Rock slide in Berchtesgaden National Park: Hikers in danger!

Rock slide in Berchtesgaden National Park: Hikers in danger!

A dramatic rockslide occurred in Berchtesgaden National Park on Tuesday, August 10, 2025, with around 4,000 cubic meters of rock crashing into the valley. This event not only caused a stir, but also caused acute danger in the popular hiking area. Local police had to evacuate 20 hikers, including 18 adults, a teenager and a child, from the danger area by helicopter. Fortunately, only a 46-year-old hiker from Hesse was slightly injured when a ricocheting stone hit him.

However, geologist Stefan Kellerbauer warns of further instability. At the eruption site, a visible, open crack in the rock face was discovered from which material was emerging. The rear Wimbachtal therefore remains closed. National park spokespersons emphasize that closing the buried path is unavoidable. The danger zone is in the so-called Torrener Joch zone, which is considered geologically unstable, and according to district manager Martin Weckel, it is unclear when further rock could fall. Trails #411 and 421 will remain closed pending an advisory.

Historical rockfalls and current dangers

Rockfalls are not a new phenomenon in this region. A particularly serious rock fall occurred in September 1999, when 200,000 cubic meters of rock fell. The situation at Hochvogel in the Allgäu is also worrying: there, a crack that has widened over the last 10 to 20 years has developed into a serious danger spot. There could be a possible landslide of around 260,000 cubic meters into the Hornbachtal.

A look at science shows that climate change plays a significant role here. The permafrost in the Alps is melting, leading to increased instability of the rock. According to TU professor Michael Krautblatter, erosion is accelerated by rising temperatures, increased snowmelt and heavy rain. As a result, the rocks that were previously stable due to frost are now increasingly beginning to loosen. The observations in Kandersteg and Hochvogel also illustrate the alarming development and increase the risk of mountain and rock falls in the coming years.

Hikers should remain alert

Hikers in the affected areas are urged to take the warnings seriously and respect the closures. There are unpredictable dangers from further rock falls. In recent years, reports of landslides in the Alps have increased, and it is foreseeable that the social and economic consequences will increase in regions at risk. Property prices in affected areas are falling rapidly and public concern is growing.

The situation in the Alps is a striking example of how climate change is transforming our environment. When it comes to these natural phenomena, no stone is left unturned and hikers should remain vigilant and informed. Particular attention is paid to information from the authorities and geological developments. There is still a lot to observe here, which requires the hiker to have a good hand.

For more in-depth information, see Giessener Anzeiger, [t-online]. after.