Königsbach Wasserfall

The Königsbach Wasserfall is nice waterfall located south of Berchtesgaden, at the east side of the Königssee, in the region Bayern, Germany.

From Salzburg or from Berchtesgaden the Königssee is a perfect destination for a day trip. From far ahead there are already signs to the Königssee. The signs end at a huge parking (really big). You have to pay for the parking!!! We arrived quite early in the morning, so it wasn’t that crowded. The que for the boat tickets where not very long but expensive (in 2002 it was €25, for an adult, to Salet, the end of the lake).

The Königsbach wasserfall was the first waterfall at the left side and is one of the highest waterfalls in Germany with a total height over 200 meters. The river Königsbach cascades down over 240 meters from the Hagengebirge. In potential the Königsbach wasserfall is much higher, about 400 meters.

Especially in the early summer, the Königsbach Wasserfall is beautiful with a lot of melted snow coming down from Hagengebirge with mountaintops of 2.200 meter. In July I was a little bit disappointed, the waterfall didn’t impress me that much and the drop was quite flat.

It was also possible to hike to the waterfall (don’y know if this is still possible). From the Königssee there is a trail heading to the top of the Königsbach wasserfall. The walk is about 2,5 kilometer long and takes 45-60 minutes. There is also a small trail heading along the shore of the Königssee which takes you much faster to the Königsbach wasserfall. But the view from the top is marvelous.

If you take the boat to Salet you will see two other waterfalls: the Schrainbach wasserfall and the highest waterfall of Germany, the Röthbach wasserfall. The views from the second lake, the Obersee, are amazing. It is only a short walk to the second lake and I think it is a must to do this also.

© pictures Marino Rottier