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If you are planning a trip to Berchtesgaden National Park, you have to hike up Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel overlooking the Königssee!
If you crave adventure and long to witness one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Germany, then a visit to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel is an absolute must. Nestled within the enchanting Berchtesgaden National Park, this breathtaking viewpoint offers unrivaled vistas over the serene Königssee and the dramatic Bavarian Alps. As you lace up your hiking boots, prepare yourself for a journey through stunning alpine scenery that promises both awe and inspiration.
In this post, I’ll cover the essentials of visiting Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel, from answering frequently asked questions to providing crucial general information. Discover how to navigate the picturesque hiking trails, the best times to visit for optimal views, and what to pack for your adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual explorer, this guide has got you covered with practical advice on hiking directions and tips. Lastly, I’ll recommend some nearby accommodations to make planning your trip seamless and enjoyable.
A visit to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel had been at the top of my bucket list since I first heard about its mesmerizing views over the Königssee and the surrounding alpine landscape. I hope this post inspires you to add this magnificent viewpoint to your Germany itinerary. Get ready to experience one of Bavaria’s most breathtaking natural wonders!
FAQs about Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel
How long is the hike to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel?
The hike to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel, located in Berchtesgaden National Park in Germany, typically takes around 2.5 hours one way. However, it will highly depend on the starting point as you can reach this viewpoint in a few ways. In addition, it will also depend on your fitness level and how many breaks you take along the way.
Is the hike to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel difficult?
The hike to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel is considered moderately difficult. It involves some elevation gain and parts of the trail can be steep. However, it is well-maintained and suitable for hikers with a reasonable level of fitness. Additionally, proper footwear and adequate preparation are recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable hike.
This post is all about hiking to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel in Berchtesgaden National Park.
Visiting Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel – Important Information
Location: Berchtesgaden National Park, Bavaria, Germany.
Elevation: ~ 1,300 meters.
Allowed: Dogs (on a leash), cycling (while showing consideration for hikers), climbing.
Not Allowed: Camping, campfires, picking plants, hunting, walking off trail, water sports, drones, disposing of waste, feeding animals, loud noise, animals without leash.
How to get to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel
By Car:
If you are heading to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel by car, head to Wimbachklamm as the hike starts from the same parking lot. Set your navigation system to “Parkplatz Wimbachbrücke“. The parking lot is fairly large so you should be able to find a parking spot without a problem. However, this parking lot is used by hikers for a variety of routes in the area, not only for Wimbachklamm or Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel. Therefore, I would recommend arriving before 9 AM to secure your spot.
Parking prices will depend on whether you have a guest card or not. Guest cards are given to tourists who stay in one of the villages in Berchtesdagen. They are typically provided by hotels, guesthouses, and even Airbnb. These cards will grant you free access to the bus system in Berchtesdagen National Park, as well as give you some discounts at the various attractions. Parking at Wimbachbrücke should cost around 6€ for four hours with a guest card, or 8€ without a guest card. If you want to get a day ticket so you can wander freely, then it will be 11€ with a guest card and 13€ without. These prices are of course subject to change. Since this is a long hike, I recommend just getting a day ticket to avoid having to hurry back.
By Public Transportation:
As I mentioned above, with a guest card you can ride the buses in Berchtesgaden National Park for free. This means that getting to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel by public transportation is both convenient and budget-friendly! If you are staying in Berchtesgaden National Park for several days and would like to get around by bus, then I highly recommend making Berchtesgaden town your base. This is because all of the major buses in the area drive through here.
Since the hike starts from the same parking lot as the route to Wimbachklamm, you will need to navigate there first. From Berchtesgaden Hauptbahnhof, you can catch bus number 846 going to Hintersee, Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden. Ride it for 5 stops (around 10 minutes) and get off at the stop called Wimbachbrücke, Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden. The only downside to the bus is that it doesn’t run that frequently and the earliest bus in the day is at 9:15 AM. After that, it runs every hour until 18:15.
When to visit Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel
While you could technically visit Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel all year round, it is a difficult hike in winter. Most likely you may only be able to hike with snow shoes although it depends on the amount of snowfall. Therefore, I recommend hiking here during the spring and summer months instead.
