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Perched high in the clouds on the Kehlstein peak of Berchtesgaden National Park, Eagles Nest once served as a private meeting place for Nazi officials. Today, it remains one of the few surviving monuments from Hitler’s regime, offering a chilling reminder of its dark history.
It’s unsettling to think that one of the most infamous figures in history stood here while orchestrating horrific crimes against humanity. Yet, this ominous structure has been reimagined into a beautiful biergarten, where tourists can now enjoy traditional Bavarian food, sip cold beer, and marvel at the breathtaking views of the Bavarian Alps.
That said, its stunning location and panoramic vistas make Eagles Nest a place you simply can’t miss! The combination of natural beauty and historical intrigue makes it an unforgettable stop on any Germany itinerary.
In this post, we’ll take you on a scenic drive from Munich to Eagles Nest, share insider tips on how to reach this iconic mountaintop retreat (with or without a car), and give you a glimpse of the breathtaking views and unique experiences waiting for you at the top!
VISITING EAGLES NEST: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
It’s day 4 of our epic European road trip, and today’s adventure took us to the iconic Eagles Nest. We were lucky enough to visit by car since Luke’s sister Sara (who’s stationed in Germany) has a vehicle, meaning we didn’t need to rent one. The scenic drive from Munich to Eagles Nest took about 2 hours, making it a perfect pit stop on our way to Austria.
If you’re planning to visit Kehlsteinhaus, the locally recognized name for Eagles Nest, keep in mind that private vehicles are not permitted on the winding mountain roads. Only designated buses can make the journey. Since we visited on our own, we drove straight to the Kehlsteinhaus Bus Stop, where we purchased our tickets at the booth. Admission to Eagles Nest itself is free, but round-trip bus tickets cost €31.90. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can skip the bus and tackle the extremely steep and challenging hike to the top. In that case, you’ve definitely earned that free admission!
Once aboard the bus, prepare for a scenic 20-minute drive up a steep and winding mountain road. Upon arrival at the base of Eagles Nest, the journey isn’t over yet! To reach the summit, you have two options: a 30-minute paved hike of switchbacks or walking through a chilly stone tunnel to take the glamorous brass-plated elevator. I highly recommend the elevator, it’s part of the historical experience!
Insider Tip: Save Time with Return Bus Reservations
As soon as you step off the bus, head straight to the ticket window to reserve your return time slot. This ensures a hassle-free ride back down the mountain and helps avoid any unnecessary delays.
For our visit, we took the elevator up and hiked down. This gave us the best of both worlds, an iconic ride up and the chance to enjoy the stunning scenery on the way down. Plus, hiking downhill made the trek much easier and more enjoyable!
Once at the summit, you’ll find that there isn’t much to do beyond soaking in the incredible panoramic views and exploring the grounds. The former Nazi retreat has been transformed into a popular tourist spot and now functions as a restaurant. After taking in the breathtaking vistas of the Bavarian Alps, unwind at the outdoor terrace, where you can enjoy a cold Bavarian beer and savor traditional dishes like bratwurst and goulash. Sitting with a pint in hand, overlooking the alpine landscape, is truly the essence of the Eagles Nest experience!
Insider Tip: Is Eagles Nest Open in the Winter?
Eagles Nest is only open seasonally, from mid-May to mid-October. Due to its high-altitude location and harsh winter conditions, the site remains closed during the colder months. Be sure to plan your visit during the summer and early fall season! (We visited in September).
HOW TO GET TO EAGLES NEST BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
If you don’t have a car, don’t worry, Eagles Nest is accessible by public transportation from Munich. However, be prepared for a long and involved day! You’ll need to navigate train transfers and bus rides, which can be time-consuming and a bit of a hassle. If you’d rather avoid the stress, I highly recommend booking a tour for a smoother, more carefree experience.
That said, if you’re up for the adventure of using public transportation, I’ve detailed step-by-step instructions below to help you get from Munich to Eagles Nest. I’ve also included directions from Salzburg, Austria, since it’s a much more manageable day trip from Salzburg than from Munich.
GETTING TO EAGLES NEST FROM MUNICH
Get from Munich to Berchtesgaden HBF.
