The Berchtesgaden Alps are one of the most dramatic corners of the Northern Alps — a wild mountain range straddling Germany and Austria, crowned by the legendary Watzmann. Here, jagged ridgelines, turquoise lakes and vast limestone plateaus create postcard scenery while still delivering serious mountain challenges.

The landscape is dominated by the steep rocky massifs of Watzmann and Hochkalter, alongside sprawling, cave-riddled plateaus like the Steinernes Meer and Hagengebirge. Views over the fjord-like Königssee, framed by sheer cliffs, are simply breathtaking, and the valleys are filled with alpine pastures, herders' huts and rushing streams.

Highlights:

• Hochkönig (2941 m) — the region's highest peak, entirely on Austrian territory
• Watzmann (2713 m) — the region's icon, famous for its 1800 m east face, the highest in the Eastern Alps
• Königssee — a fjord-like lake beneath the Watzmann, one of Bavaria's most photographed sights
• Steinernes Meer — a vast limestone plateau riddled with karst formations

Practical info:

• Best time: June to September — snow clears from higher terrain and trails are fully accessible
• Base towns: Berchtesgaden, Ramsau, Saalfelden
• Trail difficulty: from easy strolls around Königssee to demanding climbing routes on Watzmann
• Getting there: by car via the A8 motorway from Munich or Salzburg, or by train to Berchtesgaden

The Watzmann's 1800-metre east face is considered the highest rock wall in the Eastern Alps — and its dangerous reputation has claimed the lives of many ambitious climbers, feeding local legend.