Date of travel: Oct 10, 2023
The regions of Bavaria, Salzburg, and Tyrol are renowned for their stunning natural landscapes, charming towns, and rich cultural heritage. Let’s embark on a journey to explore the majestic Untersberg, serene Zell am See, and tranquil Walchsee.
Majestic Untersberg
Located near Salzburg, Austria, the Untersberg massif (compact group of mountains) offers spectacular views of the surrounding Alps, Salzburg and Salzach valley. A range of outdoor activities from hiking and climbing to exploring its unique geology and caves, the Untersberg is a nature lover’s paradise and very popular day trip destination among locals and tourists.
The massif is mainly made of limestone and is home to several caves featuring stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Famous Schellenberger ice cave, Germany’s largest and only show ice cave is also here. One third of Untersberg is situated in Austria, two thirds is in Bavaria and it measures 1972 meters at its highest point.
We hired a car from Salzburg and reached a small village Grodig at the Bavarian border from where the cable car (Untersbergbahn) starts. Within 9 minutes it took us to the upper station Geiereck at 1776 meters where a magnificent view over the whole landscape was awaiting us.
Cable car usually operates from 9 am to 5 pm depending on season and ticket costs 34 Euro per adult. Wheelchair accessibility is limited and should be enquired about before taking the car.
Charming Berchtesgaden
Our next stop was charming township Berchtesgaden, my favourite destination because of its natural beauty. This is the town from where you go to historical Eagle’s nest or serene lake Konigsee or lovely National park.
The town also offers numerous hiking trails, mountain biking or paragliding opportunities and is a great location for winter sports lovers.
We strolled for some time along its narrow lively streets and took short break to have coffee and delicious local pastries.
We moved on and drove towards Zell am See through Bischofswiesen, a picturesque municipality in the Bavarian Germany surrounded by stunning mountains of the Alpine region.
Serene Zell am See
Situated in the heart of the Austrian Alps, Zell am See is a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Zell. Enjoy water sports, hiking, and biking in the surrounding mountains, or simply relax in the serene atmosphere of this quiet lake.
Lake Zell, a peanut-shaped lake with an area of 4.7 square kilometers, is surrounded by majestic horse-shoe shaped mountain slopes, predominantly forested. The Schmittenhöhe mountain, standing at 1965 meters, is a popular winter sports and skiing destination.
The charming town of Zell am See has a rich history, with continuous settlement since Roman times. Today, it’s a luxury tourist resort, boasting attractions like:
St Hippolyte’s Church
This Romanesque-style church is the oldest building in the region, showcasing the town’s cultural heritage.
Grand Hotel Zell am See
A landmark of the town, this luxury hotel offers upscale accommodations and stunning views.
We drove via scenic Saalfelden valley and municipality of Kossen which is paradise for air sports like paragliding. Scenic Walchsee was our next destination.
Tranquil Walchsee
In the Kaiserwinkl region of Tyrol, Austria, lies the tranquil Walchsee lake town. Surrounded by mountains and lush forests, Walchsee offers a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation. We took some memorable photographs and watched beautiful sunset over the lake which remained etched in our memories forever.
How to Reach
- By Air – Salzburg airport is 16 km away from Untersberg, 30 km away from Berchtesgaden, and 80 km away from Zell am See.
- By Train –Berchtesgaden has train station connected to major German cities like Munich and Freilassing. Zell am See train station has regular train connections to Salzburg, Innsbruck and other nearby Austrian cities.
- By Road – Regular bus services are available to all these cities. However best way to visit is to hire a car and drive down to thses enchanting places comforatably.
Where to Stay
All kinds of accommodations are available at Zell am See.
