Berchtesgaden to Lake Königssee (Königsseer Fußweg)

(difficulty: very easy, duration 1 hr., 45 min., open year-round)

Starting Point: parking lot opposite Berchtesgaden train station. The marker Königsseer Fußweg leads you along the river Königsseer Ache right to Lake Königssee. Tip: Visit the fish-farming on the way.  From there you could follow the Malerwinkl Ring Trail (see below). Note: a pleasant stroll at a very gentle uphill gradient, tennis shoes or walking shoes sufficient, good for kids, okay for baby-strollers.

Lockstein und Soleleitungsweg in Markt Berchtesgaden

(difficulty: easy, duration 1 hr. open year-round)

Starting point: Evangelische Kirche in Markt Berchtesgaden. Formerly the brine pipeline (see SALTMINES) ran along the cliff here above the old town. In places the path leading along a wooden pass offering a good view of Berchtesgaden below. Follow the signs to Lockstein or Café Lockstein. From the top of Lockstein hill you have a perfect view of the old town below and the Watzmann mountain behind it. From Lockstein there is a steep path that zig-zags directly down to Nonntal near the Royal Palace. Note: this is a pleasant walk that can be enhanced with a sit-down and refreshments at the Lockstein café, walking shoes or tennis shoes suffice.

Soleleitungsweg in Ramsau

(difficulty: easy, duration 1 hr. open year-round)

Starting point: Zipfhäusl parking lot above the Deutsche Alpenstrasse after Ramsau. The old brine pipeline (see SALTMINES) leading from Berchtesgaden to Bad Reichenhall as far back as 1817, once ran along this trail. In places, you can still see bits of the old hollowed-out tree trunks that carried the "white gold". Heading along the brine pipeline east, you can stop at the conveniently located inns Gerstreit or Söldenköpfl. From the last one, either you can continue right on, all the way to Berchtesgaden or turn back to the starting point. Heading in the opposite direction from the starting point at Zipfhäusl, the Soleleitungsweg leads to the trail head of the Mordaualm hike (also described in the section easy to steep hikes ). As the Soleleitungsweg is perfectly flat, but offers grandiose views of the mountains it is ideal for kids, even a stroller can be used.

Malerwinkl Ring Trail (borders on the National Park)

(difficulty: easy, duration: 1 1/2 hrs., open year-round)

Starting point: parking lot at Königssee. Pass the base station of the Jenner cable-car. (Jennerbahn Talstation) and make a right towards the woods. Follow the signs for Königsseer Rundweg and Malerwinkl. After arriving at Malerwinkl ("painter's corner") the view opens up over Lake Königssee with St. Bartholomew in the distance. Hundreds of artists have set up their easel at this overlook, helping to make Berchtesgaden famous. Continue on to the dock at Lake Königssee and the touristy shopping street back to the parking lot. Note: comfortable shoes suffice, fine for kids.

Obersee (National Park Hike)

(difficulty: easy, duration: 30 min. - 2 hrs. depending on option, summer only)

Starting point: take the Lake Königssee boat to Salet-Oberseee. From the end of Lake Königssee, the trail leads on to Lake Obersee, once part of the large lake but cut off by a landslide. Lake Obersee is one of the most beautiful settings in the world, flanked by high cliffs on three sides. Much less overcrowded than Königssee it makes for an easily-accessible, yet relatively quiet excursion site. A rather rough trail - a little steep in places - leads along the right side of the lake to an idyllic mountain pasture and hut Fischunkelalm where refreshments are served. A short walk from here you can witness nature's power at the base of the Röthbach water fall.

Klausbach Valley (Klausbachtal) (National Park Hide)

(difficulty: easy, duration 1 - 4 hrs. depending on option, open year-round, except for Hals Alm)

Starting point: parking lot to the southwest of Lake Hinterseee. The barrier marks the entrance to the National Park. A fairly gentle gradient along the pavent road to the National Park's feeding station Wildfütterung where in winter the deer are fed around 15:00 every afternoon. A trail running parallel to the pavel road should be chosen at this point, it runs along the Klausbach stream. At the top of the valley the Bind-Alm and, a little further, the Austrian border at Hirschbichl. The road dates back to the 13th centruy when it was used for the transportation of salt. Another beautiful hike from this valley is to Hals Alm at 1214 m in elevation. From the parking lot above, walk about 600 m along the Hirschbichl road and turn right following the steep trail up to Hals-Alm (great views of Lake Hinterseee along the way). Note: tennis shoes are fine for any of these hikes, good for kids.

Zauberwald-Hintersee

(difficulty: easy, duration: 3 hrs., open year-round)

Starting point: Pfeiffenmacherbrücke at the exit of Ramsau. Follow signs to Zauberwald and Hintersee. The trail leads past a small hut in front of which 1960s carved dwarves work and play thanks to a waterwheel. The trail continues along the crystal-clear Klausbach stream where large moss-coverd boulders once tumbled down from the Hochkalter mountain. The Zauberwald (magic forest) has a fairy-tale atmosphere and one can easily understand why so many local legends were told about it. The trail eventually leads to Lake Hintersee. Take the trail to your left for a good view of the lakefront and, after having hiked all the way around the lake, return to your starting point in Ramsau via the wide gravel trail via Antenbichl. A good hike for kids.