A Grand Nature Journey

Our thirst for nature continues to make our hearts race. When the call of the vast expanses becomes stronger, resisting it is futile: it's better to pack our bags and set sail! Europe is our new playground, and Germany and Berchtesgaden, a land of powerful landscapes: a true nature wonderland!

Arriving under the drizzle and mist, Bavaria welcomes us with an aura of mystery. The peaks of the mountains are only glimpsed between two fluffy clouds. From the Saxon Switzerland, the journey has been long, and the landscapes have changed significantly. We feel transported to an entirely different world. Gone are the slender rocks with rounded tops inviting children to play. Here we are in Berchtesgaden, in the realm of giants, surrounded and dominated by mountains with vertiginous peaks.

In the boat that gently rocks me on Lake Koenigsee, the scenery mesmerizes me and invites me to a morning nap (a habit since my sleeping sickness set in). The soft purr of the boat's electric motor harmonizes with my own, or is it the other way around? The emerald green water resembles a plush bed, awaiting the lush mountain above to envelop it like a giant comforter. Snuggled under my mountain, my thoughts evaporate in pleasure.

The mountains surround me like so many guardrails to my drowsiness: Jenner, Watzmann, Schönfeldespitze...

In the distance, a powerful waterfall jolts me from my reverie, waking me just enough to leave me surprised by the strength of the elements... and to dream again. The red tiles of St. Bartholomew announce the halfway point of the crossing. We continue to the end of the lake, to Salet. From there we disembark for a short hike to Lake Obersee and its powerful Röthbachfall waterfall in the distance.

The little cabin by Obersee welcomes us, mystical. And behind it, in the distance, one can already sense the power of the Röthbachfall waterfall. A daydream. These colors, these lights, this space... Nature with a capital N.

The rain continues to accompany us a bit longer, playing with us like a child running ahead of its parents, darting away only to return laughing. But neither the drops nor the mist diminish the beauty of the landscapes; on the contrary! Beautiful red cows, indifferent to both the elements and the hikers, chew their cud along the path. Droplets bead and slide down their lovely brown and white patches... I wish they would do the same on my skin!

The pebbles lining the path remind us of Scotland, the mountain pines of Canada, and the turquoise and opalescent water of postcard landscapes from New Zealand. But no, we are definitely in Germany!

I breathe in pleasure. I walk with joy. I feel like my body weighs less than before, as if this airy landscape is not subject to the same gravitational force. I almost forget my fatigue and illness. I yawn... but with delight!

In practice: Address: Schifffahrt Königssee, Seestraße 55, 83471 Schönau am Königssee Schedule: first boat departs at 8 AM (9:30 AM in winter), last at 3:45 PM; in winter, boats go only to St. Bartholomew and not to Salet/Obersee Website: for more information on Koenigsee and on the boats.

Days roll on, but they do not resemble each other. The sun and the moon play with the mountain peaks and the bluish mirrors of the lakes. The hours of the day pass by, shifting mist and clouds, giving warm tones to the rocky walls.

Here are some of our favorite viewpoints in Berchtesgaden.

By the shores of Hintersee, we witnessed the sunrise, the mist evaporate, and the sun conquer the valley. The wispy clouds of early morning lent an epic feel to the landscape.

And just when the first rays of the sun broke over the peaks of the western mountains, the light flooded the valley, reflecting the mountains in the perfect mirror of the lake. A timeless moment where only the sound of cowbells disturbed the tranquility of the scene.

The morning view made us want to return, this time at night, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way. We were there on a full moon night, which is not ideal for photographing stars, but while our camera was left wanting, our eyes were filled with wonder. Admiring a starry sky above the mountains reflecting in the lake: a perfect recipe for a romantic evening in nature!

In practice: Address: Hinter-See, 83486 Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, Germany

Not far from the tranquil lake, the water stirs. Bavaria is not just plains and mountains: it's also gorges and canyons.

