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Park geography

A technical overview of the park boundary, mountain terrain, and regional geography

Geographic Profile and Mapped Boundaries of Berchtesgaden National Park in Bavaria

This geographic profile covers the technical dimensions and natural landscape of Berchtesgaden National Park. It provides mapped boundary data, elevation stats spanning from 603 to 2713 meters, and a detailed register of peaks, saddles, and viewpoints located within the protected area.

Stylized illustration of a mountainous landscape with green and autumn-colored trees, a winding path, and a lake surrounded by mountains

Germany's only Alpine national park protecting high peaks, glaciers, and karst landscapes

Berchtesgaden National Park

Berchtesgaden National Park is the only German national park located in the Alps, situated in the Berchtesgadener Land region of southeastern Bavaria near the Austrian border. Established on 1 August 1978, the park encompasses approximately 210 square kilometers of mountainous terrain characterized by dramatic limestone peaks, deep glacial valleys, and two significant lakes. The park forms the core of the larger UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Berchtesgadener Land, recognized in 1990 for its ecological significance. The landscape is dominated by the Watzmann massif, the third-highest mountain in Germany at 2,713 meters, along with the Hochkalter and surrounding ranges. Several glaciers persist in the park, including the Watzmann Glacier and Blaueis, representing rare remnants of Alpine glaciation within Germany. The Königssee, a glacial lake at the park's heart, drains into the Salzach river system and ultimately the Danube.

Location
Germany
Park type
National park
Established
1978
Area
210 km²
Highest point
2,713 m
Berchtesgaden National Park Protected Area
Location overview

Regional membership and administrative boundaries in Bavaria, Germany

Geographic Positioning of Berchtesgaden National Park in Bavaria

Berchtesgaden National Park is situated entirely within the Bavaria region of Germany. Mapped geographic records confirm its status as a non-coastal and non-transboundary protected area.
Countries
Germany
Regions
Bavaria
Primary location
Bavaria
Geographic setting
Inland
Boundary and coordinates

Spatial data and land area measurements across 210 square kilometers

Boundary Map and Spatial Limits of Berchtesgaden National Park

The mapped boundary outline offers clear spatial context for the protected park layout. Accompanying geographic facts detail the 210 square kilometers of land area alongside coordinates and center points.
Pigeon | © OpenStreetMap contributors
Boundary area
208.1 km²
Boundary perimeter
103.9 km
Northernmost point
47.6426° N
Southernmost point
47.4634° N
Easternmost point
13.0721° E
Westernmost point
12.7791° E
Geographic centre
47.5512° N, 12.9304° E
North–south span
19.9 km
East–west span
22 km
Nationalpark Berchtesgaden
Elevation and terrain

Mountain relief metrics and recorded natural features

Berchtesgaden National Park Terrain and Elevation Range

Elevation summary metrics track the vertical range from valley floors to peak summits across the terrain. Recorded natural feature cards detail specific peaks, lakes, and ridges located within the protected area.
Minimum elevation
603 m
Mean elevation
1,593 m
Maximum elevation
2,713 m
Highest point
2,713 m

Selected named natural features

Lakes

Obersee

613 m

Mountain saddles

Ofentalscharte

2,360 m

Peaks

Archenkopf

1,451 m

Cliffs

Laafeldwand

Valleys

Eisbachtal

Peaks

Ledererkopf (M)

2,456 m

Environmental setting

Alpine climate zones, forest cover, and terrain classifications across mountain relief

Berchtesgaden National Park Environmental Setting and Physical Geography Classifications

Recorded landscape features, habitat types, and relief attributes function as complementary ways to interpret the physical setting of Berchtesgaden National Park. Structured classifications connect stored environmental categories directly to related atlas destinations.
Relief
Mountain
Climate
Alpine
Water
Major water bodies
Forest cover
Mostly forested
Seasonality
Seasonal

Landscape features

Mountains · Valleys · Lakes · Rivers · Glacier · Cliffs · Forest

Habitat types

Temperate coniferous forest · Montane forest · Alpine meadow · Riverine habitat · Lacustrine habitat · Karst habitat · Glacial habitat

Park atlas

Compare the mapped geography of nearby mountain conservation landscapes and other significant Alpine protected regions across Bavaria and beyond.

Explore More Alpine National Parks and Protected Areas Near Berchtesgaden National Park

Explore national parks and key protected areas geographically near Berchtesgaden National Park, mapping similar Alpine terrain, glacial features, and karst geology within the broader Bavarian Alps. This regional overview provides essential context for comparing diverse mountain conservation landscapes, aiding in structured discovery across Central European protected areas.
Nature reserveGermany
About 11 km away#1 closest

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Naturwald Kraxenbach: Protected Montane Forest and Alpine Landscape Geography in Bavaria

A comprehensive look at a protected Bavarian mountain reserve

Naturwald Kraxenbach offers a deep dive into the montane ecosystems of the German-Austrian border. This nature reserve protects over 200-year-old forest stands and distinct holly habitats within the steep valleys of the Chiemgauer Alps, providing an essential study of natural forest development in a historical forestry region.

