Haus der Berge

About the museum

The Haus der Berge is the information and education center of Berchtesgaden National Park, founded in 1978 and the only national park in the German Alps. It replaced the earlier Nationalpark-Haus, which had been housed in a former Franciscan monastery since 1988. The Bavarian environment minister laid the foundation stone for the new building on Hanielstraße in October 2010, and the center opened in May 2013.

The site of roughly 17,000 square meters combines three parts: an information center with foyer, cinema, library, and exhibitions, an education center with workshops for groups and school classes, and an outdoor area with a panorama trail and nature experience areas. The facade of weathering steel and regional building materials echo the idea of the national park.

The centerpiece is the permanent exhibition "Vertikale Wildnis." Along a rising path, visitors cross the habitats of water, forest, alpine pasture, and rock, from the bottom of the Königssee to the peaks. At the end is a nature film on a large screen inside a mountain showcase. In the outdoor area, a historic alpine hut from 1848 from the national park was rebuilt. The operator is the Nationalparkverwaltung Berchtesgaden (national park administration).

Highlights

• Experience exhibition "Vertikale Wildnis" on around 1,000 m²
• Nature film on an 11 × 15 meter screen in the mountain showcase
• Free, accessible panorama trail with a view of the Watzmann
• Historic alpine hut "Lahnerkaser" from 1848
• Adventure grounds for children with stream and treehouse

Permanent exhibitions

• Vertikale Wildnis – On a rising hike through around 1,000 square meters, you go from the bottom of the Königssee through forest and alpine meadows to the rock zone; the finale is a twelve-minute nature film in the mountain showcase.
• Mensch & Berg – Exhibition with listening stations on the relationship between people and the mountain world in the Berchtesgadener Land; freely accessible.

Founded

2013

Operated by

Nationalparkverwaltung Berchtesgaden

Admission & discounts

Admission applies only to the "Vertikale Wildnis" exhibition. Foyer, cinema, library, temporary exhibitions, restaurant, and outdoor grounds are free during opening hours. Concession with the Hoamatkarte; concessions cannot be combined.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The entire information center is accessible for people with mobility impairments; the cinema has five wheelchair spaces, and the panorama trail is accessible. High-contrast design and, in the exhibition, a guidance system for the blind with audio guide (device free at the ticket desk). Covered accessible parking spaces. Excursions in sign language on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

Children's audio guide with radio plays for ages 6 to 12 (12 stations, approx. 30 min.). Family programs (e.g., on bats), children's program "Forschen & Werken" (Research & Crafts) for ages 6 to 10, and a holiday program. In the free outdoor area, children can build dams at the stream, climb, slide, and explore a treehouse.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Lockers

Restaurant "Spiesbergers Alpenküche" on the second floor with south terrace and view of the Watzmann, accessible without an exhibition ticket. Free lockers; three large dog kennels at the parking lot (key against deposit at the information desk).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 120 guests.

The conference room and library on the upper floor (divisible, up to 120 guests) as well as the cinema (80 seats) can be booked for events and screenings.

Plan your visit