Barmsteine

Large (left) and Little Barmstein (840 m, right) [note 1] of Bad Dürrnberg.

The Barmsteine ​​, Bavarian: Barmstoa, are two rock towers with a height of 841 m and 851 m at the northeast edge of the Berchtesgaden Alps. They stand above the Austrian town of Hallein, and form the border between Salzburg and Berchtesgaden.

Geology

In geology, as they are the namesake of the so-called Barmsteinkalks, an interpreted as turbidite part of Oberalm formation of the higher law, known.

A rock storage on small Barmstein

Climbing and Hiking

Especially with the climbers rock towers are a popular target because they are lit up in the late evening from the sun and are easy to reach. The difficulty level of the small Barmstein is II to III, the great Barmstein however, is climbing technically much more demanding. In addition to the two large Barmsteinen there is also the Katzenbarmsteine ​​extending the south ridge of the small Barmsteins. There is also a Boulder Park.

However, the Barmsteine ​​can be easily mounted even on platforms with carved into the rock steps with railings and some tightrope insured locations. At the small Barmstein is this boarding [note 1] on the south side. For heights and sure-footed but you should be for these increases anyway. For hikers is also the ruin Thürndl, which is just a little east, worth seeing.

In the West, the Barmsteinen are the forest and meadow slopes of Gnotschaft Mehlweg in front, over which one can wander about the Koeppel cutting to Schellenberg.

In January 2008, the south side of the Little Barmstein was after repeated violations of the rules of climbing landowners locked using the fence for climbers.

Fence to block the Little Barmsteins for climbers

History

Studs in the Barmsteinen were used for the storage of beer in the nearby brewery Hofbräuhaus Kaltenhausen. The Alpine Club climbing on the small Barmstein was created in 1885 and 1926, renewed by the PES section Hallein ( by steps and wire ropes ).

Even during the time of National Socialism, the Barmsteine ​​were used visible and invisible: In addition to the use of tunnels as a location for defense industry were already before the annexation of Austria to Germany a large swastika mounted with white color that it was clearly visible in the direction of Austria. After the war, it was removed and is now barely recognizable.