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The Eagle's Nest: A Historical Summit

Explore the Eagle's Nest: a historic landmark offering panoramic views of the Bavarian Alps, steeped in WWII history and architectural marvel.

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Perched atop the Kehlstein mountain, the Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) offers stunning panoramic views and a glimpse into WWII history. Originally built as a Nazi party retreat, it now serves as a mountaintop restaurant and tourist destination near Berchtesgaden, Germany.

A brief summary to The Eagle's Nest

Local tips

  • Arrive early to avoid long lines for the bus and elevator, especially during peak season.
  • Check the weather forecast before your visit, as the Kehlsteinhaus is only open seasonally, typically from May to October.
  • Consider hiking up to the Eagle's Nest for a rewarding experience, but be prepared for a strenuous climb.
  • Book your bus ticket in advance to secure your preferred time slot.
  • Explore the lower rooms with a guided tour to see Allied graffiti and learn more about the building's past.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Berchtesgaden, take bus line 838 to Dokumentation Obersalzberg. From there, transfer to the special bus line 849, which takes you up Kehlsteinstraße to the Kehlsteinhaus parking area. From the parking area, enter the tunnel leading to the elevator that ascends to the Kehlsteinhaus. Bus 838 from Berchtesgaden to Obersalzberg is approximately €3. A round-trip ticket on bus 849, which includes the elevator, is approximately €32 for adults. A one-way ticket is around €25. Children between 6 and 14 years old get approximately half price per ticket. Check the official Kehlsteinhaus website for current pricing.

  • Taxi

    From Berchtesgaden Hbf, a taxi to the Kehlsteinhaus costs approximately €21-€26 and takes about 22 minutes. The taxi will drop you off at the Kehlsteinhaus parking area, from where you can enter the tunnel to the elevator.

  • Walking

    For a challenging but rewarding experience, hike from Obersalzberg to the Kehlsteinhaus. The hike takes approximately 2.5 to 4 hours. Follow the signs towards Kehlsteinhaus. Once at the Kehlsteinhaus parking area, enter the tunnel to the elevator. Note that the hike is steep and requires good physical condition.

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Discover more about The Eagle's Nest

The Eagle's Nest, known in German as the Kehlsteinhaus, is a historical building erected on the summit of the Kehlstein, a rocky outcrop high above Obersalzberg near Berchtesgaden. Commissioned by Martin Bormann as a 50th birthday gift for Adolf Hitler, it was completed in 1938 and intended as a diplomatic reception house and a quiet mountain retreat. However, Hitler only visited the site a reported 14 times, disliking the altitude and distrusting the elevator. Despite its history, the Eagle's Nest was spared from bombing during World War II and remains in its original form. Today, it serves as a restaurant, beer garden, and tourist site, offering visitors panoramic views of the Bavarian Alps. Photos displayed along the sun terrace document the location's history. The lower rooms can be visited with a guide and display graffiti left by Allied troops. The Kehlsteinhaus stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity, with a road blasted into the mountainside in just 13 months. The Kehlsteinstraße is 6.5 kilometers long, ascends 800 meters, and includes five tunnels and one hairpin turn. A 124-meter tunnel leads to an elevator that travels another 124 meters to the building's entrance.

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