Berchtesgaden is best known for Hitler’s infamous “Eagle’s Nest.” But this site was hardly visited by the Führer and there is much more to this small German town in the Alps.
Berchtesgaden Location
Located in the Berchtesgadenerland National Park , this is a sports traveler’s paradise. Although only 9,000 people call Berchtesgaden home year-round, visitors flock to this southeastern corner of Bavaria year-round.
It sits in a valley at 6,000 feet and is surrounded by Austria on three sides, as if the gods had gently hidden it in the mountainous landscape. There is Untersberg to the north, Obersalzberg to the east and Watzmann to the south. It is only 30 km south of Salzburg and 180 km south-east of the Bavarian capital Munich.
Transport to Berchtesgaden
By plane
The closest airports are in Salzburg (20 km) and Munich (190 km).
By train
Berchtesgaden has its own train station easily connected to Salzburg, Munich, Frankfurt and the rest of Germany and Europe.
By car
Driving from Munich: Take the A8 towards Salzburg. Exit at Bad Reichenhall / Salzburg Süd and follow the signs for Berchtesgaden before the Austrian border. (Make sure you have adequate tires and snow equipment for travel between October and April.)
What to do in Berchtesgaden, Germany
Visit Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest
Most visitors come to Berchtesgaden to see Kehlsteinhaus , better known as the Eagle’s Nest. This 1,834-meter (6,017-foot) perch offers panoramic views of the surrounding Alps, but most people want to see where Hitler stepped … no matter how briefly.
This outpost was a gift to Adolf Hitler on his 50th birthday in 1939. Construction was difficult due to its location and includes the steepest road in Germany, which is still closed for much of the year. An elevator inside the mountain, powered by the same engine as a German submarine, climbs 400 feet to the top. Lavish decor like a red Mussolini marble fireplace made this remote site perfect for receiving official state guests. Too bad Hitler’s fear of heights and claustrophobia prevented him from visiting more than a few times.
When the Allies stormed Europe, Kehlsteinhaus was a big catch. It was narrowly spared from bombing and although it was looted for artifacts, it still looks a lot like how it did during the rule of the Third Reich.
The Bavarian State took over management in 1960 and opened the Eagle’s Nest to the public with the proceeds donated to charity. There is little mention of its former owner on-site and visitors can enjoy the beer garden and restaurant without thinking of its WWII history.
Please note that access to the Eagle’s Nest depends on the weather, so it is usually closed from mid-September to the end of May. Check website for current hours.
Delve into the history of WWII
For people who want to hear all about the past, a guided tour takes visitors back in time. The Obersalzberg Documentation Center does not shy away from the horrors of the Nazi party.
Visitors view the site of Hitler’s royal house in Bavaria, Berghof . Located at the foot of the mountains, this mansion complex was surrounded by the homes of his followers. He spent more time here than anywhere else, including his Berlin headquarters.
It was heavily bombed at the end of the war and was set on fire by the SS after learning of Hitler’s suicide. The allies looted the property and in 1952 the Bavarian government decided to finish it by demolishing the structure.
What remains is the underground bunker system. These extensive tunnels deep in the mountain acted as tunnels, bomb shelter, party venue, and a safe room for leading Nazi members.
To get to the Documentation Center in Obersalzberg, bus 838 leaves every hour from Berchtesgaden train station. Admission € 3; Hours from April to October from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day / from November to March from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday.
Find the murals in the old town
The town of Berchtesgaden was formed around the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, built in 1102. The town grew and by 1500 there was a bustling marktplatz (market square) with a farmers market held every Friday at from 8:00 to noon. The tower of the Hirschenhaus (House of the Deer) punctuates the horizon backed by Alp, but visitors should keep their eyes at street level.
The altstadt (old town) is beautifully adorned with intricate murals. Known as lüftlmalerei (Bavarian frescoes), Berchtesgaden has the oldest non-religious murals in the Bavarian Alps. The 1610 Monkey Facade in the Hirschenhaus looks like a historical scene when you go back, but a closer look shows that the townspeople have monkey faces. According to a local historian, this unusual piece of art was made to annoy customers who would not pay.
Another Lüftlmalerei of note is the monument to the Bavarian soldiers of the two world wars near the Royal Palace.
