Hochberg

The Hochberg rises to 774 metres between Traunstein and Siegsdorf, forming the highest point in the Chiemgau region outside the Alps. Its slopes are mostly farmland yet serve as a local recreation area for walkers and cyclists. At the summit stands a guesthouse and a Bavarian Broadcasting mast, both visible from the valleys below. The summit offers one of the finest views in the region, reaching up to 40 kilometres on clear days. The lack of artificial light makes it a favourite spot for amateur astronomers and radio enthusiasts. Walkers often pass through on routes that link forests and meadows along the Traun river. The Hochberg first entered written records in 1048 when it was granted to the Archbishop of Salzburg. In 1818 it became a separate municipality, which lasted until 1972 when it was divided between Traunstein and Siegsdorf. The broadcasting mast, built in 1960, still carries television and radio signals across the eastern Chiemgau and Berchtesgaden area.