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Travel

Berchtesgaden National Park

July 27, 2018

The Berchtesgaden National Park in Bavaria was founded on August 1, 1978 and attracts 1.5 million visitors a year. Its landmark is the 2713 meter high Watzmann mountain, at the foot of which the Königssee sparkles.

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Nationalpark Berchtesgaden Königssee und Watzmann
Image: picture alliance/Arco Images/W. Wirth

It is the only German national park in the Alps. The Berchtesgaden National Park in south-east Bavaria is characterised by steep cliffs, but also by green alpine pastures and clear mountain lakes. Marmots, chamois and golden eagles are native here.In 40 years, the park has become one of Bavaria's most visited tourist attractions. Down in the valley on a peninsula lies the famous St. Bartholomä Chapel, which tourists can only reach comfortably by boat.

Koenigssee mit St. Bartholomae, Koenigssee and St Bartholomae
The Königssee and St. BartholomäImage: picture alliance/blickwinkel

The Bavarian Forest National Park is still eight years older than the Berchtesgaden National Park, making it the oldest national park in Germany. From the coast to the Alps, there are a total of 16 specially protected natural areas as a national park.