The best time to visit to ensure the best views would be from mid-May until late September. If you are looking to escape the crowds and catch some wildflowers then May and June would be the best time to visit. This is because the locals in Bavaria go on summer holiday rather late, in the middle of July. Although this, spring can often mean a lot of rain in the mountains. Therefore, make sure to check the trail conditions beforehand to ensure that it is safe.
Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel is known as the best viewpoint in Berchtesdagen National Park. So if you want to make sure that you get a clear view of the Königssee then peak season is optimal. While July and August are considered the busy periods in this region, they also offer the best weather. Due to this, you will have the highest chances of getting a clear view and good hiking conditions. We visited in the middle of July and I honestly don’t think the crowds were bad at all. There were only a handful of other people with us at the viewpoint which is completely fair.
What to wear on the hike to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel
Clothing Essentials:
Hiking pants: Ideally bring hiking pants that can be made into long shorts, in case it gets warm.
Short-sleeved Dri-fit shirt: The weather is always subject to change so make sure to bring some layers. I always recommend a dri-fit shirt for maximum comfort during your hike.
Rain Jacket: Even if the weather report says it will be sunny, make sure to bring a rain jacket just in case! If you have rain pants, then it could be a great idea to bring them as well. You can’t always trust the weather reports, and it is best to be on the safe side when hiking in nature.
Hiking shoes: Proper hiking shoes are a must when hiking in the Berchtesgaden National Park. The hike to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel is along a trail with lots of loose pebbles so it’s essential to wear shoes with a good grip.
General Essentials:
Hiking poles: While these are not a must, they are highly recommended. If you do not have a high fitness level, I urge you to bring hiking poles to help you on the trail. Otherwise, these could be a great idea for all hikers. Not only can they give you a little support on the ascent, but they come in extra handy during the descent for stabilization since there are lots of loose pebbles on the trail, and to reduce the stress put on your knees.
Water: Make sure to bring enough water! This hike is fairly steep and the only way to refill your bottles is by buying water in the mountain hut at the top near the end of the viewpoint. Aim to bring at least 3-4 liters of water per person.
Food: There is a mountain hut which is located just 15 minutes away from the viewpoint. You should definitely stop here for lunch if they are open when you visit! They even have a few vegan options such as lentil soup. However, if you visit in the shoulder season, make sure to bring enough food and snacks with you to stay fuelled.
Towel: A dri-fit towel is an essential that I always carry with me, even when no swimming is involved in a hike. It can always come in handy if you want to sit down on wet or muddy grass.
Rain cover for your bag: I highly recommend bringing a rain cover for your bag to protect your valuables in case it starts to rain. Bringing a rain cover for my bag has saved my camera from being ruined several times!
Hiking Details (Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel)
Before going into the detailed hiking directions to reach the Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel offering a beautiful panorama view of the Königssee, I have listed some general statistics regarding the hike. In addition, you can find an interactive map with different interest points and the marked trail for your use on the hike. Please note that this map does not work offline, so you can only access it while you have service.
Distance: ~ 15 km in total.
Difficulty: Medium / Challenging depending on fitness level.
Time needed: 5 – 6 hours depending on your speed and how long you choose to stay at each stop.
Elevation gain: ~ 808 meters.
Type of trail: Back and Forth or A to B depending on preference.
Hiking Directions to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel
(step-by-step guide)
Parkplatz Wimbachbrücke to Kührointhütte am Watzmann
Once you have reached the parking lot, locate the sign showing the direction toward Kührointhütte am Watzmann. This part of the hike is going to cover the majority of the way towards Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel since there aren’t really any other stops or points of interest along the way. This part of the hike is 6.2 km long. Furthermore, it will take a little over 2 hours and cover an elevation gain of 779 meters.
During this part of the hike, make sure to take breaks whenever you feel the need as it’s a very steep trail. While beginners can complete this hike since the trail itself is wide and easy to access, a moderate level of fitness is required.
