Saint Bartholomew's Church — Attraction in Schönau am Königssee

The most straightforward way to reach this spot is by taking a boat ride across the Königssee from the town of Schönau am Königssee. Once you arrive at the St. Bartholomä landing, several short and easy trails allow you to explore the area around the church.

For seasoned hikers looking for more challenging and rewarding trails:

The Ice Chapel (Eiskapelle) Trail • Difficulty: Moderate • Distance: 6 km round trip • Duration: 2-3 hours This trail begins near the church and leads through a beautiful forested area before ascending towards the base of the Watzmann East Face, one of the most famous rock faces in the Alps.

The Ice Chapel is a natural ice cave that forms at the base of the Watzmann Glacier, even in the summer months. The cave is created by the accumulation of snow and ice that slides down from the mountain, compacting into a semi-permanent structure. The trail is well-marked and offers hikers a chance to experience the dramatic landscapes of the Alps, with the towering Watzmann always in view. The hike involves some elevation gain and rocky terrain, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

The Rinnkendlsteig Trail • Difficulty: Challenging • Distance: 8 km round trip • Duration: 4-5 hours This trail starts near the St. Bartholomä Church and takes you up steep, rocky paths with some sections requiring careful footing. The trail ascends through dense forests and across exposed ridges, providing breathtaking views of the Königssee and the surrounding mountains.

The trail eventually leads to the Archenkanzel viewpoint, which offers one of the best panoramas in the entire region. From here, you can see the full expanse of the Königssee, the Watzmann, and the Berchtesgaden Alps. The return journey follows the same path back down to St. Bartholomä, where you can rest and enjoy the peaceful surroundings before taking...

Breathtaking views. Ice capped mountains, coupled with crystal clear waters & fresh open air & skies. This place has been exposed to little to no pollution, they only operate electric boats. Place is well looked after and maintained to keep its natural aesthetics.The boat ride is a must. I visited in February 2025, it was pleasantly sunny. The crowd was little and scattered, which is the way I like it. In my experience the crowd were very diciplined/well behaved adding to the amazing atmosphere.

Everyone on the boat ride were simply enjoying the views. The soothing boat trip made me, in a good way, sleepy and relaxed.

The captain will stop the boat halfway through sailing at a specific point on the lake, then pin drop silence, all you hear is the mild howling wind the sound of water ripples, topped with the warmth of the sun. The captain will play the trumpet 🎺. (Its a tradition). You'll hear a impressive echo of the trumpet against the surrounding valley/mountains/cliffs. This part is mesmerising, its as though the mountain is singing back to you. This was the icing on the cake.

I arrived at the lake early in the morning around 6:30 to 7am. The area around the lake and the lake it self was foggy, you can barely see 2-3 meters in front of you. Alot of the shops hadn't opened yet. Apart from 1 cafe called ; Zechmeister Bakery & Cafe, which came in handy (if I remember correctly, it was cash only). At first I was worried that the fog wouldn't go away quick enough. But having spent 20-30 minutes sipping on some coffee and pastries the fog dissipated with the heat of the morning sun & it became super...

Pilgrimage Church of St. Bartholomew ⛪🇩🇪 📍 Königssee, Bavaria

The Pilgrimage Church of St. Bartholomew is one of the most iconic sights of Königssee, instantly recognizable by its red onion domes set against the dramatic backdrop of the Bavarian Alps. Accessible only by boat or on foot, the journey here feels as special as the destination.

After stepping off the boat at St. Bartholomä, the church’s picturesque lakeside setting invites you to slow down and take in the view. Inside, the atmosphere is peaceful, with simple yet charming Baroque-style decor. This historic church has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, and its serene surroundings make it easy to see why.

Visiting in good weather offers postcard-perfect reflections of the church on the lake’s emerald-green waters. On cloudy or misty days, the scene takes on a more mysterious and romantic charm.

🧭 Tip: Combine your visit with a meal at the nearby Fischerei St. Bartholomä, where you can try the area’s famous smoked fish while enjoying views of the church...