Hiking in Bavaria

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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