – some of them start right in front of your hotel door! It’s the season of nature all year long. Convince yourself and get to know the secrets of the golden eagle, marmot & Co.

National Park

Salt mine Berchtesgaden
A cordial “Glück auf”! Experience the Berchtesgaden mining tradition since 1517 during an exciting underground-tour in the Berchtesgaden salt mine. The mine, which has been active for almost 500 years, is open to all those who are looking for adventure.

In 2007 , the popular visitor’s mine, which, as one of the oldest mines in Europa, is considered to be one of the main touristic attractions in Berchtesgaden, was transforemd into a modern adventure mine, offering a journey into the future with its newly designed “SalzZeitReise (salt journey through times).

The local miners, who have been working in the active part of the salt mines for centuries, take young and old, big and small, families and groups into their world full of unforgettable impressions.

Details:
Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden
Bergwerkstraße 83, 83471 Berchtesgaden
Telephone: +49 (0)8652 60020
www.salzzeitreise.de/en