From Treetop Walks to Silent Boats: Inside Bavaria’s Two National Parks

Bavaria, the largest state in Germany, is a land of contrasts. Stretching across the southeastern part of Germany, it is famous for the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle and its vibrant folk culture, celebrated in lively beer gardens and at Munich’s Oktoberfest.

But beyond the polished cities and well-trodden paths, Bavaria is also a land of awe-inspiring landscapes.

So, on one still-warm September weekend, my friends and I packed our backpacks and hiking shoes and ventured into its two most stunning sanctuaries: the Bavarian Forest National Park and Berchtesgaden National Park.

From the Forests to the Peaks

Among Germany’s 16 national parks, two are located in Bavaria, and both stand out for their dramatic and distinct beauty.

They show the dual faces of German wilderness, from the vast, untamed forests to the majestic peaks of the Alps and their peaceful, glassy lakes.

We started our journey in the Bavarian Forest National Park, which boasts the title of Germany’s first and thus also oldest national park, established in 1970.

Together with the neighboring Šumava National Park in Czechia, it forms the largest contiguous forest reserve in Central Europe.

Journey to the Glass Arch

Our hiking adventures began on the historic Böhmweg trail, an ancient trade route that once connected Bavaria with Bohemia.

The journey brought us to the Glass Ark. This striking sculpture, made of a massive granite rock and a hollow glass boat, pays homage to the area’s glass tradition, while the sculpture itself embodies the fragility of our environment.

“Nearly every village in this area used to have a glass hut for glass production. During the Cold War, many villages on the Czech side were destroyed, allowing nature to reclaim the land,” explained local ranger Kristin.

This rewilding and protection of the landscape is now a key part of the park’s mission, especially for species like the capercaillie, a large grouse whose population has been in decline.

A Hike to the Sky

From the Ark, we turn onto the challenging Himmelsleiter trail.

The name, which means “Ladder to Heaven,” is a fitting description for this steep, rocky ascent to the summit of Lusengipfel (4,504 feet).

The trail is made up of countless granite steps, some over 300 million years old, and is a reminder of how these mountains were formed.

“The mountain used to be as high as the Himalayas, but erosion and weathering reduced its height over time,” shared Kristin about the sea of boulders covered in neon green lichens. It’s a surreal landscape, with vistas reaching up to the Bohemian Forest across the border.

A Walk Among the Treetops

After the high of standing on the granite peak of Lusen, we descend for a completely different kind of experience.

The Treetop Path near the Lusen Information Center is a 1,300-meter-long boardwalk, which lets us explore the forest at eye level.

The path ends at a spectacular egg-shaped dome, which we can climb 144 feet for a panoramic view of the endless forest.

It’s a unique way to experience the woods from a whole new angle.

Nearby, you can find the Lynx Enclosure, a peaceful sanctuary for these majestic and elusive cats. As Europe’s largest cat, the lynx prefers to roam alone, making sightings in the wild very special.

“In the wild, I have not yet met a single one during my career; I’ve just seen their footsteps in the snow,” said ranger Kristin, who spends every day in the forests.

Berchtesgaden: The Village at the Foot of the Alps

We left the ancient, moss-covered trees behind and traveled south.

An over 3-hour journey brings us to the Berchtesgaden National Park, where the Alps reach for the sky and dip their feet in fjord-like lakes.

Before we venture on another hike, we choose to discover the lovely mountain village of Berchtesgaden.

Its historic alleys, with their painted houses and flower-filled balconies, draw visitors who can sip a coffee under the watchful eye of the mighty Watzmann, the third-highest peak of Germany.

Berchtesgaden’s story began with an Augustinian monastery founded in 1102. The discovery of rich salt deposits transformed the area, making the monastery a wealthy, independent principality.

When it was absorbed into Bavaria in 1810, the former monastery was reborn as a stunning royal palace for the House of Wittelsbach.

Remarkably, the palace remains a private residence for the family’s descendants to this day.

A Journey into the Earth’s Depths

The true source of Berchtesgaden’s prosperity lies in the “white treasure” beneath the earth: salt. At the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, visitors can don a miner’s jumpsuit and descend into the mountain’s depths, flying down polished wooden slides just as miners once did.

But the salt’s journey to the outside world was just as remarkable as its extraction.

The Salt Pipeline Path is an ancient path that traces the route of an ingenious technical marvel: a brine pipeline that transported saltwater from the Berchtesgaden mines to the Bad Reichenhall saltworks since 1617.

Today, this path is a popular hiking and cycling trail, with the occasional original pipeline section still visible.

The Eagle’s Nest with a Dark Past

If you love history, you won’t be able to leave Berchtesgaden without visiting the Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus). A place with a haunting history lies high on the Kehlstein mountain and can be reached by bus, followed by a golden brass elevator ride.

Built as a 50th birthday gift for Adolf Hitler, this chalet-turned-restaurant offers one of the most incredible panoramic views in the world.

While the site itself is now a place for a meal with a view, the nearby Obersalzberg Documentation Center provides a stark look at the area’s role as a Nazi headquarters and a somber reflection on the past.

