The Berchtesgaden Panorama showcases a small alpine town surrounded by mountains and valleys in southeastern Bavaria, Germany.
Near the border with Austria and nestled in the heart of the Berchtesgaden Alps, this region is widely known for its peaks, lakes, and protected natural areas. There is a mix of accessible viewpoints and more demanding terrain, making it a destination for casual travelers, experienced hikers, and motivated photographers.
The Berchtesgaden Panorama is worth the climb
We visited Berchtesgaden, which is on the German side, on a day trip from the Austrian city of Salzburg. Visiting Berchtesgaden from Salzburg is a popular cross-border excursion, as the town lies just south of the Austrian city within the Bavarian Alps.
Before we took a tour of the nearby lake, we tried to find this viewpoint at a high altitude. It was easy to find it on the map, but it wasn’t that easy to drive up there, since the streets were very narrow and I took a few wrong turns. Ultimately, I decided to leave the car and hike the rest of the way up.
I definitely underestimated the steepness involved in the climb, but once we were up there, the views of the Berchtesgaden Panorama were breathtaking. A wide-angle shot captures church towers and traditional buildings framed by peaks, giving the impression of a natural amphitheatre.
I took this photo in the early afternoon, and there was still a bit of fog in the valleys. When I saw that, I thought: “We need to drive up to catch that panorama”, and we were right on time. Once we were driving down towards the lake in the distance, the fog was already disappearing, so we were lucky to catch it earlier.
More beautiful photo spots near Berchtesgaden
Königssee: an emerald-green lake, located about 5 to 6 km from Berchtesgaden. The walking route known as Königsseer Fußweg actually leads from Berchtesgaden to the southern shore of the Königssee.
The Watzmann: the third highest mountain in Germany, located in the Berchtesgaden Alps, serves as the visual anchor of many Berchtesgaden Panorama compositions.
The Rossfeld Panoramastrasse, or Rossfeldstrasse: considered one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the world, offering sweeping views over the Berchtesgaden Alps and Salzburg region.
Hintersee (Ramsau): A picturesque lake with wooden boats, surrounded by forests.
The Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest): a historic building with elevated panoramic views, which will be especially interesting for followers of Germany’s history.
If you are staying in Salzburg as your base, I can highly recommend a trip to Hallstatt Lake. You can photograph the infamous Hallstatt sunset, or stay a little longer to enjoy the Hallstatt Old Town at night.
