Walk the ancient salt paths among steep, jagged peaks, gushing mountain streams and gorges
Enjoy stunning panoramic views from the Hochfelln, the “observation deck of the Chiemgau”
Soothe your feet in the crystal-clear mountain lakes of Taubensee and Thumsee
Explore the wild and romantic Weissbachschlucht gorge
Take a breather and pamper yourself in the health resorts of Inzell and Bad Reichenhall
Hiking the SalzAlpenSteig: self-guided walking in the Bavarian Alps
The SalzAlpenSteig (‘Salt Alps Trail’) is a long-distance hiking route that runs all the way from the “Bavarian Sea”, Lake Chiemsee, to the world’s oldest salt mine in Hallstatt, Austria, where salt was mined as long as7,000 years ago. The route passes several historical salt mining spots along the way, and reveals a wealth of historical treasures and cultural heritage in the regions that became rich thanks to the “white gold”.
On this first section of the SalzAlpenSteig, you will discover the wonderful variety of the Bavarian Alps, as you walk from the romantic shores of Lake Chiemsee to the incredibly picturesque Lake Königssee, in the shadow of the towering Watzmann mountain. One of Germany’s most beautiful hiking trails, the SalzAlpenSteig unites areas of outstanding natural beauty with historic salt mining communities. Along your walk, you will discover incredible and unique landscapes and learn more about the salt springs, the salt deposits as well as about the history of salt mining and production which has shaped the region. As you pass the many mountain lakes, rivers, streams and waterfalls, you will get a keen sense of how important a role water has played in the region’s salt industry. You will walk ancient alpine paths in perfect tranquillity – with only the sound of clanging cowbells breaking the silence – and stay in traditional Bavarian villages in idyllic mountain settings.
9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS | From €799 per person sharing*
*Minimum number of participants: 4 people per date. With two participants, there is a transport surcharge to guarantee the tour: €130 pp. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
ACCOMMODATION |
3* standard hotels or inns with continental breakfast. All rooms have private facilities. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
AVAILABILITY | You can start on any Thursday, Friday or Saturday, subject to availability,between May 14th and October 1st. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
INCLUDED |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOT INCLUDED |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
OPTIONAL EXTRAS |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
DIFFICULTY / TERRAIN | The tour is rated moderate to challenging overall. Daily walking distances range from 15 – 22km, with significant ascents and descents. You will be walking in alpine terrain, so appropriate equipment (such as hiking boots, backpack, rain and sun protection etc.) is essential. You should also bee in good physical shape and comfortable using cable cars. The walking paths are a mixture of woodland trails, rocky mountain paths, gravel tracks and faint grassy paths. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
WALKING WITH A DOG | It is possible to book this hiking tour accompanied by your dog. We are happy to request dog-friendly accommodation for you (route may vary). Please ask us for a quote and let us know the size and breed of dog.
Please note: Additional costs for your dog (e.g. for public transport or in the accommodations) are not included in the tour price and have to be paid on site. |
Day 1: Arrival in Prien am Chiemsee
Welcome to the beautiful Chiemgau area. Enjoy your day at Lake Chiemsee and prepare yourself for the start of your fist hike tomorrow. Chiemsee is Bavaria’s largest lake and is renowned for its natural beauty. If you have time you could take a boat trip on the lake, and perhaps visit King Ludwig II’s Schloss Herrenchiemsee, a magnificent castle located on Chiemsee’s largest island.
Overnight: Prien am Chiemsee
From Prien to Grassau
Distance: 19 km | Ascent: 590 m | Descent: 586 m | Time: 6 hrs approx.
Stage 1 of the SalzAlpenSteig leads you first through the picturesque lakeside towns of Prien and Bernau, with some amazing views of the Alps. You will then climb to moorland and forests above the villages Bernau and Rottau, before reaching your accommodation in Grassau.
Overnight: Grassau
Day 3: From Grassau to Ruhpolding
Distance: 16 km | Ascent: 997 m | Descent: 858 m | Time: 6 hrs approx.
After breakfast, you will have a short transfer by shuttlebus to Bergen. Here, you take the cable car to the top of the Hochfelln mountain, where you will enjoy wonderful panoramic views over the Chiemgau area and the Central Alps.
From the Hochfelln, you will have a glorious hike amid sprawling alpine meadows and fairy-tale forests. Descending steadily, you will hike around the Reitstein (1.250 m) before reaching the forest of Brand with its many caves and grottos. Follow the signs in the direction of Ruhpolding, a popular alpine resort town and your destination for today.