If you would like a deeper understanding of the history here, you can join the Eagle’s Nest Berchtesgaden Obersalzberg Private Half Day WWII Historical Tour, which includes insight into the mountain retreat and the surrounding area’s role during World War II. It is a meaningful way to experience the views while learning the full context of what once took place here.

Berchtesgaden National Park

The living essence of Berchtesgaden awaits in its National Park. Set amidst the dramatic Bavarian Alps, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is Germany’s only alpine park.

Crafted by glaciers and dominated by the mighty Watzmann massif, the park operates under the guiding principle, “let nature be nature.”

“The core zone, which encompasses about 75% of its total area, is a protected area where nature is left to thrive undisturbed, while the buffer zone allows for limited tourism and sustainable alpine farming.

We have more than 30 places for mountain farming all over the national park, but they look the same as they did 350 years ago,” says Klaus, a local ranger, standing next to a hut from 1668.

The Land of a Thousand-Year Tradition

Our half-day walk begins in one of the park’s three valleys, the Klausbach Valley.

As we follow the path from the Bindalm, a traditional alpine pasture where Sepp and his wife make fresh cheeses, we can almost hear the cowbells from centuries past.

These meadows are the result of a thousand years of alpine farming, a tradition that has shaped this landscape and kept it a biodiversity hotspot.

If you visit the park at the beginning of autumn, you might be lucky to witness the Bavarian Almabtrieb, a centuries-old tradition where cows, elaborately decorated with floral headdresses, are celebrated for their safe return from their summer alpine pastures to the valleys below.

From Klausbach Valley to Lakeside Serenity

The valley itself is a testament to the powerful, untamed forces of nature. We walk past evidence of massive rockfalls, like the one in 1999 that completely changed the landscape, burying roads and bridges.

Then, we reach the highlight of our journey: the Klausbachtal Swing Bridge, a 55-meter-long suspension bridge that sways gently as we cross it, suspended 11 meters above the Klausbach stream.

The trail slowly leads us to the tranquil shores of Hintersee.

This small, serene lake, framed by the jagged peaks of the Ramsau Dolomites, is a visual masterpiece.

As we stand by the calm waters, we can see the reflections of the “Magic Forest” and the surrounding mountains, while a few rowing boats glide by.

Königssee: A Journey of Silence and Echoes

To truly complete a trip to Berchtesgaden National Park, you must visit the natural spectacle of Königssee. We start our day at Königssee Seelände, stepping onto a silent electric boat.

The lack of engine noise is intentional, a preservation effort since 1909.

As we glide along, the cliffs rise dramatically from the water. Suddenly, our captain stops the boat and brings out a trumpet. He plays a single note, and it returns to us as a perfect echo from the Echo Wall, a stunning natural phenomenon.

Our first stop is Salet, a secluded landing point. From here, a short walk leads us to Lake Obersee, a mirror-like lake famous for the iconic boathouse reflected in its waters.

Next, the boat takes us to the peninsula of St. Bartholomä, home to the beautiful red-domed pilgrimage church from the 12th century.

You can take multiple hikes from this area, or, for the brave, even a swim in the cold, clear water of the lake.

While here, we prefer to enjoy a lunch of delicious, fresh char or trout, a local specialty from the lake, before returning back to Seelände.

Read More: Beyond the Beaten Path: Discovering Ancient Shepherd Routes in the Albanian Alps

Travel Planning In Bavaria

If You Go

Bavarian Forest National Park

For detailed information on hiking trails and the treetop path, visit the official website here.

Where to Stay: Hotel Zum Fürst’n is a family-run farm hotel in Eppenschlag, offering a cozy and authentic country experience with animals roaming around.

Berchtesgaden National Park

To plan your trip, including finding trail maps, visitor center details, and information on the park’s unique alpine environment, visit the Berchtesgaden National Park website.

Where to Stay: For an upscale stay in the heart of the village, consider EDELWEISS Berchtesgaden. It features a stunning rooftop pool and the Panorama restaurant with incredible views of the mountains, including the “king” Watzmann.

General Information on Bavaria: Find comprehensive information on culture, events, and travel destinations in Bavaria here.

Need a hand planning your trip? Here are the sites and services we rely on most, from booking tools to travel products we love.

Inspire your next adventure with our articles below:

• Skip the Crowds: 10 European Destinations That Are Actually Better in Fall
• Discover Europe’s Hidden Gems Away from the Crowds

Author Bio: Zuzana Zimmermannova is a globally experienced freelance journalist with a passion for storytelling who shares her perspective through articles in magazines, newspapers, and online publications. With a portfolio built across 50+ countries, she delivers compelling travel stories, in-depth interviews, and insightful reports. Her work has appeared in Forbes, GEO, Go World Travel Magazine and other leading publications. Currently based between Italy and Slovakia, she explores the world, uncovering authentic local stories through food, culture, and adventure.

Want to discover more hidden gems and helpful travel tips? Join our free newsletter for the latest travel secrets and travel articles.

We are reader-supported and may earn a commission on purchases made through links in this article.