Kneifelspitze

(difficulty: easy to steep, duration from Maria Gern 2 hrs. summer only)

Starting point: the church of Maria Gern. Follow signs to Kneifelspitze. A mountain inn sits on the summit (good food and refreshments served any time), offering a marvellous panoramic view of the Berchtesgaden Alps and the old city below. An alternative is to start the hike from the parking lot at Salzbergwerk (you may have to ask the way a few times). Note: tennis shoes are fine for this hike, you might want to time it so as to have lunch at the top, apart from the steep sections this hike is okay for kids.

Almbach Gorge (Almbachklamm)

(difficulty: easy to steep, length: 1-3 hrs., depending on option, summer only)

Starting point: marble mill Kugelmühle. A few steps beyond the marble mill you will have to pay an entrance fee (discount if you have a visitor's card Kurkarte). As you proceed, you will notice that each of the bridges and overpasses is numbered. The trail leads up through the deeply cut gorge past thundering waterfalls and crystal-clear pools. If you continue to bridge 19 and turn back, the hike will average 1 hr., 20 min. If you turn right at bridge 17 and follow the trail to Ettenberg, the whole round-trip hike will take about 2 hrs. 20 min. The view from Ettenberg is impressive, the self-service inn and pilgrimage church of Ettenberg definitely worth the rather steep incline. A third possiblity is, instead of returning to the starting point at Kugelmühle, to continue on from Ettenberg either along the high road or back through the gorge to Hintergern. The path leads past the old dam, Theresienklause that was formerly used to flush timber downstream. From Hintergern, hike downhill to Marial Gern, the most beautiful church in Berchtesgaden. From there, either hike back to town or take a local bus (4km). From Kugelmühle to Maria Gern, the hiking time is about 3 hrs. Note: this hike can be done with tennis shoes or walking shoes.

Wimbach Gorge and Wimbach Valley (National Park Hike)

(difficulty: easy to steep, duration: 3 hrs., summer only)

Starting point: Wimbachbrücke parking lot in Ramsau. Climbing up the steep paved road, make a left at the end down into the Wimbach gorge. After paying a small fee, follow the steps and wooden walkways up through the impressive gorge till you reach a fairly wide trail to Wimbachschloß. The gently sloping valley was chiselled out by the last ice ages and, at one point was deep under a high mountain peak that elevated itself from the Watzmann to the Hochkalter. The rather eerie landscape is characterized by a wide rocky river bed, the result of ice-age ravages dating back some 10.000 years. As early as the 14th century, the valley was a popular hunting area for Berchtesgaden's prince-provosts, after 1810 it was a favorite haunt of the royal Wittelsbach rulers. The end of the hike is the historical inn called Wimbachschloß, built as a hunting lodge by Prince-Provost Joseph Conrad von Schroffenberg in 1784. This hike is recommended for kids.

Mordaualm

(difficulty: easy to steep, duration: 2 hrs., summer only)

Starting point: Baltram bus stop on German Alpine Road (Deutsche Alpenstraße) after Ramsau. Fairly steep in places, the trail is wide, however, and leads to a charming pass with a stunning view. In summer, one of the fram huts places cases of beer and soft drinks outside, on a help-yourself-we trust-you'll-leave-some money basis. You can also foot it back via Mordautalhütte, Schmuckenstein, Schwarzeck, Zipfhäusl and the Soleleitungsweg. Count about two hours for this worthwhile detour back t your starting point. Fine for kids.