Adventure hike along the brine pipeline trail in Berchtesgaden
The hike starts at the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine
From the salt mine, take a leisurely 15-minute walk along Salzburger Straße towards the town centre. You will pass the student research centre and soon reach the Schachernkreuz – here, turn into Locksteinstraße. The path leads you through the idyllic Nonntal valley. Shortly after the Pilspub Charivari, you will see the ascent to Lockstein on your right – and with it the entrance to the brine pipeline trail.
You have reached the highest point of the brine pipeline trail!
After only 5 minutes, you will reach the foundations of the former elevated tank. A large information board and replica brine pipes show you how the ‘pipeline’ used to run. You are now at the highest point of the hike! From here, the trail continues pleasantly along the slope. After another 5 minutes, you follow the historic course of the brine pipeline in a southerly direction. Below a farm, the ‘Deicheln/Holzröhren’ exhibition site awaits you – here you can learn how brine used to be transported through wooden pipes. A true feat of engineering!
In the footsteps of Georg von Reichenbach
After about 100 metres, cross Doktorbergstraße and walk slightly downhill to the brine pipeline trail footbridge – an impressive wooden structure on the steep rock face. You will soon reach the Reichenbach relief with a panoramic information board. Here you can learn more about Georg von Reichenbach, the ingenious inventor of the brine pipeline. His water column machine transported the brine over 30 kilometres to Bad Reichenhall – a technical masterpiece!
Continue on to Kalvarienberg
From the footbridge, you can enjoy a fantastic view of Berchtesgaden and the surrounding mountains. At Kalvarienberg, you will see a special monument to the brine pipeline: a tunnel was driven through the rock to create the necessary gradient. After 10 minutes, you will reach the second brine pipeline footbridge. High above the Protestant church, a board informs you about the history of the Protestants in Berchtesgaden.
Final sprint to the Haus der Berge
Now it's time for the last stage! You catch a glimpse of the back of the Royal Villa. An information board shows you the impressive façade and tells you about the royal history. Right next to it, you can learn more from the forestry office about the importance of the saltworks forests for salt production – and why the brine pipeline was built in the first place. The preserved route of the brine pipeline ends at the Hotel Kronprinz. From here, it's only 5 to 10 minutes to the ‘Haus der Berge’ – the crowning glory of your hike!
