Hike to the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest), Hitler's former mountaintop retreat now a restaurant, for extraordinary views of the Königssee lake and Austrian Alps. Combine with the elevator tunnel entrance.
The Berchtesgaden Eagle's Nest Walk ascends to the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest) at 1,834 metres above sea level in the Berchtesgaden National Park of Bavaria, combining alpine scenery with significant 20th-century history. The Kehlsteinhaus was built in 1938 as a mountaintop retreat for Adolf Hitler and Third Reich officials; it now operates as a restaurant and is one of the most visited historical sites in Bavaria. The building and the remarkable engineering of its access road and elevator tunnel, bored 124 metres through solid rock, remain open to the public from mid-May to late October.
The starting point for the hiking route is the Obersalzberg bus terminal, reached by Berchtesgadener Land Bus services from Berchtesgaden Bahnhof (buses run regularly from May to October). Private vehicles cannot drive to the summit; the Kehlstein access road is restricted to official Kehlstein buses departing from the Kehlstein car park at approximately 825 m. The hike from the Obersalzberg area gains approximately 500 metres over 6 km round trip.
The trail follows the Kehlsteinstrasse road alignment on a paved and gravel path through alpine meadows and mixed forest. The surface is well-maintained gravel throughout, with wooden boardwalks on steeper meadow sections. The path emerges onto an exposed alpine ridge below the summit pyramid; wind can be significant on this upper section. From the mountain bus drop-off point, a 124-metre tunnel leads to the original brass elevator that ascends the final 124 metres to the Kehlsteinhaus restaurant.
The summit offers views of the Königssee lake (1,602 m below in the valley), the Watzmann massif, and the Austrian Alps including the Dachstein glacier on clear days. The restaurant at the Kehlsteinhaus is open during operating hours and serves Bavarian food and beer. No natural water sources exist on the trail; carry at least one litre from Berchtesgaden.
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Berchtesgaden, Bavaria
- Best season
- Mid-May to late October (site is closed in winter); June to September for best clear-weather summit views
Highlights
- Eagle's Nest views
- Königssee panoramas
- Austrian Alps backdrop
- Berchtesgaden valley vistas
Tips for visiting
- Book Kehlstein bus tickets online through the Berchtesgadener Land Bus website as capacity is limited, especially on summer weekends in July and August.
- Summit views of Königssee and the Watzmann are completely obscured by cloud on many days; check the local Berchtesgaden weather forecast the morning before visiting.
- Combine the walk with a visit to the Berchtesgaden Documentation Centre on Obersalzberg for historical context about the site's Third Reich history.
- Arrive at the bus terminal early — the Kehlsteinhaus elevator operates a one-way queuing system and waits can exceed 45 minutes on peak summer days.
- The trail from Obersalzberg to the Kehlstein bus terminus can be walked on the road alignment in approximately 2.5 hours on fine days, bypassing the bus entirely.
- The Eagle's Nest closes in late October; check the official Kehlsteinhaus website for exact seasonal opening and closing dates before planning a visit.
When to visit
Clear weather is essential for summit views, and mornings before noon tend to offer the best visibility before afternoon cloud builds over the Berchtesgaden Alps. Mid-June to mid-September is the most reliable window, with weekday visits strongly recommended to avoid peak summer queues at the elevator.
Accessibility
The Eagle's Nest Walk trail from Obersalzberg is not accessible to wheelchair users due to gravel surfaces and gradient. However, the official Kehlstein bus service transports visitors with mobility restrictions directly to the tunnel entrance, and the original 1938 brass elevator inside the mountain can accommodate wheelchair users, making the Kehlsteinhaus restaurant and summit viewpoint accessible to visitors with mobility limitations. Contact the Berchtesgaden Documentation Centre for specific access arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kehlsteinhaus open year-round?
The Kehlsteinhaus is open seasonally from approximately mid-May to late October, weather permitting. It is closed in winter when the summit access road is snow-covered and the site is inaccessible on foot. Exact opening dates vary slightly each year.
Can hikers drive to the Eagle's Nest?
Private vehicles are not permitted on the Kehlsteinstrasse above the Kehlstein car park. The official Kehlstein bus service is the only motorised access to the upper tunnel terminus; tickets should be booked in advance online or purchased at the Berchtesgaden Documentation Centre.
What is the historical significance of the Kehlsteinhaus?
The Kehlsteinhaus was built in 1938 as a 50th birthday gift for Adolf Hitler from the Nazi Party and was used by senior Third Reich officials for meetings and entertainment. Hitler himself visited only about 14 times. The building survived the war intact and has operated as a public restaurant since 1952.
Is the walk suitable for children?
The walk from Obersalzberg on gravel paths with moderate gradients is suitable for children comfortable hiking for 3–4 hours. The brass elevator inside the mountain is a particular highlight. Very young children in pushchairs cannot manage the trail itself; the Kehlstein bus to the tunnel entrance is the practical alternative.
Is the Watzmann visible from the Eagle's Nest?
On clear days, the Watzmann (2,713 m), the third highest mountain in Germany, is visible to the southwest from the Kehlsteinhaus. The Königssee lake directly below and the Austrian Dachstein glacier are also visible in good conditions.