Marktschellenberg at the foot of the Untersberg

Marktschellenberg is a municipality in the Berchtesgadener Land region at the foot of the Untersberg. Its historic town center gives the town a distinctive cultural character, while hiking opportunities shape the range of experiences on offer. You can plan your trip around local history, trails through the landscape, or a mix of both.

The municipality’s website is also aimed at visitors: it provides information about the town as well as the municipality and its community.

Hiking trails with different destinations

The Almbachklamm gorge offers several hiking options. One trail passes through the gorge to Ettenberg and returns along a steep section. Another route in Marktschellenberg’s hiking offerings also passes through the Almbachklamm, but has Maria Gern as its destination. Maria Gern lies outside the town. So while the routes described pass through the same gorge, they differ in their destinations and return journeys.

Other options lead over the Köpplschneid to the Barmsteine or on a short, steep hike to the Scheibenkaser Alm on the Untersberg. The difference between the trails is clear: one tour focuses on the gorge, Ettenberg, and a steep return; the other leads to the Scheibenkaser Alm. The routes over the Köpplschneid and to Maria Gern offer yet other directions.

The Friedensbergweg is a family-friendly hike offering views across Marktschellenberg, the Untersberg, and the Götschenkopf. Another option at the foot of the Untersberg is a cross-border Nordic walking route. The Stöhrhaus, an Alpine Club hut near the Berchtesgadener Hochthron, is also located on the mountain.

Townscape and history

In Ettenberg above Marktschellenberg, the Maria Heimsuchung pilgrimage church and the Mesnerwirt form a typical Bavarian ensemble of church and inn. The Schellenberger Paßturm tells a different story about the town’s past: it is a remnant of an old border fortification built in 1252. Together, these two places offer distinct historical impressions—the ensemble in Ettenberg and the reminder of a former fortification.

Marktschellenberg and the wider destination

For a broader perspective, it is worth looking at the wider destination of Berchtesgadener Land. It stretches from the gently rolling Rupertiwinkel in the north to Berchtesgaden National Park on the Austrian border. In the south, high-alpine mountain landscapes and the natural scenery around Königssee are part of the region. This diversity describes Berchtesgadener Land as a whole, not just Marktschellenberg.

Berchtesgaden National Park also offers its own setting for excursions, with 260 kilometers of hiking trails and alpine paths. In the wider destination, a hike through the Almbachklamm passes over 29 bridges and footbridges, climbs 320 steps, and goes through a tunnel blasted into the rock. Opening dates may vary by season, and weather-related closures may change; check current conditions before planning a hike.

If you’re looking for accommodation in Marktschellenberg, first consider whether your trip will focus mainly on the local hiking trails and historic townscape or whether you’d also like to include other destinations in Berchtesgadener Land. This helps you focus your search on your planned priorities without treating excursions in the town and the wider region as one and the same.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Laufen, Bayerisch Gmain, Teisendorf, Piding, Freilassing, Saaldorf-Surheim, Ramsau near Berchtesgaden and Weißbach on the Alpine Road.

Back to the main travel overview: Berchtesgadener Land.