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Hiker on the way to St. Bartholomä am Königssee

Salzalpensteig Trail 1, Chiemsee – Königssee/Berchtesgaden

On ancient salt paths from Lake Chiemsee to Lake Königssee

8 Days / 7 Nights
Mountain Hiking
Hiker on the way to St. Bartholomä am Königssee

The long hike from Chiemsee to Königssee offers a varied landscape. Lovely shores are followed by historic salt mines and the steep edged mountain walls of the Chiemgau Alps and the Steinerne Meer. On this hike you’ll find green-blue mountain lakes, scenic nature reserves and lots to learn about the white gold.

Typical Bavarian farms and a quiet nature reserve kick off your hike on the Chiemsee. A valley trail takes you to the famous resort of Winkl, from where you can hike past the Biathlon Arena in Ruhpolding. With a little luck, you can watch the roll ski training there. The brine pipeline trail finally brings you to Schönau and the green Königssee. Your constant companions along the entire route: panoramic views and thundering waterfalls.

  • Crystal clear mountain lake: The ascent to Taubensee is definitely worth it when you lay eyes on the wonderful green-blue oasis. Cool off your tired feet in the soothing water. 
  • Time to breathe: In the health resort of Inzell. Enjoy the typical Bavarian flair and treat yourself to a beer.
  • Rupertus Therme: Time to put your feet up. Tired muscles need to relax, and the best way to do so is in the comforting warm brine found here.

It starts at the third largest lake in Germany – the Chiemsee. From there you walk along the romantic shores to Marquartstein. Idyllic alpine landscapes, high mountains and shady pine forests line your path. High up between Inzell and Bad Reichenhall is a delightful little mountain lake. The Thumsee not only guarantees a welcome cooling off for your feet. The lake is also perfect for a summer swim. The eight-day solo hike is not only varied, it also proves to be challenging in some sections. On average, you travel 18 kilometres per day, which takes about six hours each day. Some days you need sure-footedness and a head for heights.

Itinerary at a glance

Along the shores of Lake Chiemsee, over idyllic alpine pastures and through the mystical fairytale forest to Ruhpolding. In Inzell you soak up Bavarian flair and in Bad Reichenhall you relax in the thermal baths before Lake Königssee welcomes you.

Hotel example: Bayerischer Hof

The tour starts with a comfortable walk along the incredibly picturesque lakeside of Lake Chiemsee, through tranquil nature reserves near the reed belt. You encounter a charming landscape with little forest paths and typical Bavarian farm houses dotted around on your route to Marquartstein.

Hotel example: Weßner Hof

Today prepare for an idyllic alpine pasture tour. After the ascent to the Schnappenkirchlein, where you have the best views of Lake Chiemsee, there are numerous alps inviting you for a break. The route continues past grazing cattle with views to steep summit flanks, then through lush meadows and shady forests into the well-known holiday resort Bergen.

Hotel example: Salzburger Hof

A breezy cable car ride will take you to Hochfelln, where you will visit the Taborkircherl and the impressive summit cross and enjoy a fantastic view of the Central Alps. About pastures and forest roads, it goes down into the mystical fairy tale forest. Soon after you reach Ruhpolding, the popular resort in the middle of the Chiemgau Alps.

Hotel example: Alp Inn

Along the Ache to the Taubensee and then around the Rauschberg, through extensive forests. Take a rest at the traditional Schmelz inn before heading along forest and meadow paths to the climatic health resort of Inzell. Enjoy the typical Bavarian flais and the views of the surrounding peaks, preferably with a fresh Maß beer.

Hotel example: Alpinhotel Inzeller

Walk along the path of the brine pipelines and through the idyllic Höllenbachalm, where you can taste fresh dairy products from the own grazing cattle. The Salt Path leads you above the cute little mountain lake Thumsee, along forest paths with a view onto Bad Reichenhall. Past the Old Saltworks you reach this beautiful salt health resort, where the Rupertus-Thermal spa invites your muscles to some relaxation time.

Hotel example: Almrausch

Short train ride and then ascent to a glorious and remote forest area. High-altitude paths with incredible panoramic views lead you along the mountainside with the ‚Steinerne Meer’ mountain range and the two summits Watzmann and Hochkönig in front of you. Then a short section along the brine pipeline path, before you ascend through the forest to the Grünstein mountain. Glistening deep down below you is lake Königssee, green in colour, with boat houses and little boats, set amidst the national park Berchtesgaden and is the picturesque finish of your hiking holiday.

Hotel example: Brandtnerhof

Day
08
Departure or extension

Route information

Mountain Hiking

A week rich in variety with hiking tours along the old salt paths with a duration each of up to 6 hours. On some days surefootedness and a head for hights are required. You walk across picturesque mountain scenery with views onto steep, jaggered peaks, two marvellous lakes, gushing mountain streams and gorges.

Prices & Dates

Category: 3*** hotels and country hotels

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accomodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • 1 Cable car ascent Hochfelln
  • 1 Ruhpolding-Card with countless services included
  • 1 Entry old salt works in Bad Reichenhall
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • Navigation-App and GPS-data available
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Return transfer by minibus to Prien every Saturday (min. 2 persons), cost EUR 95 per person, EUR 29 per dog, reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Train journey from Munich to Prien, duration approx. 1 hour. From Prien train station to the start-hotel either on foot or short bus/taxi ride.
  • Munich or Salzburg airport.
  • Parking: limited number of hotel parking spaces free of charge, no reservation possible.  
  • Return train/bus journey from Lake Königssee, duration approx. 2.5 hours (1x change trains).

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Special dates on request
  • Public transport fares, approx. EUR 6 per person
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accomodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • 1 Cable car ascent Hochfelln
  • 1 Ruhpolding-Card with countless services included
  • 1 Entry old salt works in Bad Reichenhall
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional

  • Return transfer by minibus to Prien every Saturday (min. 2 persons), cost EUR 99 per person, EUR 29 per dog, reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Train journey from Munich to Prien, duration approx. 1 hour. From Prien train station to the start-hotel either on foot or short bus/taxi ride.
  • Munich or Salzburg airport.
  • Parking: limited number of hotel parking spaces free of charge, public parking spaces Prien train station, approx. EUR 20 per week, no reservation possible.  
  • Return train/bus journey from Lake Königssee, duration approx. 2.5 hours (1x change trains).

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Special dates on request
  • Public transport fares, approx. EUR 6 per person
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of EUR 20 per room.

From our Hiking Blog

Sabrina Huber

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