71% of the earth's surface is covered with water, but only about 3% of this is available as fresh water. In the Dachstein limestone of the national park, fresh water seeks its own underground paths until it comes to the surface in the form of springs. Numerous animals have adapted to this water habitat with amazing abilities. They not only exhibit special characteristics, but also say a lot about the quality of the water.
On a guided tour at Hintersee you will learn more about the water cycle in the mountains and the lake habitat with all its special features. With a little luck, you will have the opportunity to observe different aquatic animals.
Route:
On easy paths along the shores of the Hintersee.
Contents:
Lake and stream habitat
Water cycle
Water quality
Wildlife in and around water
Meeting place:
After arrangement
Duration:
About 3 Hours
Target group:
8th grade to high school
Requirements:
Also for people with walking difficulties, good shoes
The magnificent high mountain landscape around the Watzmann and Königssee is one of the main attractions of the Bavarian Alps all year round. A wide variety of uses and major nature conservation goals have had to be reconciled here for more than 100 years. Over 1.6 million visitors a year to one of the most species-rich areas in Germany! How does it work? On a winter hike in the valleys of the national park, you will learn more about the special features of the protected area and get to know the aims and history of Germany's only Alpine national park.
Route:
The tour can take place in the Klausbach, Wimbach or Königsseetal valleys.
Contents:
Goals and tasks of the national park
Natural dynamics
Altitude levels and vegetation zones
Flora and fauna in winter
Meeting place:
National Park Information Point Hintersee (Klausbachhaus), National Park Information Point Wimbachbrücke, National Park Information Point St. Bartholomä
In the core zone of the national park, nature is left to its own devices. Bark beetle infestations, windfalls and avalanches - often perceived by us humans as wild and threatening - are part of nature and embed themselves in the natural cycles of the forest. During a hike through the Klausbach Valley, you can observe the exciting development of the forests up close.
There you can marvel at the individual stages of natural forest development in the core zone and gain insight into the various forest management measures within the national park's care zone.
Route:
From the information point Hintersee to Hirschbichl or in reverse order. A partial route can be covered with the AlmErlebnisBus. Refreshment stops available (please note current Corona regulations).
Contents:
Zoning in the National Park
Natural cycles in the mountain forest
Forest management and wildlife regulation
Functions of the mountain forest
Meeting place:
National Park Information Point Hintersee
Duration:
4 – 6 Hours
Target group:
9th grade to high school
Requirements:
Average to good condition and sturdy shoes
Costs:
Possibly AlmErlebnisBus
The Berchtesgaden National Park is divided into two different zones. In the core zone, which covers 75% of the area of the national park, nature is left to its own devices. In the remaining 25% - the so-called maintenance zone - there are many different uses whose origins date back to long before the national park was founded in 1978.
Here, different forms of use such as alpine farming and tourism meet directly with natural events such as windthrow, avalanches and rockfalls. On your excursion you will learn on site which management measures are necessary to reconcile the goals of the protected area with the interests of locals and guests.
Route:
The excursion can be carried out in the Jenner area or in the Klausbach valley.
Contents:
Goals of the National Park
Zoning
National park planning and management measures
Different forms of use in the national park
Natural events and natural developments
Meeting place:
Depending on the route
Duration:
5 – 6 Hours
Target group:
9th grade to high school
Requirements
Average to good condition and sturdy shoes
Costs:
Depending on the route possibly Jennerbahn or AlmErlebnisbus
In the Wimbach Valley between the mighty mountain massifs of the Watzmann and the Hochkalter, you can experience the geology of the Berchtesgaden Alps up close. The water there has dug deep through the different layers of rock, giving insight into the geological history of the Alps. The trail leads through the impressive Wimbachklamm gorge to the Wimbachgries, one of the largest free-flowing debris flows in the Northern Alps.
On site you will get to know and distinguish the most important rock types. In addition, you will learn how the Wimbach valley was formed and which creatures prefer to use this habitat.
Route:
From the Wimbachbrücke to the Wimbachschloss and back. Refreshment stop at the Wimbachschloss with hut service (please note current Corona regulations).
Contents:
Geology of the Berchtesgaden Alps using the example of the Wimbach Valley
Formation of the Alps
Characteristic rock types and their weathering
Typical terrain forms
Meeting place:
National Park Information Point Wimbachbrücke
Duration:
3 – 4 Hours
Target group:
9th grade to high school
Requirements
Average to good condition and sturdy shoes
Costs:
Wimbachklamm
Little by little, the large predators are returning to their former habitats. Revered as cult animals on the one hand, vehemently persecuted and exterminated on the other - the common history of wolf, bear, lynx and man has always been marked by contrasts. On a hike through the Klausbach Valley you will learn about the demands of the animals on their habitat and learn more about their way of life. What conflicts can arise from the return? And what possibilities does wildlife management have in store for a coexistence with as little conflict as possible?
Route:
From the National Park information point Hintersee to Klausbach valley and back to the starting point.