Slide down a salt mine
Berchtesgaden owes its wealth to the salt mines of more than 500 years. It has been in continuous operation since 1517 and is now open to visitors.
Guided tours take guests through the 6,000-square-meter underground complex and cover the history of its “white gold.” Put on your overalls and board a train to explore the mines filled with industrial equipment. Fr the child within us all, slide down the giant wooden slides and find a mirror lake 150 meters below the surface. Periodic laser light shows electrify the caves for special events. Tours last one hour and tickets cost € 16.50. Dress warmly with sturdy shoes as the mine maintains a 12 degree climate in summer or winter
If you need a little pampering after your visit, the salt mines also have a salt-themed spa to ease your aches and pains.
Explore a UNESCO biosphere
The city is centered in the heart of the Berchtesgaden National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The park borders Austria and is centered on Königsee.
In addition to epic views, the park features some of the best hiking in Germany. Start on the 1-mile trail from St Bartholomä’s church in Königssee and head to Watzmann-Ostwand. The park’s tourist office offers maps and advice on the best trails.
Ferry across the deepest lake in the Alps
Königssee is a picturesque emerald lake with a reputation for being the cleanest lake in Germany. Only electric motor boats can part its calm waters, occasionally interrupted by the musical trumpets of the ship’s horns. It is the deepest lake in the Alps with depths of up to 630 feet and fits the name “King’s Lake.”
As you tour the lake, look for the Iglesia de San Bartolomé. Once used as a hunting lodge for the Bavarian kings, it is one of the most photographed places in Germany. Get off the ferry and walk to the Capilla de Hielo, a glacier with a natural cave. Or continue to Salet and walk 15 minutes to Obersee and the impressive Röthbach waterfall, the highest waterfall in Germany.
The lake is only 3 km from the city and a short bus ride takes you to the water. Return ferry tickets cost € 10.50 – 17.80 (depending on destination) for adults, € 7.90 for children over 6 years old and family tickets available.
Pretend you’re an olympic sled
Try saying Bobbahn . It’s fun. Almost as fun as the sled itself.
This venue is fit for champion runners and allows breathless fans to see the best of the best. It is one of the first tracks of its kind and is still one of the most technically demanding tracks.
Once the pros go down, the amateurs go up. Rennbob-Taxi allows you to pretend for a few precious seconds that you are an Olympian. The sleds reach speeds of 80 miles per hour with an experienced pilot at the wheel. Tours are available on specific weekends throughout winter (mid-October to late February)
Skiing the alps
Berchtesgaden is an ideal base for a ski holiday. The best peaks for the descent:
- Ski am Obersalzberg – Beginners
- Götschen
- Rossfeld
- Jenner – Advanced
Cross-country skiing is also popular on routes around the Berchtesgaden Alps. The season generally begins in late January.
Run through the Alps in the sun
If you arrive in the summer, you can still run through the mountains. The Sommerrodelbahn (summer toboggan) offers 2,000 feet of twists and turns over Berchtesgaden. Accelerating sights pass as you travel at breakneck speeds to the bottom.
Children are allowed with one adult passenger and are free up to 6 years. The track is open from April to November (barring bad weather) and a single ride costs just € 2.50.
Stay on the highest mountain in Germany
Rising behind the city, Watzmann Mountain dominates the landscape. It reaches an impressive 8,900 feet, making it the third highest peak in Germany (below Hochwanner and Zugspitze). It is the highest mountain completely located in Germany (the others share its position with Austria).
The historic Watzmannhaus Hotel offers accommodation for up to 200 guests per night. It was built in 1888 and is one of the tallest hotels in Europe at 6,332 feet (1,930 meters) above sea level.
Ride a cable car
The Jennerbahn cable car gracefully takes two travelers to the top of the mountains at once. From here you can see more than 100 German and Austrian peaks, or gaze out at Königssee on one side and Salzburg on the other.
There are two stops along the Jennerbahn. The halfway point at almost 4,000 feet is parallel to the flying paragliders. At the top, Bergstation, enjoy your position on top of the world. Follow well-marked trails around the mountain.
Currently, a new gondola for 6 and 10 people is being built.
