Kehlsteinhaus - the Eagle's Nest
Historic viewpoint high above Berchtesgaden- Open today
- Berchtesgaden
Kehlsteinhaus offers breathtaking panoramic views stretching up to 200 kilometers. Book your ticket online to save time when you arrive.
Tip: To make the most of your vacation, we recommend buying your ticket for the trip up to Kehlsteinhaus online. Bus capacity is limited, and buying your ticket on-site may involve a wait. The first departures on weekdays and Sundays are usually less busy.
Kehlsteinhaus stands at an elevation of 1,834 meters above Berchtesgaden. Its history is inseparably linked to Obersalzberg. Between 1933 and 1945, Obersalzberg was the Nazi dictatorship’s most important center of power outside Berlin, where decisions were made about persecution, war, and genocide.
The Eagle's Nest and its history
Built in 1937/38, what was then known as the tea house was intended to serve as a secluded venue for political representation during the Nazi era. In reality, Kehlsteinhaus played only a minor role. Hitler himself visited only rarely, primarily to receive diplomats or other foreign guests. It was used far more often by members of the Nazi entourage based at Obersalzberg for recreation and private celebrations. An exhibition by the Institute of Contemporary History on the sun terrace of Kehlsteinhaus provides an overview of its history. Historical photographs and accompanying texts trace the transformation of Obersalzberg beginning in 1933, the construction of the Kehlstein road and the Eagle's Nest, and the site’s development as a tourist destination from 1945 to the present day. Admission to the exhibition is included with your Kehlstein ticket.
Want to explore the history in greater depth? Visit the Obersalzberg Documentation Center near the departure point for the Kehlstein buses. This center for education and remembrance explores the history of Obersalzberg and the Nazi dictatorship. In addition to its permanent exhibition, it regularly offers events, public guided tours, and an extensive educational program.
The Kehlstein road and the Eagle’s Nest today
The road from Obersalzberg to the Kehlstein parking lot is unique in the world for its remarkable construction. The Kehlstein road is six and a half kilometers long, and the specially designed buses take about 15 minutes to reach Kehlstein. The road climbs an impressive 800 vertical meters with just one switchback, passing through five tunnels along the way. In winter, the Kehlstein road is closed due to the extreme risk of avalanches, when snow depths of three meters are not uncommon.
During the summer, the rock faces along the road require continuous inspections to ensure safe bus operations. In 1952, the Kehlstein road was closed to private vehicles and a public bus service to the Kehlstein parking lot was introduced. The bus departure point is located next to Dokumentation Obersalzberg and Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden.
