Hike ancient salt paths from Germany’s Lake Chiemsee to Austria’s Lake Koniggsee
The long hike from Chiemsee to Königssee offers a varied landscape. Lovely shores are followed by historic salt mines and the steep edged mountain walls of the Chiemgau Alps and the Steinerne Meer. On this hike you’ll find green-blue mountain lakes, scenic nature reserves and lots to learn about the white gold.
Typical Bavarian farms and a quiet nature reserve kick off your hike on the Chiemsee. A valley trail takes you to the famous resort of Winkl, from where you can hike past the Biathlon Arena in Ruhpolding. With a little luck, you can watch the roll ski training there. The brine pipeline trail finally brings you to Schönau and the green Königssee. Your constant companions along the entire route: panoramic views and thundering waterfalls.
Highlights of the Salzalpensteig Trekking Tour
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Salzalpensteig Trekking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival to Lake Chiemsee
Arrive at the beautiful Lake Chiemsee and spend here the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Lake Chiemsee
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Walk along Lake Chiemsee to Marquartstein
The tour starts with a comfortable walk along the incredibly picturesque lakeside of Lake Chiemsee, through tranquil nature reserves near the reed belt. You encounter a charming landscape with little forest paths and typical Bavarian farm houses dotted around on your route to Marquartstein.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Marquartstein
Distance: 5-6 hours, 21km, 490m of ascent, 470m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Walk to Bergen
Today prepare for an idyllic alpine pasture tour. After the ascent to the Schnappenkirchlein, where you have the best views of Lake Chiemsee, there are numerous alps inviting you for a break. The route continues past grazing cattle with views to steep summit flanks, then through lush meadows and shady forests into the well-known holiday resort Bergen.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bergen
Distance: 5-6 hours, 17km, 800m of ascent, 700m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Summit Taborkircherl en route to Ruhpolding
A breezy cable car ride will take you to Hochfelln, where you will visit the Taborkircherl and the impressive summit cross and enjoy a fantastic view of the Central Alps. About pastures and forest roads, it goes down into the mystical fairy tale forest. Soon after you reach Ruhpolding, the popular resort in the middle of the Chiemgau Alps.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ruhpolding
Distance: 4 to 5 hours, 14km, 150m of ascent, 1.100m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Walk to the health resort of Inzell
Along the river Ache to Lake Taubensee and from there a cable car ascent onto the Rauschberg with magnificent panoramic views. The descent leads via alpine pastures and past steep rockfaces, before you walk on forest and rural trails all the way to the climatic health resort Inzell. The typical Bavarian flair and the views onto the surrounding summits are best enjoyed with a cool ‘Maß’(1 litre) of beer in your hand.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Inzell
Distance: 4 to 5,5 hours, 18km, 110m of ascent, 990m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Walk aboe Lake Thumsee to Bad Reichenhall
Walk along the path of the brine pipelines and through the idyllic Höllenbachalm, where you can taste fresh dairy products from the own grazing cattle. The Salt Path leads you above the cute little mountain Lake Thumsee, along forest paths with a view onto Bad Reichenhall. Past the Old Saltworks you reach this beautiful salt health resort, where the Rupertus-Thermal spa invites your muscles to some relaxation time.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bad Reichenhall
Distance: 5 to 5,5 hours, 20km, 400m of ascent, 600m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Walk to Lake Königssee
Short train ride and then ascent to a glorious and remote forest area. High-altitude paths with incredible panoramic views lead you along the mountainside with the ‘Steinerne Meer’ mountain range and the two summits Watzmann and Hochkönig in front of you. Then a short section along the brine pipeline path, before you ascend through the forest to the Grünstein mountain. Glistening deep down below you is Lake Königssee, green in colour, with boat houses and little boats, set amidst the national park Berchtesgaden and is the picturesque finish of your hiking holiday.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Lake Königssee
Distance: 5 to 6 hours, 17km, 1.100m of ascent, 1.110m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure or extension
Departure your hotel after the breakfast.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only, where the pricing depends on your travelling dates, as well as the types of rooms that you need.
2025 Departures:
The departures are available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from May 23rd to September 28th, 2025.
- Single room: from $1,275 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $1,050 USD*
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates. The prices listed are per person.
Book NowAccommodation on Salzalpensteig Trekking Tour
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Lake Chiemsee
Stay in a comfortable hotel in the central location of the town.
Hotel Weßner Hof in Marquartstein
Hotel Wessner Hof is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Marquartstein, offering a family-friendly environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.
Hotel Salzburger Hof in Bergen
Welcome to Hotel Salzburger Hof, your Bergen “home away from home.” Hotel Salzburger Hof aims to make your visit as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, which is why so many guests continue to come back year after year.
Hotel Alp Inn in Ruhpolding
If you’re looking for a family-friendly inn in Ruhpolding, look no further than Hotel Alp Inn. For those interested in checking out Unternberg Sesselbahn (3.2 km) while visiting Ruhpolding, Hotel Alp Inn is a short distance away.
Hotel Alpinhotel Inzeller in Inzell
Everyone needs a place to lay their weary head. For travelers visiting Inzell, Alpinhotel INzeller is an excellent choice for rest and rejuvenation.
Hotel Almrausch in Bad Reichenhall
Hotel Almrausch is an excellent choice for travellers visiting Bad Reichenhall, offering a family-friendly environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.
Hotel Brandtnerhof in Königssee/Berchtesgaden
Enjoy your stay in a typical inn in the alpine region of Germany.
What’s Included in the Salzalpensteig Trekking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes luggage transfers, however, you will be walking from town to town yourself.
Also Included
- Luggage transfer
- Welcome briefing (German, English)
- 1 Cable car ascent Hochfelln
- Train ride Bad Reichenhall - Bischofswiesen
- 1 Ruhpolding-Card with countless services included
- 1 Entry old salt works in Bad Reichenhall
- Carefully elaborated route description
- Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
- Navigation-App and GPS-data available
- Service hotline
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Guide services
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Return transfer
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