Nestled in the most south-east corner of Bavaria, Wimbachklamm Germany is a picturesque gorge with stunning waterfalls and dramatic rock formations. This hidden / not-so-hidden gem, located in Berchtesgaden National Park, is a perfect addition to your exploration of the Bavarian landscape.
The actual gorge is walkable on a 200 meters wooden footpath
Embark on a journey to Wimbachklamm and experience the natural wonder that awaits in the heart of Germany’s beautiful Berchtesgaden National Park.
Where is Wimbachklamm Germany
Wimbachklamm is a part of a river in the Berchtesgaden National Park, in the southeast part of Germany (basically in the bottom-right corner). It lies approximately 30 kilometers southeast of Salzburg, Austria, making it easily accessible for exploring that region of Europe.
Access to Wimbachklamm Waterfalls
Entry to the Wimbachklamm gorge is only possible with a token coin, which you can buy at a pay machine about 100m from the gorge.
Entrance is €4 as of july 2024 (check updated prices HERE).
BE AWARE: the pay machine only exchange up to €20 bills! (It is also possible to pay by card)
The gorge is a one-way entrance only. So once you’ve deposited your token and stepped into the gorge you can’t return. There’s two exits – either the one you entered from or one in the other end of the gorge.
Getting to Wimbachklamm Germany
By car
Search for “parkplatz Wimbachbrücke” and your GPS will lead you straight to the main parking lot to the gorge. The gorge is a 20 min. easy hike from the parking lot.
During the summer season you should aim to visit early as the parking lot is shared with a hotel as well as other tourists who hike for many hours in the area, making the space a little crammed.
The parking fee is €6 for 4 hours (€9 for more than 4 hr) and €10 for campervans (€14 for more than 4 hr). I would highly recommend to hike in the area, as you will spend max. 1 hour in the gorge, which makes the parking a bit expensive.
You can pay by card (and remember to pay BEFORE you leave for the gorge).
By Public transport
Parking prices will depend on whether you have a guest card or not. Guest cards are given to tourists who stay in one of the villages in Berchtesdagen and are provided by hotels, guesthouses, and even Airbnb. These cards will grant you free access to the bus system in Berchtesdagen National Park, as well as give you some discounts at the various attractions (make Berchtesgaden town your base, as all of the bigger bus-lines in the area drive through here).
From Berchtesgaden main station, you can catch bus number 846 going to “Hintersee” and get off at the stop called “Wimbachbrücke” which will take you to the same area as the parking lot. The only downside to taking the bus is that it doesn’t run that frequently (make sure to check the bus schedule ahead of time).
Opening Hours of Wimbachklamm Germany
Wimbachklamm is open seasonally from May 1st to November 1st (closed the rest of the year). You can enter the gorge daily from 7 AM to 7 PM.
I got there at 8am and was the only one on the footpath for 30 min.!
As always it’s a good idea to check local updates before going in case the gorge has to close due to weather conditions etc.
Things to do around Wimbachklamm Germany
Neues Schloss Herrenchiemsee
This castle was intended to be a replica of the Palace of Versailles, but it was never completed.
Fun fact: only about half of the interior of the palace is finished, meaning that part of the tour will take place among bare bricks – showing just how much work goes into completing a castle like this.
Read more about visiting Neues Schloss Herrenchiemsee HERE
Königssee
This emerald-green alpine lake is a short drive from Wimbachklamm and SO worth it. Take a boat ride to the iconic St. Bartholomew’s Church and hike up to aussichtspunkt Archenkanzel (viewpoint Archenkanzel) for stunning views of the Königssee lake.
Salzburg, Austria
Just a short drive from Wimbachklamm you can visit Salzburg. Home to Mozart’s birthplace and a historic Old Town, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to stop by Salzburg.
Read more about Salzburg HERE
Is Wimbachklamm Germany Worth It?
In my opinion a visit to Wimbachklamm should depend on what you’re planning to do in the area. The gorge is beautiful but it’s quite small and rather expensive if you go “just” to visit the gorge. I hadn’t researched that much about the gorge before going and ended up a little disappointed as I spent around 30 min. seeing the gorge and then left…
However if you choose to hike in Berchtesgaden Nationalpark or stay in one of the towns in the area, it’s worth seeing the sparkling waterfalls of Wimbachklamm.
