The Obersee hike is a beautiful hike with great views. It requires a bit of planning to anticipate the ferry schedules, but the scenery is well worth it, with the beautiful, calm, reflective lakes and the two famous boathouses at either end of the Obersee.
You'll need a ferry ticket round-trip from Königssee Seelände to Salet. The ferry runs year round, though the hours are limited during the winter season and the timetable is weather-permitting. Note that the ferry ticket allows you to split up your journey by stopping at St. Bartholomä.
The hike begins from the Salet ferry station at the southern end of the Königssee. Follow the yellow sign, and after only 10 minutes you will reach the western end of the Obersee. The first of the boathouses is located here. Up to this point the trail is a wide, flat gravel path.
From here you can continue another 1.3 miles to the Fischunkelalm, which is a small restaurant that sells cheese, soft drinks, and schnapps(!). The trail is rocky in a few spots, but it is quite safe. The second boathouse is also located here. Expect to wait in line to photograph it on a nice day if you don't want other people in your photos. At Fischunkelalm, there is a sign directing you "Zum Wasserfall" - toward the waterfall. It's an additional 0.8 miles or so each way, and though you can see the waterfall from the restaurant, there are better views from up close. You will likely also encounter cows along the way. When you reach the waterfall, you can turn around and head back on the same trail.
The ferry operators recommend returning on the ferry by early- to mid-afternoon on good weather days so that you don't get stuck on the wrong end of the lake. There are no trails between Salet and Schönau am Königsee, unfortunately. Be sure to add extra time if you plan to stop at St. Bartholomä as well. More information about the ferries, including timetables, can be found here: seenschifffart.de. Hiking maps are also available at the Berchtesgaden and Schönau am Königssee tourist desks.
Happy hiking!
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