With its majestic peaks, deep blue lakes, and unspoiled alpine pastures—the Berchtesgadener Land is one of Germany’s most beautiful natural regions. It encompasses a UNESCO biosphere reserve and Germany’s only alpine national park. In the realm of the legendary Watzmann, between Königssee and Jenner, the alpine landscape reveals its wild and romantic side, which you can enjoy in a conscious and sustainable way.

An eco-friendly vacation in the Berchtesgadener Land region

When you visit the Berchtesgadener Land region, you immediately sense that nature is the main attraction here. From rugged high mountains to gentle Alpine foothills, the landscape boasts an unmatched diversity of impressive beauty. The area’s core zone is protected by Berchtesgaden National Park, the only Alpine national park in Germany and part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Berchtesgadener Land.

Berchtesgadener Land is located in southeastern Bavaria, right on the border with Austria. The region comprises the municipalities of Berchtesgaden, Bischofswiesen, Marktschellenberg, Ramsau, Schönau am Königssee, Bayerisch Gmain, and Schneizlreuth, as well as the spa town of Bad Reichenhall.

Many hosts, restaurateurs, and leisure providers are actively committed to protecting this extraordinary landscape. You can support them by making eco-friendly decisions, such as choosing sustainable accommodations, regional cuisine, and mindful excursions into nature.

Reaching Berchtesgadener Land – without a car or plane

The Berchtesgadener Land region is located in the heart of Europe, between Salzburg and Munich. It has excellent rail and long-distance bus connections. If you are traveling within Europe, there is no need to fly. Traveling by train or bus is not only better for the environment, but also usually much more relaxing.

Get to the Berchtesgadener Land region by train

The most convenient way to reach the Berchtesgadener Land region is by train via Salzburg, which is only about 20 kilometers away. You can reach Salzburg by train directly or with only one change from many European cities, such as Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, or Vienna. From there, the Bayerische Regionalbahn (BRB) will take you to Berchtesgaden. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle to your accommodation.

Arrival by long-distance bus

The long-distance bus is an often overlooked but equally eco-friendly alternative to cars or flying.

In a previous blog article, we took an in-depth look at long-distance buses as an alternative to trains, planes, and cars. Studies have shown that emissions savings compared to cars are roughly the same as those for trains.

Currently, FlixBus offers around 176 direct connections from all over Europe to Salzburg. Although it takes significantly longer, it is also significantly cheaper.

For example: The journey from Frankfurt to Salzburg takes around eight hours and twenty minutes and costs approximately €34 each way (as of October 2025). The train journey from Frankfurt to Salzburg takes only 5 hours, but a ticket costs around €130 each way, almost €100 more.

Tip: Experience Berchtesgadener Land without a car

You can easily get around without your own car. The Berchtesgadener Land region has an extensive bus and train network connecting the major towns and attractions. Many accommodations offer pickup services from the train or bus station, e-bike rentals, and guest cards that allow you to use public transportation for free or at a reduced rate.

At Klosterhof Alpine Hideaway & Spa, you will receive a (digital) guest card from Kur GmbH Bad Reichenhall. It allows you to use local transportation in Bad Reichenhall and beyond, including the regional train to Salzburg, free of charge.

Sustainable accommodation in the Berchtesgadener Land region

Are you looking for accommodations in the Berchtesgadener Land region that blend nature, wellness, and enjoyment? If so, the Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Bayerisch Gmain is perfect for you. The Färber family transformed the former monastery estate and later inn into a modern wellness and health hotel with great passion. Here, you will experience alpine luxury with a down-to-earth feel — sustainable, warm, and offering magnificent mountain views.

The 1,500-square-meter Artemacur Spa, completely redesigned in 2025, is one of the highlights of this Bavarian wellness hotel. You can relax in the heated outdoor pool with panoramic views, sweat it out in the wood-paneled bio sauna, or swim a few laps in the indoor pool while gazing at an open fire. Yoga and medical wellness services are also available.

In terms of cuisine, you’ll also be well catered to: a hearty breakfast with regional products awaits you in the morning, a healthy lunch bowl bar is available at lunchtime, and in the evening, Chef Sascha Förster spoils you with a varied menu selection that always includes vegetarian or vegan options. Everything is fresh, seasonal, and sustainably sourced.

• Tip: If you’re traveling as a couple and looking for a special experience, consider the spectacular spa loft rooms, which have a private whirlpool and sauna. 🙂

Sustainable enjoyment in the Berchtesgadener Land region

Bavaria is known for its hearty cuisine featuring meat, cheese, and dairy products integral to its traditions. In the Berchtesgadener Land region, Molkerei Berchtesgadener Land, located in Piding, processes milk sourced from local mountain farmers.

However, if you want to travel in a climate-friendly way, it’s best to opt for vegetables and plant-based alternatives. Around Berchtesgaden, there are many small organic farms and farm shops that offer fresh, seasonal vegetables and other regional products. Some examples are Hoißei’s Bio Hofladen in Teisendorf and mein-bauernhof.de. When shopping or picnicking, remember to use reusable items instead of disposable ones. This reduces waste and helps protect the nature you came here to enjoy.

Psst: If you want to experience something extraordinary, then check out “Secret Forest Fine Dining.”

Hiking in the Berchtesgadener region — experience nature right on your doorstep

The Berchtesgadener Land offers suitable tours for every fitness and motivation level, whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a summit tour with views. There are also countless ways to explore the surrounding mountains from the Klosterhof. Many hiking trails begin right outside the hotel.

Although it should be common sense everywhere, when hiking in the national park, pay particular attention to the “leave no trace” rule and take care not to disturb the wildlife. Always stay on the designated trails.

Riding the historic Predigtstuhlbahn cable car is a special experience. Once you reach the top, you can relax and enjoy the view on the circular hiking trail. The view from the Jenner at Königssee is equally impressive. You can reach it by cable car, and tickets are available at the hotel reception desk.

• Tip: The Klosterhof offers great assistance with planning hikes, and a hiking guide is also available at the hotel. You can view the current offerings in the activity program. In addition to hiking, the program includes city tours, Nordic walking, bike tours, and guided forest bathing.

Further excursion tips in the Berchtesgadener Land region

In addition to the impressive hikes, there is much more to discover in the Berchtesgadener Land region. Some exciting and recommended activities are…

• … a visit to the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, where you can follow in the footsteps of centuries of salt mining history.
• … the National Park Center “Haus der Berge” in Berchtesgaden, where you can learn about the flora, fauna, and geology of Germany’s only alpine national park in an interactive way
• …the Königssee in Schönau is another must-see. Taking a trip across the tranquil lake in an electric boat is an experience in itself.

For more ideas and sights in the Berchtesgadener Land region, check out this interesting blog:
 👉  kekseundkoffer.de – Sights in Berchtesgaden

P.S. When planning your return trip, consider stopping in Salzburg, Mozart’s hometown. It’s just a few miles away and the perfect place to add a little culture and city flair to your nature vacation.

The Berchtesgadener Land region demonstrates the versatility of sustainable vacations: untouched nature, mindful wellness, regional cuisine, genuine relaxation, and exciting cultural experiences are all easily accessible here. It’s a place that lets you slow down and shows you how wonderfully sustainability and vacations can be combined.

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