Hallthurm

Hallthurm is a mountain pass and protected monument between Bischofswiesen and Bayerisch Gmain in the Berchtesgaden Alps. The route connects both communities at roughly 693 meters elevation and is traversed today by Bundesstraße 20, which provides year-round access through the region.

The pass emerged as a vital connection route during times when crossing the Alps presented a major challenge. Its strategic importance endured across centuries as it linked regions and enabled trade and movement of people through the mountains.

The name references a historic tower that once marked the passage and continues to define the landscape today. This architectural feature shows how mountain communities created landmarks to navigate challenging Alpine terrain.

The site is accessible via Bundesstraße 20, which remains open year-round and provides comfortable access. Visitors should expect changing weather and plan for snowy conditions during winter months, though the road itself is well-maintained.

The site unusually combines a natural geographic feature with a protected architectural structure in a single location. This combination makes it a rare example where natural landscape and human heritage meet within one place.