Obersalzberg
Berchtesgaden, Germany, 83471
The mountainside retreat of Obersalzberg—located above the town of Berchtesgaden on the Bavarian-Austrian Border—is famous for being Hitler’s mountain headquarters, where high-level Nazi Party meetings were held. Hitler’s mansion was called the Berghof, and he also owned the nearby Eagle’s Nest building, now a restaurant.
The basics
Guided bus tours with a World War II focus typically showcase a shortlist of sights in and around Obersalzberg—including the Eagle’s Nest and the Dokumentation Obersalzberg museum with its vast bunker system. This combination of sights is a popular day trip from Munich, Salzburg, or the nearby town of Berchtesgaden. Obersalzberg is also the launch point for independent travelers to catch a specially-modified bus to ride the steep hill to the Eagle’s Nest.
Things to know before you go
If you want to get to the Eagle’s Nest from Obersalzburg, you can’t drive in a private vehicle as the road is too dangerous. It can only be reached on a specially-modified bus or by a strenuous 3-hour uphill hike.
The bus from Obersalzberg to the Eagle’s Nest has a wheelchair ramp, and staff can assist wheelchair users with boarding.
The bus stop to take you to the Eagle’s Nest (Kehlstein Busabfahrt) is in Obersalzberg, close to the Dokumentation Obersalzberg museum.
If you visit outside of summer, it can get chilly in the mountains, so be sure to bring layers and walking shoes.
How to get there
Located high up in the Bavarian Alps, the easiest way to get to Obersalzberg is on a guided bus trip with a driver familiar with the steep mountain roads. Obersalzberg is a convenient day trip option from Berchtesgaden as it’s only a 10-minute drive. It’s also roughly a 1-hour drive from Salzburg and a 2-hour drive from Munich.
When to get there
The winters in Bavaria can be very harsh, with snowfall and icy roads, so the area is best visited during summer. For trips to the Eagle’s Nest, please note that the site is only accessible from May through October. If visiting the Eagle’s Nest in July or August, booking a table in advance is advisable as it can get very busy.
The Eagle’s Nest today
The mountain lodge of the Eagle’s Nest (known in Germany as Kehlsteinhaus) was given to Hitler as a gift for his 50th birthday, and members of the Nazi Party used it for meetings and social occasions. The original building is still standing, but a charitable trust has since acquired it, and it now acts as a restaurant and beer garden that offers traditional cuisine and spectacular mountain views.
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