Ready for the next legendary adventure? The Alpine region is a place full of legends, myths and sagas. The stories show mountains, landscapes and lakes in a slightly different light and give local tours a very special kick. From Bavaria to Berchtesgaden to South Tyrol — five of these stories come to life here.
Legends from Berchtesgaden: The cruel King Watze
According to legend, there was once a cruel and bloodthirsty king called Watze or Watzmann who, together with his wife, his seven children and his pack of hellish hunting dogs, spread fear and terror across the land. But one of his victims cursed the royal family, who were hated by the people. So they were turned to stone over the Berchtesgaden valley and their blood flowed together to form the Königssee. The place where Watz’s hellhounds are said to have plunged to their deaths after the passing of their master is known today as the Dog’s Death. The Watzmann is considered the landmark of Berchtesgaden and, with its 2,713-metre central peak, is the highest peak in Germany. Together with the Kleiner Watzmann (2,307 meters) — also known as the Watzmannfrau — it frames several small peaks known to mountaineers as the Watzmannkinder…
Our Salzalpensteig hiking tour leads 125 kilometers from Chiemsee to the legendary Königssee and ends with a view of the imposing Watzmann — goosebumps guaranteed. More details about the tour can be found here.
The legend of Lake Braies: In the realm of the Fanes
The most famous lake in South Tyrol also plays an important role in the world of legends, as it is said that you can reach the subterranean realm of the Fanes by boat. The gateway to the underworld is probably located at the southern end of the lake, where today the imposing Seekofel mountain towers 2,810 meters above Lake Braies. This mountain is also known as Sass dla Porta, i.e. Torberg…
The perfect setting for this story is provided by our nature park hike through the Dolomites, which starts right at Lake Braies, in whose crystal-clear waters the walls of the Sass dla Porta are reflected. More details about the tour here.
Wonderful things from the Partnach Gorge: The Wettersteinmandl
Surrounded by thundering waterfalls, gurgling whirlpools and craggy rock faces, the odd Wettersteinmandl is said to live in a hidden hut. A long time ago, he was there when little Hias was surprised by thunder and lightning, heard a mocking laugh and then fell into the waters of the Partnach. The Wettersteinmandl — an old but strong man — pulled him out, invited him into his bark hut and told him about the weather witch. She had conjured up the storm to drag the boy into the floods. When the storm had passed, the rescuer accompanied the boy back on his way. As Hias wondered about the green color of the Partnach, his companion began to tell him: Years ago, when he was still a boy himself, he had found a green color in the rocks of the Partnach gorge that was so pure and intense that he wanted to take it to Italy to dye the prince’s robes. But as he set off, the weather witch caused the Partnach to rise and hurled a bolt of lightning, causing him and his barrel full of dye to plunge into the floods. He managed to save himself, but the precious paint was lost. When he later passed this spot again on his way back home, he realized that the river had turned green and had always been this beautiful green…
On our guided Alpine crossing from Garmisch to Sterzing, we cross the impressive Partnachklamm gorge. Will hikers who are surprised by a thunderstorm here catch a glimpse of the otherwise hidden hut of the Wettersteinmandl? More information about the route here.
History of Lake Hallstatt: The giant Krippen am Dachstein
The Krippenstein towers high above Lake Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut; according to legend, the landscape was once covered in lush alpine pastures. The immensely rich giant Krippen lived there with his beautiful but blind daughter. One day, out of concern for his only child, he called the mountain spirit, who gave him a gray scroll and commanded: “On the third night of the full moon, go to that broad area there, put the scroll around your shoulder, it will become a cloak. Take your daughter on the cloak; when the moon is over the mountain, she will see. But beware of speaking an evil word or harboring an evil thought during this time. The giant did as he was told and the scroll became a wide cloak with gemstones glittering in its folds. At that moment, the knight Thumbelina, who was courting the blind bride, grabbed the glittering stones, driven by greed. Enraged, the giant uttered a curse and a roar of thunder filled the air — since time immemorial, this region has been home to wild scree instead of blooming mountain pastures. Even today, the body of the giant Krippen can still be recognized as the rock of the Krippenstein — leaning against his shoulder sleeps his beautiful, blind daughter and to his left looms the greedy Thumbelina…
On the Salzkammergut circular hiking trail with charm, an exploration of the Krippenstein is part of the program — on the hiking trip there is enough time to contemplate the moral of the story of the giant Krippen. More information about the hike here.
South Tyrolean legend: King Laurin and his rose garden
The South Tyrolean legend of the dwarf king Laurin is one of the best known and the Rosengarten is the perfect backdrop for a fabulous hike: the dwarf king Laurin fell in love with a princess and wanted to abduct her to his kingdom. But her father’s knights overpowered him, even though he was considered invincible — neither his cloak of invisibility nor his magic belt helped. Laurin then cursed his favorite place: neither by day nor by night should a human eye ever be able to see his rose garden again. But he had forgotten the twilight and so the blooming roses of the enchanted garden continue to shine, but only for a short time in the morning and evening…
There are other hiking trails in the Val d’Ega in South Tyrol that invite you to discover legends and myths. In autumn and spring, with a bit of luck, the legendary mermaid Ondina can be spotted at Lake Carezza — a statue is located on a stone in the middle of the lake and only appears when the water level is low!
If you want to be enchanted by the legendary landscape of South Tyrol, our hiking tour from Brixen to Meran takes you right into the heart of the region. More information about the route here.
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We have summarized all the hikes for the stories presented in the article.