Arguably the jewel in this region’s crown is Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, Germany’s first official ‘mountaineering village’, which is said to have more mountain guides than anywhere else in the country. Part of the villagers’ aim is to promote conservation, agriculture and sustainable development in order to preserve Alpine customs and traditions. Take one look at the picturesque centre and you’ll know that they take their responsibility very seriously – this is true, chocolate-box Bavaria.
On account of this natural beauty, Ramsau has drawn writers and artists since 1850: the Malerweg is a trail which takes in favourite beauty spots captured by 19th-century artists. Another highlight is the outlandishly picturesque parish church of St Sebastian, one of the iconic images from this part of Bavaria. Dating back to 1512, its setting – alongside the river with a backdrop of the Reiteralpe mountains – is as exquisite as the interior: carved on the late-gothic balcony which houses the organ are the figures of the twelve apostles who no doubt made an impression on the poet Josef Mohr – the man who penned the lyrics to Stille Nacht (‘Silent Night’) and who was parish assistant here in 1815.