Overnight: Ruhpolding
Day 4: From Ruhpolding to Inzell
Distance: 15 km | Ascent: 609 m | Descent: 576 m | Time: 5 hrs approx.
Today’s stage is a varied hike along the salt path between Ruhpolding and Inzell in the Chiemgauer Alps. In the foothills of the Rauschberg (1645 m), you will find the picturesque alpine lake Taubensee. This is the perfect spot to soothe your feet in its crystal-clear waters and enjoy a picnic lunch in idyllic surroundings. Continuing along the slopes of the Rauschberg on lovely forest paths, you finally reach your accommodation in the health resort town of Inzell, located in a wide valley floor.
Overnight: Inzell
Day 5: From Inzell to Bad Reichenhall
Distance: 22 km | Ascent: 678 m | Descent: 900 m | Time: 6 hrs approx.
An enormously varied but also quite strenuous day awaits you today. You hike first over moorland and lush meadows to the Weißbach waterfalls. You then follow the course of the Weißbach river through the wild and romantic Weißbach Gorge. You will pass the beautiful lake Thumsee before following the old salt path to the lovely spa town of Bad Reichenhall.
Bad Reichenhall is a traditional center of salt production, obtained by evaporating water saturated with salt from brine ponds. You can unwind in the thermal spas or take an evening walk through the beautiful Royal Spa Garden.
Overnight: Bad Reichenhall
Day 6: From Bad Reichenhall to Bischofswiesen
Distance: 16 km | Ascent: 696 m | Descent: 556 m | Time: 5½ hrs approx.
Today’s stage offers a lot of information and sights on the subject of salt, as well as a varied landscape and beautiful views of the Alps. Before leaving Bad Reichenhall, you can take a tour of the beautiful old salt works, which were commissioned by King Ludwig I and are considered to be among Europe’s most impressive industrial monuments.
You will find more ‘salty’ sights along your hiking route today, including ancient old brine pipelines which were used to transport salt to the salt works. Your route takes you past 12th century fortifications at the Hallthurm pass, before traversing the Schwarzgraben and Frechenbach rivers to reach the river Bischofswiesener Ache, which you follow until you reach the village of Bischofswiesen.
Overnight: Bischofswiesen
Day 7: From Bischofswiesen to Ramsau
Distance: 19 km | Ascent: 721 m | Descent: 682 m | Time: 6 hrs approx.
You will follow leisurely hiking paths along rivers and streams before steeper ascents lead you to idyllic alpine pastures with panoramic views of the Berchtesgadener National Park. Your destination today is the picturesque village of Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden. Ramsau is Germany’s first certified ‘mountaineering village’ and climbers come from far and wide to scale the legendary east wall of the Watzmann, Germanys second highest mountain.
Overnight: Ramsau
Day 8: Ramsau to Königssee
Distance: 17 km | Ascent: 1178 m | Descent: 1220 m | Time: 7½ hrs approx.
Prepare yourself for the toughest, but most rewarding stage of this hiking trip. Follow the brine pipelines in the foothills of the Geröllberg (1162 m) and Söldenköpfl (1022 m) towards Engedey. As you reach the bird sanctuary above Ramsau you will be rewarded with breathtaking views, taking in the Hochkalter (2606m), the northernmost blue-ice glacier in the Alps, the Mittelspitze (2713m), and the Kleiner Watzmann (2307m’).
From Engedey you begin your ascent through the forest to the Grünstein, a renowned panoramic hiking path in the Berchtesgadener Alps. Follow the serpentine forest paths to the Grünsteinhütte, where you can enjoy yet another amazing view over the Berchtesgadener Land. Following the path down into the valley, you arrive in Schönau at the world-famous Lake Königssee. Enjoy this beautiful scenery with the emerald-green alpine lake surrounded by the steep mountain walls of the Berchtesgaden Alps. You can take a boat trip on the lake (payable locally) and visit the iconic onion-domed St. Bartholomä church or take the cable car to the Jenner summit for magnificent views over the lake.
Overnight: Schönau
Day 9: Departure
Your walking holiday on the SalzAlpenSteig comes to an end after breakfast this morning, unless you have booked any additional services with us. would be happy to book additional nights for you in Schönau. The regular local bus will bring you to Berchtesgaden in about 13 minutes, and a return transfer is included to take you from there back to Prien am Chiemsee.
Travel to and from Prien am Chiemsee
Departure
The regular local bus will bring you to from Schönau to Berchtesgaden in about 13 minutes, and a return transfer is included to take you from there back to Prien am Chiemsee. |
Tour Reviews
There are no reviews yet.
Leave a Review