The Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest) is a stone mountain lodge perched on the 1,834 m Kehlstein ridge above Berchtesgaden, built in 1937-1938 by the Nazi regime as a diplomatic reception house and presented for Hitler's 50th birthday. Nicknamed the "Eagle's Nest" by a French ambassador, it has served as a mountain restaurant since 1960 and endures both as one of the Alps' great viewpoints and as a place to reflect on the Nazi era. As of 2026 it opens only from around early May to late October and can be reached only by the dedicated electric shuttle buses. Pairing it with the nearby Documentation Obersalzberg gives essential historical context.
The unusual approach: a roughly 124 m tunnel bored into the mountain leading to a polished-brass, mirror-and-leather elevator that rises to the lodge
A 360-degree Alpine panorama stretching up to 200 km, taking in the Watzmann, Hoher Goll, Lake Konigssee and the Salzburg basin
Preserved interiors, including the original conference/reception room and the red marble fireplace said to have been a gift from Mussolini
The Kehlstein mountain road itself, a 1930s engineering feat now used only by the shuttle buses
Alpine walking paths above the house toward the Mannlgrat ridge, with high-mountain scenery and crisp air
Good to know
SeasonIt is a seasonal site, open roughly early May to late October and closed in winter. Snow or high winds can force short-notice closures, so check the official website for the day's operating status before you go.
SafetyAt 1,834 m it is cold and windy even in midsummer and temperatures drop sharply. Bring layers plus a windproof or warm jacket, and wear grippy shoes, as the paths near the summit are exposed with steep drop-offs.
RulesThe summit is reachable only by the dedicated Kehlstein shuttle bus (line 849) from the Obersalzberg car park; private cars are banned from the mountain road. In peak season, book the bus and elevator online at kehlsteinhaus.axess.shop in advance.
RulesOn arrival, reserve (get stamped) your return bus time at the ticket window first, and be at the departure point at least 30 minutes before your booked bus. Allow about 2 hours for the round trip and visit.
MannersThis is a site directly tied to the Nazi era and WWII. Nazi salutes or symbols are illegal in Germany and can be prosecuted, so avoid them and any mocking poses, and visit respectfully.
CautionBuy tickets only through official channels (axess.shop or the Obersalzberg Documentation Center counter). Day tours from Munich or Salzburg are legitimate but pricier; the bus fare is fixed and you cannot drive or freely hike up in season. Watch for pickpockets in crowded bus queues and around Salzburg.
Practical info
From Berchtesgaden station, take RVO bus 838 to the Obersalzberg car park (Salzbergstrasse 45), then the dedicated Kehlstein bus line 849 (about 15 minutes) to the top. The season runs roughly early May to late October, daily from about 8:30 with the last descent around 16:50 (shorter hours from late September), and the bus ticket includes entry to the Documentation Obersalzberg. Book at kehlsteinhaus.axess.shop; fares and times change, so confirm the latest on the official website.
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