Saugasse, Berchtesgaden National Park Travel Guide

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Hike the Saugasse, a steep, switchbacking trail through a ravine in the Berchtesgaden Alps, connecting Königssee to the Kärlingerhaus.

The Saugasse is a ravine-like path in the Berchtesgaden Alps, featuring 32 switchbacks that climb 300 meters in elevation over a 600-meter distance. This challenging trail connects St. Bartholomä on the Königssee to the Kärlingerhaus in the Steinerne Meer.

A brief summary to Saugasse

Unnamed Road,, Schönau am Königssee, 83471, DE
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Saugasse.

Wear sturdy hiking boots with good traction, as the trail can be steep and rocky.
Bring plenty of water and snacks, as the ascent is strenuous.
Check the weather forecast before you go, and be prepared for changing conditions.

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Explore Saugasse on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Saugasse, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

The Saugasse trail is accessible from St. Bartholomä on the Königssee. St. Bartholomä can only be reached by boat or a long mountain tour. From the St. Bartholomä boat landing, follow the signs towards Kärlingerhaus. The trail initially goes along the lake before ascending through the forest to the Saugasse. Be prepared for a steep climb with switchbacks.
Public Transport

To reach St. Bartholomä, take a boat from Königssee. To get to Königssee, take bus line 840, 841, or 843 from Berchtesgaden train station. The bus ride from Berchtesgaden to Königssee is approximately 10 minutes. From the Königssee bus stop, it's a 5-minute walk to the boat pier. A one-way boat trip to St. Bartholomä takes about 35 minutes. Bus tickets cost around €2-3. The boat trip to St. Bartholomä costs €19.50 for a round trip.
Parking

If driving, park at the Königssee parking lot. From the parking lot, walk to the Königssee lake and take a boat to St. Bartholomä to access the Saugasse hiking trail. Parking costs €3 for up to an hour, €7 for up to 3 hours, or €9 for a day ticket. The boat trip to St. Bartholomä costs €19.50 for a round trip.

Discover more about Saugasse

The Saugasse, meaning "hog alley" in German, is a steep, gorge-like path located in the Berchtesgaden Alps. It's a notable section of the hiking trail that ascends from St. Bartholomä on the Königssee to the Kärlingerhaus, a mountain hut in the Steinerne Meer.The trail itself is characterized by 32 serpentine turns that climb through a steep ravine, gaining approximately 300 meters in elevation over a distance of about 600 meters. The path can be steep, with gradients reaching up to 40 degrees in some sections. The Saugasse is roughly halfway between the west shore of the Königssee and the Kärlingerhaus.The lower entrance to the Saugasse is located at approximately 980 meters above sea level, on the southwestern edge of the former Unterlahneralm grazing area. The trail ascends in a southwestern direction along the northwestern slope of the Simetsberg, flanked by the rocky slopes of the Graskopf and Gjaidkopf. At the upper end of the Saugasse, the trail leads into the former grazing area of the Oberlahneralm. A section known as Kleine Saugasse, or Little Saugasse, begins at around 1500 meters, with a more moderate climb.The Saugasse forms part of the Berchtesgaden National Park network. Hikers can find detailed route information on the Alpine Club map BY 21 and the topographic map sheet 8443 for the Königssee area.