Message!

The southern access road to the Rossfeld Panorama Road will be closed from September 9, 2024, until probably September 25, 2024. Access via the northern toll station (Oberau) up to Ahornkaser is possible, and all viewpoints are accessible.

About the panoramic road

The panoramic road has a lot to offer!

Overnight stays in vehicles and camping
along the entire route of the Rossfeld Panoramastraße and the associated car parks is not permitted!

A trip along the panoramic road, which is open all year round, is an unforgettable experience!

View to the east

of the Salzach Valley with Salzburg, the Salzburg Alps, the Dachstein and the Totes Gebirge.

View to the south-east

to the Tennen and Hagen mountains

View to the south

to the Hoher Göll (2,522 m) and the Kehlstein (1,837 m) with the Kehlsteinhaus

View to the south-west and west

Berchtesgaden Alps with Watzmann (2,713 m), Hochkalter (2,607 m), Reiteralpe and Berchtesgaden

View to the north-west and north

to the Lattengebirge and the Untersberg (1,973 m)

The fascination of Germany’s highest panoramic road!

The impressive mountain world of the Berchtesgadener Land can be easily reached by car or public bus from Berchtesgaden. Generous parking facilities and a breathtaking panoramic view of the mighty mountain landscapes await you at the top of the road. Use the road as a starting point for varied hikes and enjoy the hospitality of the two beautifully situated mountain inns and the kiosk. In winter, the region’s most snow-sure family ski area beckons with exciting descents to Oberau. Discover the unrivalled beauty of nature with views of the Salzach Valley, the Tennen and Hagen mountains, the Hoher Göll, the Kehlstein, the Berchtesgaden Alps, the Lattengebirge and the Untersberg.

ROSSFELD PANORAMASTRASSE
Moon and sunrise

ROSSFELD PANORAMASTRASSE
Road in general

Road data

15,4 km

Length (until 1 January 1998 around 16.9 km, but part of the route was attributed to the district town of Berchtesgaden)

1.570 m

is the highest point in the area of the crest section or 750 m in Obersalzberg and 850 m in Oberau

13 %

Maximum gradient

12 m

Smallest radii in the hairpin bends of the south ascent

8 %

Maximum cross slope

7-9 m

Carriageway width

1100 m

Difference in height

14 pieces

Bridge structures

Longest: 135 m (Lehnengewölbe crown section)
Highest: 20 m (Prielgraben bridge)

Flora and Fauna

The Roßfeld is a ridge of Upper Jurassic limestone running in a north-south direction. The relatively gently curving landscape has only the two elevations Ahornbüchsenkopf and Hennenköpfl in the southern ridge area, which are composed of Hallstatt limestone and dolomite.

The predominant habitat type at this altitude between 1,550 and 1,600 metres is the subalpine spruce forest, which alternates with herb-rich green alder scrub, alpine grassland communities and rocky meadows. The dominant tree species is the high-altitude spruce, a narrow-crowned, dense conifer that is extremely resistant to wind and snow breakage.

On swelling and marly steep slopes, green alder bushes and tall herbaceous meadows spread out, protecting the soil from avalanches and erosion. In addition to the green alder (also known as “Laublatsche”), the alpine milkwort, alpine fern, mountain knapweed, monkshood, Hungarian and yellow gentian, gemwort and narrow-leaved willowherb thrive on the nutrient-rich and moist sites. Corresponding to this wealth of plant species, the green alder scrub is home to the richest animal life in the high montane to subalpine zone.

Alpine flora in transition

Grazing and eutrophication of the alpine pastures inevitably leads to selection and species impoverishment. In the marginal zones and rocky areas, however, the diversity of alpine flora is visible. With special survival strategies, arnica, bearded bellflowers, lycopodium, rock valerian, bilberry, globe devil’s claw, lousewort, shefflower, scabious, silver thistle, dwarf bindweed and many other alpine flowers have been able to adapt to the small relief and the extreme climate and soil conditions of the Rossfeld and are not only beautiful to look at, but also play an important role in the ecological balance of the Alps.

Habitat in the changing seasons

The open alpine meadows, which make excellent ski slopes in winter, provide an ideal habitat for chamois and marmots. During the mating season, black grouse gather in the alpine clearings and fight their typical battles before sunrise. Capercaillie and ravens can be heard from the mountain forest. Alpine accentor, tree pipit and three-toed woodpecker also feel at home at this altitude. To the amusement of holidaymakers, the almost trusting-looking mountain choughs perform their search game at the summit cross of the Roßfeld every day and show off their unsurpassed flying skills. The Roßfeld also belongs to the wider catchment area of the golden eagles living in the Berchtesgaden National Park.

The Rossfeld is undoubtedly the most popular excursion destination in this region due to its impressive and unforgettable mountain panorama, which is accessible by car all year round. Here you can experience the unique fauna and flora of the high mountains up close.

Architecture for eternity

The Rossfeld Panoramastraße (formerly Roßfeldhöhenringstraße) was built between 1937 and 1940 as the eastern end of the German Alpine Road by the “State Construction Management for the German Alpine Road”.

The idea of a German Alpine Road was first presented to the public in 1927 by medical councillor Dr Knorz from Prien. It was intended to connect the transverse valleys of the Alps between Lake Constance and Königssee with a closed road along the mountains in order to promote tourism.

In 1933, the National Socialists took up this project. Construction of the first sections in Inzell began in November of the same year.

The Rossfeld Panoramastraße was not yet included in the original concept for the German Alpine Road, as the model from 1933 and the map from 1937 show. The end of the German Alpine Road was therefore planned at Königssee.

The Rossfeld as a film set

The Rossfeldstraße and the surrounding mountains have been used as a backdrop by film companies for many years. Some of the best-known films with scenes shot on the Rossfeld are:

Sound of Music

1965: With Julie Andrews

The film is considered one of the most watched films. It made it to 40th place in the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 best films and 4th place among the most important musical films of all time.