Salzalpensteig from Lake Chiemsee to Lake Königssee
On Historic Paths Through Bavaria’s Mountains 🥾🏔️💙
This alpine hike impressively combines nature, history, and a true long-distance trekking feeling. Starting from the glistening Lake Chiemsee, you will follow the trails of salt through the Bavarian Alps and discover a landscape full of contrasts 🌊🌲. Gentle lakeshores, historic salt-mining towns, idyllic alpine pastures, and striking mountain ranges alternate, making every day of hiking a new experience.
The start at Lake Chiemsee already sets the mood for the days to come. Quiet lakeshore paths, typical Bavarian farmsteads, and shady forests accompany you on your way 🐄🌿. Soon, the historic salt trails lead higher into the Chiemgau Alps, where wide vistas open up and the panorama becomes increasingly alpine ⛰️✨. A special highlight is the cable car ride up the Hochfelln, whose summit offers a magnificent panoramic view over lakes and mountains.
Again and again, turquoise mountain lakes like Lake Taubensee or the idyllic Lake Thumsee invite you to take a refreshing break 💧😌. Gurgling streams, small waterfalls, and quiet nature reserves provide soothing variety along the way. In towns like Ruhpolding or Inzell, you can experience the relaxed Bavarian way of life, perhaps with a cozy stop for a meal and a cold drink 🍺☀️.
On your way, you will also cross significant landmarks of salt history. A visit to the Old Salt Works (Alte Saline) in Bad Reichenhall brings the "white gold" to life and gives the hike a special cultural depth 🧂🏛️. Afterwards, the path continues along the historic brine pipeline trails, always accompanied by magnificent views of the Watzmann and the Steinernes Meer 🌊⛰️.
Finally, you reach your destination at the emerald-green Lake Königssee in the Berchtesgaden National Park. Nestled between steeply rising rock faces, the lake looks almost surreally beautiful 🌊🏞️. Here ends a hiking journey that uniquely combines exercise, nature, and history—a trip that will resonate with you long after it’s over.
The Salzalpensteig (Salt Alps Trail) from Lake Chiemsee to Lake Königssee is a premium hike for everyone who loves diverse landscapes and enjoys moving step by step through Bavaria’s alpine variety 💚🥾. A tour that challenges, rewards, and inspires in equal measure.
Day 1
Arrival at Lake Chiemsee
Arrival at Lake Chiemsee
Hotel (example): Bayerischer Hof Prien
Day 2
Prien/Surroundings – Marquartstein
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): Landhotel Weßner Hof
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Day 3
Marquartstein – Bergen
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): Mühlwinkler Hof
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Day 4
Bergen – Ruhpolding
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): Hotel Alp Inn
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Day 5
Ruhpolding – Inzell
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): Wiesgauer
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Day 6
Inzell – Bad Reichenhall
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): Villa Erika
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Day 7
Bad Reichenhall – Königssee/Berchtesgaden
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
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Day 8
Departure or extension
You can now individually extend your stay in Berchtesgaden and explore the rest independently.
Requirements for hikers
Summary
- Arrival Friday till Sunday
- Total approx 105 km over 6 hiking days
- 7 nights
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer
- Uphill ride Hochfelln
- Train ride Bad Reichenhall - Bischofswiesen
- Ruhpolding-Card with countless services included
- Entry old salt works in Bad Reichenhall
- Travel documents and GPS data
- Service hotline
- from 999,- € per person
Facts about the Alps
- The Alpine region extends across Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, Slovenia, Monaco and Liechtenstein
- The area is approximately 200,000 square kilometers
- The highest mountain, at 4,810 meters, is Mont Blanc
- The highest high mountain range in inland Europe and a living and recreational space for about 13 million people