How to Visit Wimbachklamm Gorge in Bavaria, Germany

Wimbachklamm is a short, but enchanting river gorge in Berchtesgaden National Park in Upper Bavaria, Germany. 

The gorge is located at the entrance of Wimbachtal, a high alpine valley that runs between the Watzmann and Hochkalter mountains. 

A smooth, timber walkway runs through the gorge, allowing visitors of all ages to safely enjoy the picturesque scene of waterfalls cascading over moss-covered walls into the thundering stream below. 

The gorge is open between May 1st and November 1st.

Though the Wimbach Gorge is very short, measuring a mere 200 meters long, it is well worth visiting. It is one of the most magical landscapes in the Berchtesgaden Alps. 

After slowly walking through the gorge, we extended our hike through Wimbach Valley to the managed Berggaststätte Wimbachschloss (cash only), where we ate a delicious lunch. 

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Wimbachklamm including where to park, entrance fees, and trail directions.

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Where to Start the Wimbach Gorge Walk

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Wimbachbrücke

The Wimbach Gorge hike starts at Parkplatz Wimbachbrücke, a paid car park in Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden. When driving along the Berchtesgadener Strasse, signs will direct you across the Ramsauer Ache to the pay-and-display car park.

You can pay for parking at the parking machines (cash and cards accepted), or by using the Parkster app. 

There are free public toilets across from the Nationalpark-Infostelle Wimbachbrücke, a small unstaffed exhibit about the geology and rocks of the region. 

If you’re traveling with transit, take bus 846 to Wimbachbrücke. Bus 846 runs between Lake Hintersee and Berchtesgaden Hauptbahnhof. 

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Wimbachklamm Gorge Entrance Prices

There is an entrance fee to visit Wimbach Gorge. 

The entrance to the gorge is gated and token-operated. 

From the Wimbachbrücke car park, follow the Wimbachklamm road uphill for about 500 meters (10-minute walk). Just behind the Wimbach’s Wollstadl souvenir shop, there is a self-service Kasse, where you must purchase an entrance token. 

Entrance Fee | 4 EUR 

Payment | Cash and card payments are accepted. 

Discounts | When we visited, discounts were no longer administered to Berchtesgaden Guest Card holders. 

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Wimbach Gorge to Wimbachschloss Trail Description

Starting at Wimbachbrücke, follow the Wimbachweg road uphill, curving around Wirtshaus Hocheck. There are many signs pointing visitors in the direction of Wimbachklamm. 

The paved road passes between a mini golf course and rolling meadows. 

After 10 minutes, you’ll arrive at the Wimbach’s Wollstadl souvenir shop, which sells local goat cheese, soaps, wool products, and more. 

Directly behind the shop is the self-service Kasse, where you must purchase the token to enter the Wimbach Gorge. 

Follow the track for another 5 minutes to the signed junction. 

Turn left. The well-groomed gravel path slopes down to a bridge, which leads you to the entrance of Wimbachklamm. 

After inserting your token, pass through the full height turnstile gate.

The trail descends a series of steps to the elevated timber walkway that runs through the gorge. 

Wimbachklamm is only 200 meters long. Nonetheless, it’s a miraculous landscape of moss, rock, and water.

We walked slowly, stopping often to breathe in the misty air and absorb the sound of the cascades.

A series of ascending steps brings you to a bench and another full-height turnstile, marking the exit. 

You have a few options. You can return to Wimbachbrücke by walking through the gorge once again. Graphics plastered at the exit indicate that the gorge is two-directional. 

Alternatively, you can exit and descend along the steep forest path that runs parallel to the gorge. 

If you want a longer walk, we recommend exiting the gorge and following the wide gravel path along the Wimbach stream to Berggaststätte Wimbachschloss. It takes 1 hour to hike 3.4 km to the managed hut, which was a former hunting lodge of Prince Regent Luitpold, when the Wimbach valley was primarily used as a hunting ground. 

The smooth and wide path runs through the forest, but there are views of the mountains that flank the wide, scree-filled river bed. 

