Almbach Gorge (Almbachklamm)

At the foot of the Untersberg, the Almbach stream has been cutting deep into limestone and dolomite since the end of the last Ice Age. In the Almbachklamm between Marktschellenberg and Berchtesgaden you follow a trail of about 3 km with 29 bridges and walkways, 320 steps and a rock tunnel, right above the green, glassy water. At the entrance, a mill has been grinding marble balls for more than 300 years. The gorge is a protected natural monument and geotope, easy enough for families and pleasantly cool on hot days.

History: army engineers, log drives and floods

The path through the gorge was built in 1894 by soldiers of the Ingolstadt engineer battalion in just one month; an inscription at the tunnel still records it. For a long time the gorge was mainly used for log driving. Between 1834 and 1836 the Theresienklause was built at the upper end, a 14 m high dam named after Queen Therese of Bavaria. Water was held back behind it, and when the sluice was opened a flood wave swept logs up to 4.5 m long down the gorge. Logs were driven here until 1963. Floods have destroyed the trail several times, most recently on 26 June 1998; it has been open again since 1999.

What to see

• The marble ball mill: At the entrance, the Almbach powers Germany's oldest marble ball mill. Since 1683 chunks of Untersberg marble have been ground into spheres here; a large ball can take up to a week.
• Pools and waterfalls: In the lower section the stream drops over ledges into deep turquoise pools. Look out for the white-and-pink speckled Untersberg marble in the streambed.
• The tunnel: A short stretch blasted through the rock, with the 1894 builders' inscription.
• Sulzer waterfall: With a drop of 114 m it is one of Germany's highest waterfalls, visible from the trail, for example near bridge 19.
• Theresienklause: The old log-driving dam stands at the top of the gorge and makes a good place for a break.

On damp, mild days you will often meet fire salamanders, whose larvae live in the calm pools. The rare alpine cyclamen also grows in the gorge.

Opening times and admission (as of October 2026)

• Season: usually from early May to the end of October; in 2026 from 17 April to 9 November. In winter the gorge is closed because of avalanches, ice and snow damage.
• Opening hours: daily until 18:00, opening at 08:00 or 09:00 depending on the source. Snowmelt or storms can close it at short notice; on 17 October 2026, for example, it is closed from 10:00 to 15:00 for an event.
• Admission: adults €9, with a guest card €8, children and teenagers €6, family ticket €22. Small children up to about six go free. Cards are accepted.
• Combined ticket: with the Marktschellenberg outdoor pool for only €1.80 extra (same day).

You pay at the entrance by the marble mill. Coming from Ettenberg, at the top, access is free.

Getting there and parking

The free Almbachklamm car park is at Kugelmühlweg 18, 83487 Marktschellenberg, down in the valley of the Berchtesgadener Ache. By bus, take line 840 (some services 836) to the Kugelmühle stop. Dogs are welcome on a lead.

Tripto tip

Walking to bridge 19 with the view of the Sulzer waterfall and back takes about an hour and a half. To the Theresienklause and on up to Ettenberg allow around two and a half hours; the loop via Maria Gern takes about three to four hours. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip, as the steps and walkways are often wet. Afterwards, take a look at the marble mill; in summer, the Schellenberg Ice Cave on the Untersberg is another nearby trip.