There are no direct trains, so you'll be transferring in Freilassing.
The trip takes about 2.5 hours to reach Berchtesgaden HBF. The cheapest way to do this as a day trip is to purchase a Bayern Ticket, which covers all your transportation for the day on regional transport in Bavaria.
Get from Berchtesgaden HBF to the Eagle’s Nest Bus Stop (Kehlstein Busabfahrt)
From the train station you can take the local Bus 838, which runs once an hour and takes about 15 minutes to reach your destination. If the timing doesn’t work for you, splurge for a convenient and quick 7-minute taxi ride, costing around €12.
Purchase bus ticket at Eagles Nest bus stop (Kehlsteinhaus) and take the bus up to Eagle’s Nest. The bus ride is the only way to get up to the top!
Unless you're up for a long and devastating hike. Trust me, skip the hike and take the bus ride up. The first bus up leaves at 7:40 am and the last bus down departs at 4 pm. This bus ticket trip is NOT covered by the Bayern Ticket.
Once you disembark the bus you can either hike the last 30 minutes up or walk through the tunnel and take the fancy elevator up. You’ve finally made it. Now, take a moment to enjoy the awe-inspiring views and grab a well-deserved beer!
GETTING TO EAGLES NEST FROM SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
The good news is that Eagles Nest is actually much closer to Salzburg, Austria, which was our next stop on our road trip. If you're visiting Eagles Nest from Salzburg, taking public transportation is a bit more doable, but if you'd prefer to avoid the hassle book a tour instead!
Take Bus 840 (the Watzmann-Express) from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden HBF. This bus takes about 50 minutes to reach Berchtesgaden.
From Berchtesgaden HBF, take Bus 838 to the Eagle’s Nest Bus Stop (Kehlstein Busabfahrt). You can take Bus 838, which departs every hour and takes about 15 minutes to reach the Eagle’s Nest Bus Stop, or opt for a quick 7-minute taxi ride.
From the Eagle’s Nest Bus Stop (Kehlsteinhaus), take the bus up to Eagles Nest.
The bus is the only way to Eagles Nest.
Once you arrive at the top, take the elevator or hike up the last 30 minute stretch to Eagles Nest. You’ve made it!
HISTORY OF EAGLES NEST AND ITS NAZI PAST
Eagles Nest (or Kehlsteinhaus) was built in 1938 as a retreat for high-ranking Nazi officials, including Adolf Hitler, who visited the site only a handful of times. At 6,017 feet, the location was chosen for its breathtaking panoramic views of the Bavarian Alps. The retreat was intended as a place for relaxation, social gatherings, and parties, far removed from the public eye. The building was designed to impress, featuring a stunning brass elevator that takes visitors up from the mountain’s base, which itself is an architectural feat. Despite its grandeur, Eagles Nest was never actually used by Hitler as a residence. His actual vacation home, the Berghof, was located farther down the mountain. Which was heavily bombed around the time of Hitler’s suicide.
After Hitler’s suicide, Allied troops raided Eagles Nest and Berghof. One of their most extraordinary discoveries? A bunker filled with hundreds of thousands of bottles of fine wine and liquor, Hitler’s personal collection. Although German troops had bombed the elevator during their retreat, preventing easy access to the treasures, the Allied soldiers found creative solutions. They used medical stretchers to carry the bottles, ensuring the world-class collection wouldn’t go to waste.
The celebration by the troops is often described as the most expensive booze binge in history. Whether or not that’s true, it remains one of the most incredible stories tied to Eagles Nest!
IS EAGELS NEST WORTH VISITING?
Absolutely! Eagles Nest is a stunning location with panoramic views of the Bavarian Alps. Whether you're drawn to the fascinating history behind the retreat, the thrilling tunnel and brass elevator ride, or simply the chance to relax with a cold beer soaking in the views, this mountain top destination has something for everyone. While its past is tied to a dark period of history, Eagles Nest today serves as a powerful reminder of both the beauty of the region and the lessons we can learn from the past. If you're traveling through Bavaria, it’s definitely a must-see! So, yes Eagles Nest is definitely worth the visit!
Curious to see more of our adventures? Explore other posts for highlights from our European road trip, including top destinations and travel tips!
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