The most beautiful hike at Königsee (Lake König) – Insta spot Malerwinkel and Rabenwand.

Königssee lake is a natural beauty of Berchtesgadener Land, no filters needed, and it has charm that can be truly realized only when seen in real life. Photographs do a good job of presenting it, though, but nothing beats a visit via a simple hiking trail we’re about to cover here.

Mountain Moments brings you a map of the location, expert hiking advice, and photography workshops that will help you make the most of your day and your camera. Get the GPS for this hike in the Ebook!

What’s so special about Königssee? This is what awaits you on the location

The Königssee is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Alps and the most popular destination in the Berchtesgaden Alps – in summer and in winter! An easily accessible panorama highlight is the Malerwinkel.

The Malerwinkel tour is easy and also suitable for families with children. The detour to the Rabenwand, on the other hand, is particularly popular with photographers but requires at least a little surefootedness. The view of the Königssee from both vantage points is simply breathtaking.

Directions! This is how your hiking trail looks like on a map

The starting point of the hike is the Königssee car park/bus stop in Schönau am Königsee. We take the footpath to the lakeshore (600m), walk left along the shore, and pass the boat docks. This is where the Malerwinkel circular trail begins and leads slightly uphill and downhill to the café of the same name.

The circular route continues uphill, past the first vantage point. At the first junction, turn right in the direction of Rabenwand (narrow path). After the vantage point (840m) you are back on the circular route. Now follow the signs to the right and slightly downhill back to the large car park (starting point).

Alternative: The path to Café Malerwinkel is easy. Simply stay with the Malerwinkel Rundweg.

Phototips that will make your Instagram pop! The views of the Königssee and the national park

The view from Café Malerwinkel is already one of the most beautiful views of the Königssee and the national park. We get a similar perspective, albeit from a bird’s-eye view, if we take on the ascent to the Rabenwand. In our opinion, this is the most beautiful view of the Königssee!

In addition to the standard lens, don’t forget a telephoto lens.

Mountain Moments Photo Workshops provide Photo Tours for everybody, Alpine Experience for beginners and intermediate-level photographers with 3 to 6-hour routes, as well as Summit Experience for more advanced photographers and hikers. We have private workshops and group classes.

If you want to photograph a portrait, it is best to pay attention to the colors: an outfit in red, orange and yellow tones forms a particularly successful contrast to the mostly dark blue background of the lake.

Refreshment stops on this hiking trail are Café Malerwinkel and Königssee.

More information about your hiking trip – from arrival to the finish line

Getting there: Via the B305 or B20 to Berchtesgaden, at the roundabout (train station) in the direction of Königssee to the car park (subject to a fee).

Public transportation: By train to Berchtesgaden, change to the buses to Königssee (last stop).

Difficulty: easy – medium 

Duration: 2h

Distance: 5.3 km

Ascent/descent: 300hm/300hm

Highest/lowest point: 840m/600m

Refreshment stop: Café Malerwinkel, Königssee

Start/finish: Königssee car park/bus stop (coordinates: geogr. 47.592627, 12.987095)

Particular dangers: –

Tips: Nature reserve – please do not leave the signposted paths.

The most beautiful photo spots and hikes in the German Alps – experience this hiking tour and 29 other exceptional regions now.

Fancy more hikes in the mountains – and beautiful photos? Get out into nature! Experience the best hikes and locations with our new book: German Alps – Photo and Hiking Guide. The 90 best Photo Locations and 30 most panoramic Hikes.

Here we have compiled the most beautiful locations and photo opportunities. 30 hikes with 90 photo spots are selected and described in such a way that you can easily experience these wonderful landscapes in Bavaria for yourself – including GPS tracks and hiking map and all other information.

You can take a closer look at the ebook here– – why not give it as a gift to someone you want to visit and photograph these places with!

Of course, you will find all the information about this hike in the ebook. You als get the GPS track of this trail, so you are on the safe side and won’t get lost and will find all photo locations easily.

Feel invited to comment when you have finished this hike, thanks :)