Area
18.01 km²
Established
2020
Relief
Mountain
Climate
Alpine
National parkAustria
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Hohe Tauern National Park: Regional Geography and Protected Alpine Mountain Terrain

Major protected area in the heart of the Austrian Alps

Hohe Tauern National Park protects a grand scale of alpine terrain, including towering summits above 3,000 meters and the longest glacial systems in the country. This atlas record provides insights into the park's vertical landscape, encompassing glacial valleys, waterfalls, and diverse ecological zones that define the High Tauern mountain range in Austria.

A pale, minimalist watercolor illustration of layered mountain silhouettes in the background and a green, forested foreground.
Nature reserveTyrol
About 36 km away#3 closest

West

Kaiser Mountains Nature Reserve: Alpine Limestone Landscapes and Regional Geography in Tyrol

A comprehensive look at the Wilder Kaiser and Zahmer Kaiser ridges

The Kaiser Mountains stand as a monumental feature within the Northern Limestone Alps. This nature reserve offers a unique geographic profile, from sheer, pale Wetterstein limestone walls to broad alpine pastures and pine-covered ridges. Its radial drainage patterns and self-contained massif structure provide an essential case study for understanding the diverse mountain terrain that defines the heart of the Austrian Tyrol.

Area
102 km²
Established
1963
Relief
Mountain
Climate
Alpine
Watercolor painting showing mountain ranges with green, yellow, and pink hues, depicting layered peaks and cloud formations
National parkAustria
About 46 km away#4 closest

South

Hohe Tauern National Park: Alpine Geography and Protected Landscape Atlas

High-altitude mountain terrain and glacial systems in Austria

Hohe Tauern serves as a primary protected area within the Austrian Alps, showcasing a vast sequence of glacial valleys, sharp mountain massifs, and high-alpine tundra. This exploration details the park's physical boundaries and its significance in preserving diverse ecological gradients and wilderness core zones across the Central Eastern Alps.

Area
1,806 km²
Established
1981
IUCN
II
Relief
Mountain
A soft watercolor illustration showing a panoramic view of mountain ridgelines in muted green, blue, and faint pink tones against a white background.
Nature reserveSalzkammergut
About 53 km away#5 closest

East

Loser Plateau Nature Reserve: Alpine Karst Geography in the Salzkammergut Mountain Range

Protected high alpine plateau and extensive karst systems

The Loser Plateau is a distinctive high-altitude nature reserve in the Salzkammergut region of Austria. This protected area features expansive limestone pavements, complex karst sinkholes, and massive mountain crags that dominate the skyline above Lake Altaussee. It provides a unique window into high alpine geology, showcasing fossil-rich layers and an intricate network of documented cave systems that rank among the most significant in the Eastern Alps.

Area
12 km²
Relief
Mountain
Climate
Alpine
Access
Easy access
A watercolor painting showing a wide, panoramic view of rolling, grassy mountain slopes with soft pastel colors and small evergreen trees.
Protected landscapeCarinthia
About 83 km away#6 closest

Southeast

Nock Mountains National Park: Mapping the Rounded Alpine Summits and Glacial Terrain of Carinthia

A protected alpine landscape and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Austrian Alps

Discover the geographic character of Nock Mountains National Park, where the Gurktal Alps transition into sweeping, grass-covered dome summits. This protected area offers a look at a unique Tertiary land surface that survived the last Ice Age, supporting a mosaic of larch forests, alpine pastures, and high-altitude lakes that define the regional geography of southern Austria.

Area
184 km²
Established
1987
IUCN
V
Relief
Mountain
Watercolor painting depicting layered mountain ranges, forests, and water bodies in green and pink tones
National parkUpper Austria
85 km away#7 closest

East

Kalkalpen National Park: Ancient Beech Forests and Karst Protected Landscape

Explore mapped boundaries and unique alpine terrain.

Kalkalpen National Park is a premier protected area in Upper Austria, celebrated for harboring Central Europe's largest remaining ancient beech forests and an extensive karst landscape. This designation underscores its critical role in preserving old-growth forest ecosystems and unique geological formations within the Northern Limestone Alps. Discover the mapped terrain and regional geography that define this significant natural reserve, offering a profound look into the continent's ecological history and protected natural heritage.

Area
208.25 km²
Established
1997
IUCN
II
Relief
Mountain
National parkAustria
About 100 km away#8 closest

East

Limestone Alps National Park: A National Park in Austria's Mapped Protected Landscapes

Explore protected area boundaries and regional geography.

Limestone Alps National Park represents a vital component of Austria's protected lands, contributing to the nation's atlas of natural landscapes. This page details the park's identity as a national park, focusing on its geographic scope and mapped boundaries. Users can delve into the regional context and understand the protected-area significance of Limestone Alps National Park, enriching their exploration of Austria's diverse geography.

MoriAtlas Explorer

Continue Exploring Berchtesgaden National Park's Geography and Landscape

Deepen your understanding of Berchtesgaden National Park by exploring its specific geographic features and protected landscape context. This MoriAtlas entry provides the structured data to trace its mapped boundaries and understand its regional position within Bavaria. Engage further with the atlas of protected areas to connect this park to its surrounding natural terrain and broader conservation geography.