Visiting Hitler’s mountain house, the Eagle’s Nest, or Kehlsteinhaus in German, is a pretty simple thing to do. We’ll give you a straightforward guide to getting up there without a tour and with no hassle at all. It’s really that easy. Are you ready?
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Before you visit the Eagle’s Nest
Many sources tell you that the Eagle’s Nest was a birthday present to Adolf Hitler form the Nazi party, but the official website says that is not true. Honestly the birthday present lie might’ve started just so it seemed a little more reasonable to build a house on a completely inaccessible mountain. “We built it just to show off that we could” sounds a lot worse, but it is likely the true version.
The Nazis just saw a mountain that had a nice view and decided they would conquer it with a lodge for their Führer. The mountain is called Kehlstein and is located near the town of Berchtesgaden. The Eagle’s Nest is part of a small mountain retreat called Obersalzberg, accessible from it by none other than a crazy road built just for the purpose of reaching an elevator carved into the solid rock of the mountain! Only then you are finally at the Eagle’s Nest. More on that later.
The History of the Eagle’s Nest
Obersalzberg used to include Hitler’s residence, the Berghoff, along with bunkers and underground tunnels. The residence was partially destroyed in bomings in April of 1945, then lit on fire and finally leveled in 1952. You can now only find some small ruins amongst the trees.
Which brings us back to the Eagle’s Nest. Funnily enough, Hitler was scared of heights and never really spent any significant time there, though his mistress and later wife, Eva Braun, did.
You might expect a museum or memorial there now, but you would be wrong. The Eagle’s Nest is a restaurant and the main draw are the magnificent views! There are some information panels outside that will help you understand the history of the place. The chalet itself isn’t anything fancy and the interior has been modernised of course, but since it didn’t suffer at all during the bombings, the actual structure is original.
Visiting the Eagle’s Nest without a tour:
1. Get to Obersalzberg.
Starting in Berchtesgaden you make your way either by bus, taxi or your own car to Obersalzberg.
There is a parking lot by the Dokumentationszentrum (Documentation Center) where you can leave your car. Beware that it can get full, in which case you have to drive further up the road to find a parking spot. The parking fee must be paid in cash only.
2. Special bus from Obersalzberg to the tunnel.
From here, your only option is a 3-hour hike or a special bus. Nobody is allowed to drive on the road to the Kehlsteinhaus, so everyone, even if you are part of a tour, goes on the same RVO buses for the 6km ride. This is, afterall, Germany’s steepest road.
So from the parking lot, make your way to the RVO bus stop which is right next to the parking lot. Buy bus tickets for 28 euro at the box office – this is a return bus trip and elevator ticket in one.
Buses leave every 25 minutes from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and there can be crowds, so be prepared to wait. When you buy your ticket, you will be asked to choose a return time so that everyone is guaranteed a spot on a bus back down of their choice.
3. Walk through the tunnel.
The tunnel is 124m long, cold and damp, and takes you to the elevator. Just walk through.
4. Elevator to the Eagle’s Nest.
The shiny elevator that was carved into the mountain up to the chalet is the last step to actually reach your Nazi-era destination. There is also a path that you can use to walk up if you don’t want to use the elevator.
5. You have arrived!
There is no other entrance fee to the Eagle’s Nest, though the bus fee you already paid more than makes up for it. The views up at the Nest are wonderful, so you can take a little stroll around or sit on one of the benches and relax. There is a restaurant inside the Eagle’s Nest and some information displays outside to read about what went down here.
Last note: The Eagle’s Nest is only open for tourists during May through October. Check the official website to see the exact dates for the current year.
And that’s it! You’ve been there, done that. Was it worth it?