Situated at an altitude of 937 m, Berggaststätte Wimbachschloss is a perfect lunch spot, offering local dishes using regional and mostly organic ingredients in a relaxing setting. The Austrian culinary influence is evident here and everywhere in Berchtesgaden. Service is attentive and friendly. Payment is only accepted in cash. 

Eating lunch here made our whole Wimbach gorge and Wimbach valley hike complete. 

Between May and October, Wimbachschloss is open daily between 10 am and 6 pm. On Sundays and Holidays, the hut is open between 10 am and 5:30 pm. 

We returned to Wimbachbrücke (1327 m) along the same trail. 

Note: It’s also possible to continue hiking up the valley to Wimbachgrieshütte. 

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Where to Stay around Wimbachklamm

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Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden 

Ramsau bei Berchtegsaden is a Bergsteigerdorf (mountaineering village) and the entryway to Lake Hintersee and the Zauberwald (magic forest), Wimbachklamm gorge, and the Wimbachtal Valley. 

The finest accommodation in the region is Berghotel Rehlegg, located in the heart of Ramsau near St. Sebastian’s Church. This alpine hotel offers sumptuous rooms, two swimming pools, saunas, spa treatments, and a delicious half board offering (breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate). 

For a budget-friendly stay, take a look at Gästehaus Hinterponholz, situated between Ramsau and Lake Hintersee. Offering a playground and a petting zoo, this accommodation is ideal for families with children. 

Look for accommodation in Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden.

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Schönau am Königssee

If you’re traveling without a car, we recommend staying at Explorer Hotel Berchtesgaden, or Hotel Bergheimat. 

If you’re traveling with a car, Alm- & Wellnesshotel Alpenhof (luxury) is an excellent choice. 

Where we stayed – Budget-Midrange | Explorer Hotel Berchtesgaden is designed for active travelers and athletes. A breakfast buffet is laid out at 6:30 am, which is ideal for getting an early start in the mountains. Rooms are comfortable and soundproofed. Use of the wellness area with steam sauna and Finnish sauna is complimentary. The casual hotel bar is open from 4 pm. We enjoyed relaxing on the terrace with a drink to the sound of Königsseer Ache. There is ample on-site outdoor parking (1 EUR/day) and garage parking (8 EUR/day). And, perhaps the most compelling reason to stay here is that Explorer Hotel Berchtesgaden is walking distance to Lake Königssee (20-minutes). It’s also a 4-minute walk to the Unterstein Schornbad bus stop, which has direct connections to Königssee, Jennerbahn, and Berchtesgaden. 

Midrange | Hotel Bergheimat is a traditional Bavarian hotel, located a stone’s throw away from the Jennerbahn valley station and a 10-minute walk to Lake Königssee. Breakfast is included in the rate and dinner is available on-site. 

Midrange | Stoll´s Hotel Alpina is a family-run, 3-star superior hotel with a restaurant, indoor and outdoor pool, and wellness area. 

Luxury | Set in the hills above Schönau am Königssee, the 4-star Alm- & Wellnesshotel Alpenhof offers wonderful views, a rich breakfast, extensive wellness facilities, an indoor and outdoor pool, and on-site dining.

Look for accommodation in Schönau am Königssee. 

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Berchtesgaden 

The Old Town of Berchtesgaden is a charming and lively destination filled with shops, restaurants, and beer gardens. There are two notable accommodations directly in the town center including Hotel EDELWEISS Berchtesgaden Superior (luxury) and Hotel AlpinaRos (midrange). 

Just outside the town center, you’ll find Die schlafende Goass – Pub und Gästehaus (budget) and the alpine-modern Kulturhof Stanggass with an outdoor swimming pool (luxury).

Those seeking adults-only accommodations ought to check out Alpenhotel Fischer 4 Sterne (luxury). 

If you’re craving a quiet mountain retreat with excellent facilities, check out Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden (luxury). 

Look for accommodation in Berchtesgaden.

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