Berchtesgaden and surrounding area

[haydw]

Have got a week in Austria coming up - stopping near Berchesgaden. According to friends of Mrs Haydw that have been to the area, there are certain attractions around and about (the Eagles nest, the ice caves etc) that are extremely busy during the tourist season and it is usually best if tickets are bought in advance instead of just turning up on spec for the next tour.

Is there any truth in this?? Can I just turn up and go on a tour when I feel like it??

 

[The Grey One]

Geographically Challanged?

Hi

Being a pedant I would just like to point out that Berchtesgarden is in Germany not Austria. We are 2 hours from the Eagles Nest, have been ourselves and a lot of our guests go there. We went last in the middle of August 2009, just turn up there is no need to book. Access is by bus and the last bus goes up at 4pm.

The Ice Caves are in Austria,can be busy if the weather is bad, but otherwise should be no problem.

If you get the chance come down and see us the roads (B159 and then B99)are superb and there might just be a beer waiting for you

John

 

[AndyT]

Whilst near the Ice caves you should vist Werfren Castle made famous in the Film "Where Eagles Dare". They have the best Falconry display I have ever seen there and with the back drop of the mountains its just superb.

I also recomend you go down the Salt mines near Berchestgarden at a small town called Bad Durnberg, I went with my son and we really enjoyed it. Also at BAd Durnberg is one of the longest SommerRoddelBarnes in Germany- these are toboggan runs but on tracks....brilliant fun. This is me and my lad going down about 4 years ago.....

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[Freddog]

Hi haydw
I went across to Berchtesgaden on a whim last summer and walked straight in. Admittedly the car parks were pretty full but we drove 500m past towards the Intercontinental Hotel and found loads of free spaces.

If you're going because of it's more recent history I'd recommend getting there early and visiting the official museum and then going up to the Eagles Nest proper (we ran out of time one we'd been in the tunnels).

We also found that if you want to see the Berghof and surroundings you'll not be surprised to see that nearly all traces have been removed (SS barracks are not a pond! It could be worth visiting the following site (http://www.thirdreichruins.com) who have loads of pics and info before you go.

Personally thought the place was hugely interesting and intend to go back with more prep in advance. Annoyed that I've served over here since the late 80's and never went when the yanks had a R&R hotel there!! Fred

 

[ricardo]

Went last year, but given the number of people and time for buses etc, we decided our time was better soent riding the Deutshe Alpenstrasse. Good road.

 

[sven]

We're stopping in Kaprun for four nights on our bike tour in August and are planning on visiting Berchtesgarden, so these tips are very useful

Bad Duerrnberg is near the Rossfeld Ringstrasse scenic drive, so we'll have to give the SommerRoddelBarnes a go whilst we're there if it's sunny

Werfen castle looks interesting too http://www.salzburg-burgen.at/en/werfen/

 

[bsogri]

good places

Halstad is a greta place to stay near there with saltmines a lake and it is a world heritage site as well,
hitler supposedly sunk his treasures in the lake here.

 

[sven]

The crowds at the bus station for the Eagles Nest were horrendous when we went a couple of weeks ago, so we just had lunch and then rode the Rossfeld Ringstrasse scenic drive before heading back to ride the Grossglockner road in the sun (instead of low cloud and snow the day before).

I'd highly recommend the Rossfeld Ringstrasse, although it's only about 8 miles long, so doesn't take long even with lots of photo stops. The Grossglockner is a must though as it is without a doubt the best pass in the Alps, both in terms of riding and scenery

 

[Ropey]

Halstad is a greta place to stay near there with saltmines a lake and it is a world heritage site as well,
hitler supposedly sunk his treasures in the lake here.

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Was in Hallstat in May this year... Terrific spot.... Stayed at Gausthaus Braugasthof and can't recommend it enough. 30eur a night single rate and parking outside the front door. Restaurant not too shabby either....

 

[wadham]

Eagles nest first bus is 0920.

Get there before 0900 and beat the coaches, buy your ticket, get up there and book your down bus (which you have to do) for about an hour later.

The building is not much to see and you cannot get in unless you have booked a meal nowadays.

The views are great and better with a pair of binoculars.

When you leave you will be shocked by the numbers of people queuing to get up there.

Ice caves are excellent.

Durnsberg Rondlebahn is also excellent with as expected a decent cafe at the top of the cable car before you fly down.

The Panorama strasse is a nice drive and gives good views of Kehlsteinhaus (Eagles nest) and Salzburg.

Plenty to do in this area if you stop for a few days.

 

[haydw]

Went to the eagles nest ony my hols back at the end of June. Went midweek- the queues were not that bad.

The advice was correct about going to the museum first- wish I had remembered that bit. Discovered it too late and never got to see it all before the place shut for the day.

The Grossglockner is well worth the trip- including the road up to the Eidelweispitze.

Another road easily worth doing is just off the Gerlos pass- the Zillerteller hohenstrasse. Its not marked that well, but boy, what a road. Makes Hardknott pass look like a piece of cake.

Was loads to see around there and in 4 days we never saw it all. Its one of those places you can go back to and see something different every trip.