Once you reach Kührointhütte am Watzmann you will notice that you have reached an alpine valley at around 1,420 meters above sea level. At the valley, you can choose to take a break and eat some lunch at the mountain hut. I highly recommend this as it’s a great way to take a break and support the local economy. Not to mention that the food is also delicious! When we visited the hut also offered some vegan dishes such as lentil soup. While I think you can count on them having at least one vegan dish, if you have any dietary restrictions make sure to bring your own food just in case. At the valley, you will also find a small alpine church which makes for a wonderful view in front of the beautiful Watzmann peak.
Kührointhütte am Watzmann to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel
Once you are done with your break, it’s an easy 15 to 20-minute hike to the final viewpoint of Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel. This part of the hike is only 1.1 km and you will be descending around 100 meters. This is truly the best viewpoint in Berchtesgaden National Park. Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel offers a stunning Königssee panorama view and overlooks the famous St. Bartholomä church. It also offers incredible views of the surrounding Bavarian Alps. Due to this, the hike is considered one of the best outdoor activities in Berchtesgaden.
After a break at the viewpoint, head back to Kührointhütte am Watzmann using the same trail, where you will have two options for the descent.
Kührointhütte am Watzmann to Königssee
Once back at the mountain hut you have two options. You can either hike back the same way you came up or take a new trail going down to the famous Königssee. If you have a car parked at Parkplatz Wimbachbrücke it makes sense to hike back the same way. This is because getting to the parking lot from Königssee is slightly complicated as it will include a bus switch. Due to this, I recommend hiking this route only if you are using public transport or have someone who can give you a lift back to your car. However, hiking down to Königssee offers better views as you will get glimpses of the stunning lake along the way.
This last part of the trail is just over 6 km and will take roughly 2 hours. The trail is wide and easy to follow, however, it has a lot of loose pebbles. This makes the descent quite difficult so I recommend using hiking poles if you have some with you. If not, then try to follow a zigzag pattern down the steepest parts to increase stability and reduce the risk of slipping.
Other Activities and Attractions Nearby
Wimbachklamm
Wimbachklamm is a stunning gorge located near the starting point of the hike to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel. The hike to Wimbachklamm is short and the gorge is only 200 meters long. Due to this, it only requires around 1 hour to see properly. This makes it the perfect way to start your day before hiking up Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel. It’s honestly such a beautiful gem and there are several waterfalls along the gorge making it a must-visit! If you are interested in checking it out, make sure to read my full guide below.
Read more: Wimbachklamm Bavaria
Königssee
Königssee which means “Kings Lake” is one of the most beautiful lakes in all of Germany and is located close to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel. It’s easy to visit if you choose to hike directly down to the lake on your return trip. If you choose to do so, then you can spend the rest of the afternoon exploring this beautiful lake and even go swimming! You can also find a small boat rental spot called “Bootshäuser am Königssee” and explore the lake. While there are also organized boat tours to explore the whole lake, I recommend spending a full day doing that.
Where to stay when visiting Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel
When planning a trip to Aussichtpunkt Archenkanzel and in general to Berchtesgaden National Park, then the best base would be Berchtesgaden. This town is the biggest and most well-known in this part of Bavaria. While it is still quite small, giving the perfect feeling of a small mountain village, Berchtesgaden is extremely well connected to popular attractions in the area. All busses typically depart from Berchtesgaden and you will also find a wider range of accommodation options here. Furthermore, if you are looking to stay at an Airbnb and cook your own food to save money, then you can find all of the major stores here.
Best mid-range hotel: Hotel AlpinaRos
Best luxury hotel: Hotel EDELWEISS Berchtesgaden Superior
If you decide to rent a car then you will have more flexibility when it comes to accommodation options. Overall, any town near Berchtesdagen will make for a great option since it will be close to Aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel and other nearby attractions. However, even with a car I still think Berchtesgaden is the best and most convenient base for exploring the National Park.
That concludes my guide on how to hike up to Aussichtpunkt Archenkanzel in Berchtesgaden National Park. This is one of the top scenic spots in the Bavarian Alps as the views over the Königssee are truly spectacular. If you are planning a visit to Berchtesgaden National Park then make sure to plan enough time for this hike. I promise you won’t regret it!
