One of the oldest states in Europe, Bavaria lies in the southernmost region of Germany, along the border with Austria, and covers 20% of the country’s total land area. Rich in culture and home to some of Europe’s most beautiful mountain scenery, there is a local saying that Bavaria is ‘not part of Germany, but near it’. Indeed the state has a very strong and colourful identity of its own, with Bavarians taking great pride in their traditions, which include playing the Alpenhorn and Maypole dancing, the regional dress of lederhosen for men and dirndls for women, such culinary specialities as white sausage and excellent local beers (served by the litre!), and centuries-old folk music amongst the many charms of the region.

At the heart of the Bavarian Alps, the Berchtesgaden National Park, situated between the Austrian city of Salzburg and the historic spa town of Bad Reichenhal, conserves the very best of this unique region and is the focus of this exciting Naturetrek holiday. Once a royal hunting reserve, this national park now protects over 200 square kilometres of pristine mountains rising to 2,700 metres. The park’s spectacular scenery includes the deep glacial Königssee (King’s Lake), glaciated valleys, deep gorges and mountains that are cloaked with forest beneath the 2,000-metre tree-line. We’ll explore this wide range of habitats and altitudes during daily walks in Berchtesgaden’s fabulous mountains and valleys, focusing on the area’s rich variety of alpine flowers, birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Our comfortable base for this holiday is a traditional family-run Bavarian hotel, enjoying magnificent views of the mountains from the forested slopes near the village of Bischofswiesen, close to the national park. Not far away, nestled beneath the imposing and jagged Watzmann Mountain range, lies the picturesque and unspoilt market town of Berchtesgaden — delightfully quaint and quintessentially Bavarian!

Within the national park we will explore the wonderful meadows and forests of the Klausbachtal Valley, rich in such wild flowers such as Lady’s Slipper Orchid, White and Red Helleborine, Lily of the Valley and May Lily. We will also look out for birds such as Golden Eagle, Hazelhen and Capercaillie. On another day we’ll explore the Königssee, scanning the surrounding area for mammals such as Chamois and Red Deer as well as the many woodland and water birds to be found here. After exploring the lake, we will visit the world-famous St. Bartholomew Church before searching nearby mixed forest and clearings along the lakeside banks for interesting flora such as Herb Paris, Twayblade and Bird’s-nest Orchid. These woods are also home to a rich birdlife — including Crested Tit and White-backed Woodpecker — and abundant butterflies.

At higher altitudes we’ll look for birds such as Golden Eagle, Alpine Chough, Ring Ouzel and Alpine Accentor, while descents through the forests give us the chance of Black and Three-toed Woodpeckers, Nutcracker and Goshawk. One of the highlights of a visit to the Berchtesgaden National Park in early summer is the carpets of alpine flowers in its high meadows; Globe Flower, Arnica montana, Alpenrose, Alpine Snowbell, Primula auricula, and numerous gentians being among the many species we hope to see. We’ll also keep an eye open for Marmots and Ibex. On one day we may offer an optional, more challenging walk on Mount Watzmann, Germany’s second highest mountain. Here, a winding forest trail leads to a high ‘alm’ (alpine grazing meadow) and gives us the chance to look for a variety of special forest and alpine plants such as Martagon Lily and Whorled Solomon’s Seal, as well as Griffon Vultures, Capercaillies and a wealth of butterflies.

While our main aim on this new tour will be to enjoy the mountain scenery, wildlife and flowers, a visit to this region of Germany would not be complete without the chance to discover aspects of Bavarian history and culture. We will be based very near the beautiful city of Salzburg — a World Heritage Site, birthplace of Mozart and, more recently, the setting for ‘The Sound of Music’ — and will pay the city a visit during our tour. The area around Berchtesgaden National Park is also known for its association with Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich, and you will have the chance to visit Hitler’s imposing ‘Eagle’s Nest’, perched high above Berchtesgaden town on Kehlstein Mountain.

Finally, after a week spent enjoying the stunning mountain scenery, wildlife, flowers and local Bavarian history and culture we reluctantly have to transfer back to Salzburg for our flight home. However, if you have time, and wish to extend your stay in this special region of Germany, extra nights in Salzburg are highly recommended.