Lake Königssee

Arial views of the lakes of Lake Königssee and Obersee: After the initial views of snow-clad mountains and valleys, we are treated to the classic view of Königssee with the peninsula of St Bartholomew and the Schönfeldspitze Mountain in the background. Then, the camera angles in on two white boats that have just crossed each other, trailing their wakes. We then view the area at the end of Königssee, called Salet, with a general view of Obersee lake stretching out behind the thin strip of land that separates the two bodies of water. The final shot here shows off the same scenery from a higher perspective.

Höglwörth Abbey near Anger

The helicopter’s flight above the former Augustinian monastery of Höglwörth gifts audiences with a bird’s eye view of the ancient abbey’s idyllic location. Crowning a verdant peninsula that leans out over a small lake, Höglwörth’s onion-domed steeple and colorful monastic complex form a harmonious cluster against the woodland backdrop. Sunlight shimmers on the lake’s surface like a constellation of silver stars… Stunning locations such as this, helped to depict the pristine alpine region of mountains, forests and lakes in which the von Trapp Family lived.

Mehlweg Meadow (Marktschellenberg)

This is the site of the world's most famous cinematic opening scenes. Among 6 different shots of Maria at this location, the best remembered is her iconic twirl as she breaks into song: “The Hills are Alive”. The initial shoot is from the air but the remaining scenes are filmed up close: Maria walking among birch trees (moved here for the shoot), crossing a stream (a trench was dug and filled with water), climbing a bluff and walking along its crest as she ends the song. Hearing the abbey’s bells, Maria runs down the hill, with Berchtesgaden’s landmark, Mt Watzmann, rising in the distance. The film location (Mehlweg, Marktschellenberg) is not accessible at present because it is private property and is used for agriculture. Please respect the owners concerns. Please contact the Tourist Info Marktschellenberg for updates.

Rossfeld

The movie’s closing scenes were filmed on the crest of Mt Rossfeld. Against the backdrop of Mt Hoher Göll and the Purtschellerhaus, we see Captain von Trapp carrying Gretl on his back as he leads the family through a flowering meadow. In the very last scene, the von Trapps walk along a ridge, while in the distance we make out the “Eagle’s Nest” (Kehlsteinhaus), the Reiteralpe & Untersberg mountains, as well as the valleys of Berchtesgaden and Salzburg. Throughout this dramatic 'escape', “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” plays in the background in the film’s emotional finale.