Contents:
History and way of life of the large carnivores
Habitat requirements
Current distribution
Conflicts and management measures
Meeting place:
National Park Information Point Hintersee
Duration:
3 – 4 Hours
Target group:
9th grade to high school
Requirements:
Average condition + mountain boots
Costs:
Possibly AlmErlebnisBus
Golden eagles and bearded vultures are truly "kings of the air". Despite their size, they don't need a single wing beat to glide up several hundred meters in altitude!
On a hike through the Klausbach Valley, you will learn interesting facts about the way of life and endangerment of these two impressive birds of prey, as well as information about measures to protect these impressive species. While looking over their territories, their natural feeding areas and into an eyrie wall, you will learn a lot of exciting things, e.g. also about the extraordinary and different feeding habits of both bird species.
Route:
From the National Park information point Hintersee to the golden eagle observation point in Klausbach Valley and back to the starting point.
Contents:
Occurrence and endangerment
Protection measures
Hunting strategies
Breeding behavior
Meeting place:
National Park Information Point Hintersee
Duration:
2 – 3 Hours
Target group:
9th grade to high school
Requirements:
average condition, sturdy shoes, binoculars
Winter program
The water habitat holds many secrets and shows fascinating beauties, especially in winter. How do the animals by the water survive the severe winter in the mountains? What life is hiding under the ice? What are the temperatures in winter waters? On a tour of the Hintersee you will get to know the water habitat in winter and learn more about the adaptation strategies of animals and plants to the cold season.
Route:
Easy hike along the Hintersee in Ramsau and back to the starting point.
Contents:
Temperatures in standing and flowing water
Flora and fauna
on the water in winter
Meeting place:
Parking Seeklause
Duration:
2 ½ Hours
Target group:
Adults
Requirements:
Average condition + mountain boots
The magnificent high mountain landscape around Watzmann and Königssee is one of the main attractions of the Bavarian Alps all year round. A wide range of uses and major nature conservation goals have had to be coordinated here for more than 100 years. Over 1.6 million visitors a year to one of the most species-rich areas in Germany! How does this work? On a winter hike in the valleys of the national park, you will learn more about the special features of the protected area and get to know the goals and history of the only German Alpine national park.
Route:
The tour can take place in Klausbachtal or at Malerwinkel.
Contents:
Goals and tasks of the national park
Natural dynamics
Elevations and vegetation zones
Flora and fauna in winter
Meeting place:
National Park information point Hintersee (Klausbachhaus), or TI information point Königssee parking lot
Duration:
2 ½ Hours
Target group:
from 11th grade / adults
Request:
Average condition + mountain boots
Costs:
none
From late autumn, the red deer can no longer find food on the snow-covered mountains and move to lower valley locations. On a hike in the snow-covered Klausbachtal you will learn a lot of interesting facts about the way of life of deer and hind and have the opportunity to look at different antlers and skins up close. With a bit of luck you can observe the otherwise shy wild animals. An approximately eleven meter high wooden tower allows you to observe the red deer from two viewing platforms at three and six meters high. Visitors with restricted mobility can also reach the first viewing level via a covered, barrier-free ramp.
Route:
From the information point to the game feeding station in Klausbachtal and back (feeding time at the game feeding station at 2:00 p.m.)
Contents:
Way of life of the deer
Purpose of winter feeding
Habitat Klausbachtal with its typical animal species golden eagle and chamois
Meeting place:
National Park Information Point Hintersee
Duration:
2 ½ Hours
Target group:
Adults
Requirements:
average condition; mountain boots; Bring binoculars!
Bit by bit, the large predators are returning to their former habitats. On a hike through the wintry Klausbach valley, you will not only learn about the way of life of the predators, but also about possible conflicts that may arise due to their return. Learn more about the approaches to solutions for a low-conflict coexistence that are being developed within the framework of wildlife management.
Route:
From the National Park Information Point Hintersee to Klausbach Valley and back to the starting point.
Contents:
History and way of life of the large carnivores
Current distribution
Habitat requirements
Conflicts and management measures
Meeting place:
National Park Information Point Hintersee
Duration:
3 ½ Hours
Target group:
Adults
Requirements:
Average condition + mountain boots
Golden eagles and bearded vultures are truly "kings of the air". Despite their size, they don't need a single flap of their wings to glide up several hundred meters in altitude!
On a hike through the Klausbachtal you will learn interesting facts about the way of life and the endangerment of the two imposing birds of prey as well as information about measures to protect these impressive animal species. When you look over their territory, their natural feeding areas and a nest wall, you will learn a lot of exciting things, e.g. about the feeding habits of both bird species that are as unusual as they are different.
Route:
From the National Park Information Point Hintersee to the golden eagle observation point in Klausbachtal and back to the starting point.
Contents:
Occurrence and threat
protective measures
hunting strategies
breeding behavior
Meeting place:
National Park Information Point Hintersee
Duration:
2 ½ Hours
Target group:
Adults
Requirements:
average condition; mountain boots; Bring binoculars!
Contact
Field of Environmental Education
Doktorberg 6
83471 Berchtesgaden
