Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus)
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Das Kehlsteinhaus - by crischi from Pixabay
Description
The Kehlsteinhaus, known as "the Eagle's Nest ", is a building erected atop the summit of the Kehlstein that rises above the town of Berchtesgaden and its surroundings in southwestern Germany, near the Austrian border. It was inaugurated on Hitler's 50th birthday and was used exclusively for Nazi gatherings, both social and official meetings. Today, it is used as a tourist site and a restaurant / beer garden. One of the particularities of the building is that it is accessed by a combination of a dedicated road climbing 800m over 6.5km (12% av. gradient) followed by a 124m tunnel leading to an elevator. From there it is another 124m vertical ascent to the building. It isn't possible to drive up to the building so visitors have three options: hike for about 1.5h, take the bus with elevator access (€30.8 adults / €16 children a time of review) or take a guided tour that also includes the bus ride and elevator access. This review is for this third option.
Access & Transport
Meeting point for the tour is at 9h20 at the Kehlstein bus departure point The Kehlsteinbus, line 849 runs from the Obersalzberg car park at the Obersalzberg Documentation Centre Address: Parking Obersalzberg, Salzbergstraße 45, 83471 Berchtesgaden The closest main city is Salzburg, Austria - 1h / 35km away across the border. Munich is 2h30 / 160km away
Instructions & Recommendations
Note that the building is closed Nov-April and that without bus ticket visitors cannot take the elevator, which is one of the main points of interest of the attraction. This activity combines well with Königssee, about 10km away.
Environmental & Social
The bus ride is short, so we deem this activity environmentally neutral. The activity helps preserve a site with some historical background and bring some tourism to the rural area during the summer season
Conclusion
The guided tour of the Eagle's Nest theoretically makes for a good activity when in the Konigssee area but it is let down by a very aggressive pricing to essentially have the right to check out and use the elevator. If the budget is not an issue, then by all means but otherwise your time and money might be better spent elsewhere in south-eastern Bavaria.
Key positive
Interesting drive and tunnel + lift combo
Nice views from the restaurant
Key negative
Very expensive tour considering the content
Suitability
The bus, restaurant and elevator are all accessible for wheelchair users
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
June 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:2h 15m
est. visit time:2h 45m
Start of Season 1:May, 12
MONDAY09:15 - 18:00
TUESDAY09:15 - 18:00
WEDNESDAY09:15 - 18:00
THURSDAY09:15 - 18:00
FRIDAY09:15 - 18:00
SATURDAY09:15 - 18:00
SUNDAY09:15 - 18:00
Start of Season 2:Nov, 01
MONDAY -
TUESDAY -
WEDNESDAY -
THURSDAY -
FRIDAY -
SATURDAY -
SUNDAY -
Max total number:6
Max number of adults:2
Min.child age:6
Max.child age:14
Price for family€65.2