The Location
Hintereck and the Kehlsteinhaus
Private cars are not allowed on the Kehlsteinstraße, and the route to the Teehaus is served by an efficient and frequent bus service operated by the RVO (Regional Vekehrs Oberbayern), which runs from the Hintereck, a point located partway up the Obersalzberg. The fleet of buses (left) have been recently redesigned, and now sport a colourful and distinctive livery. Although it is possible to reach Hintereck by car (parking costing €2.50, €1.50 for a motorcycle), it is more worthwhile parking in the town of Berchtesgaden itself - where facilities are plentiful, and in some cases, free - and taking the ride up the bright red Bergbahn (cable car) to the Hintereck terminus.
Those not wanting to take the cable car can catch the local bus (route number 9538/48) from the Post Office (Postamt) in Berchtesgaden town centre, a return ticket costing €3.70 for adults and €1.70 for children between the ages of four and twelve, while for the more hardy there is the option of the mountain walk, along clearly marked paths. On a pleasant day, a mountain hike, taking in the clean forest air, is something of a magical experience. There are two recommended paths - a one and half to two hour hike from the Ofneralm, and a longer two and a half to three hour trek from the Scharitzkehl parking area lower down the mountain.
Tickets for the half-hour bus journey to the Kehlsteinhaus are purchased at Hintereck, from the kiosk labelled "Eagle's Nest" - clearly for the benefit of the many American visitors. Costing €13.00 for adults and €7.00 for children between four and twelve, the price includes the lift up to the Teehaus and the return journey. The half-hour drive along the 6.5 kilometre long Kehlsteinstraße itself is something of a home moviemaker's delight, and there is helpful on-board commentary in German, English, French and Japanese, outlining the history of the road and its creation. On arrival, you should immediately book the time for your return journey at the little booth located near the entrance to the tunnel. If your German is good enough, you can get further information on the bus service from the RVO web site.
The first bus departs from Hintereck at 07:40, and runs every twenty-five minutes until 16:25. The last return journey from the Kehlsteinhaus parking lot is at 17:15. A stay of two to three hours should be sufficient for most visitors, but this should be extended to a good four or five if you want to take in the walk around the mountain followed by a healthy serving of traditional Bavarian fare accompanied by a half-litre of well chilled (and well-earned, if you have traversed the paths around the mountain!) Weizen at the excellent and reasonably-priced restaurant.
Contact Telephone Numbers
Hintereck Ticket Office: ++49 (0) 8652-2029
Kehlsteinhaus ++49 (0) 8652-2969