Looking for a novel experience – and an opportunity to soak in incredible sky-high views – while visiting Salzburg or nearby environs? Kehlsteinhaus – often called Eagle’s Nest – is a mountaintop destination with magnificent vistas and a storied history. The 6,000-square-foot teahouse (Kehlsteinhaus) was designed for diplomatic purposes during the daytime (no bedrooms). It was part of a complex built for Adolf Hitler (although he rarely used it, in part because he was afraid of heights and was claustrophobic); most of the compound associated with the Nazis was bombed in World War II, leaving Kehlsteinhaus intact. Today, the teahouse is a popular tourist destination. My husband and I enjoyed our visit here (while staying in Salzburg) – especially the unique way to access the mountaintop (through an elevator within the mountain) and the views awaiting us once we ascended to the peak.
Kehlsteinhaus is definitely worth a visit during the summer and early fall (open from mid-May to early October). Make it a full-day trip with visits to a national park, a lake, or a fascinating tour of a salt mine.
Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest) | Salzbergstraße 45, Parkplatz Obersalzberg 83471 Berchtesgaden | +498652 2969
Highlights of a visit to Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest)
- 360-degree panoramic views of the Berchtesgaden Alps and Salzburg on clear days
- Mountaintop trails to experience the vistas from different vantage points
- Dining inside the restaurant and casual eats outside on the terrace on warm, clear days is a treat
Hours of Operation and Admission
Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest) is open from mid-May to early October, weather permitting. Hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Tips for Your Visit to Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest)
- If driving, park in the Obersalzberg Documentation Center (Salzbergstrasse 45, 83471 Berchtesgaden) lot, and take the required bus to the tunnel entrance. (You can’t drive all the way up yourself; you must take one of the special buses.) From inside the mountain, you’ll take an elevator to the mountaintop.
- If you don’t have a car, there is a public bus at the train station to take you to Obersalzberg. From there, you’ll take the special bus to access Eagle’s Nest.
- Expect to spend about 60-90 minutes getting from – and back to – the parking lot, plus time at the summit.
- There is a gift shop by the bus parking lot with souvenirs, guidebooks, and the postcards.
- A Berchtesgaden webcam shows current conditions.
- Consider visiting the Obersalzberg Documentation Center that was built atop a Nazi bunker and now houses exhibits that play “an important role in the national and international reappraisal of the Nazi past.”
- Another option is exploring the town of Berchtesgaden, nearby Lake Königssee, or visiting the underground Berchtesgaden Salt Mines (another fun, unique experience).
- Experienced hikers might enjoy exploring Nationalpark Berchtesgaden, the nearby scenic Almbach Gorge (a challenging 3.7-mile out-and-back trail) and Kehlstein Rundweg (a challenging 6.8-mile out-and-back trail).
Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest) Location & Directions
Location
Since Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest) is located in a tiny southeast pocket of Germany (surrounded by Austria), it’s an easy day trip from spots in both countries. (We enjoyed visiting here one afternoon while staying in Salzburg.)
- Distance from Salzburg, Austria: about 16 miles/26 km
- Distance from Munich, Germany: about 96 miles/156 km
- Distance from Innsbruck, Austria: about 125 miles/200 km
Directions
The official Kehlsteinhaus website offers these details for getting to the site: If you travel by car, take the A8 and exit at Bad Reichenhall or at Salzburg Süd to Berchtesgaden and from there the Obersalzberg road to the Hintereck parking area at Obersalzberg.
Possible ways of reaching Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest)
- RVO-Bus from the Hintereck parking area to the Eagle’s Nest parking area or
- hike from the Hintereck parking area up to the Eagle’s Nest parking area (approx. 2 to 3 hours)
Map of Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest)
Brief History of Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest)
Today’s popular Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest) was once a small lodge that was built as a surprise gift for Adolf Hitler’s 50th birthday in 1939. It was meant to be a place for Hitler to relax, though he visited infrequently. This may have been because, as mentioned, he was known to be both claustrophobic and afraid of heights, so the long tunnel entrance and elevator within the mountain did not sit well with him. He was also averse to heights, so he probably didn’t find the mountaintop views attractive.
In the 1940s, this building was part of a compound comprising dozens of buildings connected by bunkers. Eventually, most of the complex was bombed – beginning with the Allies bombing it during WWII and later completed by the German government. However, the WWII Allies decided to save Kehlsteinhaus, which remained untouched. Now, it’s a place where visitors enjoy incredible 360-degree sky-high views, mountain ridge strolls, and indoor and outdoor dining options.
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Final Thoughts
My husband and I visited Kehlsteinhaus in Germany one day while staying in Salzburg and found it to be a unique experience: walking through a mountain tunnel, riding up an elevator to the mountain peak, and enjoying walks along the mountain ridge. On a clear day, the views are spectacular. Plus, there’s a restaurant inside and an outdoor café, so whatever the temperature, there’s a comfortable space to relax while enjoying the vistas.
Comments?
Feel free to share your experiences at Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest) and/or suggestions for other places to visit in the general Salzburg area. Your ideas could be helpful to other travelers. Thanks! 🙂
