America's Independence day 2016 we celebrated on the top of Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) at 1843 meters in Germany, ironic. We parked at the Document Center and took the bus ride up to Berchtesgaden. The windy lane up to the peak from the Obersalzberg is steep with high cliffs and drop-offs, the buses that make this trip many times per day are specifically equipped for this route. The great difference in elevation is reached with only one turn. An alternative route is to walk up the path that is close to the bus road but has switchbacks that makes the climb easier. I did read that this walk to the top would take 2-3 hours and we did not have time in the day to complete that.
The bus drops us off at the next landing right below the Eagle's Nest and a hand blasted tunnel, 124 meters/ 406 feet long, takes you through the mountainside to an ornate elevator lined with shiny brass. In just 41 seconds you are transported another 124 meters up through the mountain and into the building itself. Once on top there is stunning views of the valley below. You can see Konigsee Lake from the top.
Its construction ordered by Martin Bormann, the so-called Eagle's Nest teahouse was offered to Adolf Hitler for his 50th Birthday with the aim of using it for representation purposes for official guests. teh challenging construction of the Eagle's Nest was completed in just 13 months including the road, Germany's highest. Hitler himself seldom visited the Eagle's Nest, due to his fear of heights. After the war, the Eagle's Nest was spared being blown up thanks to the local governor at the time.
Today the Eagle's Nest is open to the public and can be seen in its original form. Since 1960 it has been in the hands of the Berchtesgaden tourist board and leased out as a mountain top restaurant.
After our tour of the Eagle's Nest we went to the town of Konigssee Seelande right on the Lake to have dinner. We missed the last boat ride out to the remote island on the lake but still had a great evening spent with amazing views and great company. Mike and Sam actually took a picture with this gorgeous backdrop for their Baby Jones Announcement!
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