The gorges and canyons will reveal images you're not likely to forget. Idyllistic, the Almbach Gorge near Marktschellen Berg with its roaring waterfalls is one of the most beautiful in Bavaria.

In practice: Address: Wimbachklamm, Ramsau (parking: Wimbachbrücke, paid) Hours: 7 AM to 7 PM (from May 1 to November 1) Fee: a token to be purchased (2 €) to pass through the access barrier to the river promenade Website: more information on the Berchtesgaden website

Not having the strength to hike up to the peaks surrounding the lake, I set off by cable car to gain some height. The Jennerbahn cable car takes us to the summit of Mount Jenner.

It's in a very small cabin, just big enough for the two of us, that we embark. Gradually, we gain altitude and the landscape unveils itself, revealing a lake and meadows populated by cows basking in the sun.

Once we reach the end of the cable car, a short walk separates us from the cross that overlooks the station. And what a view! Konigsee and St. Bartholomew's Cathedral take on such different appearances at this altitude. A pleasure to discover these landscapes in all their glory.

From the station, several hiking trails are available, some allowing walkers to remain at high altitude and others bringing them back to their starting point in the valley.

In practice: Address: Jennerbahnstraße 18, 83471 Schönau am Königssee Website: Jennerbahn General info: hikers who have the time and energy can reach the summit by hiking. There is a restaurant and a shop at the cable car's arrival point.

A concentrated dose of beauty like a road trip! Certainly one of the most beautiful roads we've had the chance to take so far. Leading to a ridge 1,600 meters high, along the Austrian border, the Rossfeld panoramic road offered us breathtaking views of stunning beauty and power. Bathed in the last rays of sunlight, the scenery of Berchtesgaden was draped in warm hues of yellow and orange.

On the menu: views of the Salzach River valley and the city of Salzburg, the Hoher Göll and Kehlstein Mountains (on which the Eagle's Nest is perched), the Tennen Massif, and the Untersberg.

And for those wanting to stretch their legs, this road is also a good starting point for several mountain hikes, such as to the Purtscheller Haus hut or to Kehlstein Haus (the Eagle's Nest).

In practice: Address: Rossfeldstraße, 83471 Berchtesgaden Fee: 8 € per car Website: Rossfeld

To immerse ourselves more deeply in these landscapes, we made this short video: one minute to take you hiking in nature's grandeur!

A promising name! We greatly appreciated the setting and style of this hotel, which offers ample space for gathering and storing equipment for more sporty explorers (bikes in summer, skis in winter). Special mention for the reading nook in the room, nestled against the window with a view of the surrounding mountains.

A hotel that aims to be green, not only in the color of its walls: paying particular attention to energy and the environment with low CO2 consumption and positive environmental performance, the hotel is carbon neutral.

It offers competitive rates and a half-board option with a restaurant pass in collaboration with several local restaurants.

Address: Explorer Hotel Berchtesgaden Hofreitstr. 783471 Schönau am Königssee Germany Website: Explorer Hotel

We dined at the hotel's partner restaurants and were delighted.

A hotel with a cozy restaurant, where servers greet you in traditional attire. Special mention for the pancake soup (sure to win over even the biggest soup-averse children).

Address: Im Weiherermoos 1, 83471 Schönau am Königssee, Bavaria, Germany

Right at the foot of the cable car of the same name. A family-friendly address in a picturesque setting for a good meal.

Address: Jennerbahnstr. 18, 83471 Schönau, Bavaria, Germany

In a few days on site, we only skimmed the beauty of the region with the tips of our soles. There are still many more landscapes and activities to discover... and the thought of seeing these peaks under snow makes us very eager to return in winter!

In partnership with the German Tourism Office for the campaign > and the Tourism Office of Berchtesgaden.

To continue reading More nature travel ideas in Germany: Nature and Fairy Tales in Saxon Switzerland Nature Road Trip in Saar: Itinerary and Good Addresses

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