Awaking without a stomach ache after the previous night’s pizza seemed like a good omen. Taking a peek outside, it was wet and misty, but no rain. Also a good sign.

As everyone in the group was heading to the Eagle’s Nest together, the dining room for breakfast was pretty busy. I was the first one out of the group and grabbed a table. This hotel, like some of the others, catered for the British traveller – they had the usual European stock of cheese and tea and bacon.

A minor disaster unfolded when one of the coffee machines packed in, and the queue of irate brits grew exponentially quickly, but I’d already grabbed a drink, so luckily didn’t get caught up in it.

The lads came down, and we ate and chatted as more of the group came and moved some food around their plates, and then it was time to head out. Ben marshalled us to our cars, and the entire group went out simultaneously, which was quite a sight.

Alas, we were soon split up as we hit T junctions and giveaways, and while the roads on the way to Eagles Nest were nice, some of them had roadworks on, which scuppered opening the throttle up.

We soon left the main road and headed up to the Eagle’s Nest car park. It didn’t look big, and we barely got a car parking spec. The Nest visits are restricted by time, so you book a time up and are given time to come down. I’d wondered how you got to the top of the mountain – on Google Maps; people had taken photos of the road up, so I’d assumed you could walk it. This is partially true, there is a trail you can take, but the main road is only used by specially modified tour buses. I assume the photos from Google were taken when the place is closed or early morning.

I’d donned my specially made Eagles Nest Tour T-shirt for the day, only to be told to “pay some respect” by a random German fella. Rather than getting into a shouting match with him, I just zipped up my coat. I assume the fool had thought it was a “Reichsadler” when in fact it was just an eagle. It’s funny how those who denounce political parties with no tolerance also show the same intolerance. Still, you can make up your own mind.

Here’s the history bit:

Perched atop the Kehlstein mountain, the Eagle’s Nest (or Kehlsteinehaus in German) is an extraordinary historical site within the Bavarian Alps. Situated near the quaint town of Berchtesgaden in Germany, this magnificent structure is a testament to the region’s natural beauty and its tumultuous past. With its impressive elevation of 1,834 metres, the Eagle’s Nest offers stunning panoramic views that stretch across the picturesque valleys and rugged mountain peaks.

Constructed in 1938 as a 50th birthday gift for Adolf Hitler, the Eagle’s Nest was originally intended as a retreat and meeting place for the Nazi Party’s inner circle. Remarkably, despite the devastation of World War II, this architectural marvel remains largely intact, boasting several intricate features, such as its original brass elevator, which ascends through the mountain itself. Today, the Eagle’s Nest serves as a poignant reminder of history while functioning as a popular tourist attraction and restaurant. Visitors can immerse themselves in the site’s rich historical significance while enjoying the breathtaking views and delicious Bavarian cuisine.

To reach this fascinating destination, one must traverse the Kehlsteinstrasse, a winding 6.5-kilometre road carved through the mountain, which adds to the overall experience. The road considered a masterful feat of engineering, was completed in just 13 months – a testament to the determination and skill of the workers involved. By exploring the Eagle’s Nest and its surroundings, you have the opportunity to step back in time and appreciate the extraordinary beauty of the Bavarian Alps. Don’t miss the chance to visit this truly unique and captivating historical site.

Now we’ve got the history bit done… The Eagle’s Nest is an impressive building. And the views when you get outside are just astounding. Snow-capped mountains, pine trees and snow. All wrapped up with fresh air and solid architecture. I’d not considered the altitude, though, and we’d be above the snow line.

I can categorically say that wearing Vans trainers was a disaster, as the entire place was covered in snow and ice. I slipped and slid my up behind the Eagles Nest to take some photos. This took about 20 minutes as I had my camera and didn’t fancy dropping it. It was worth the effort, though; the path led up some equally icy rocks and to some nice vantage points.

By now, I’d lost the boys, and my automatic homing beacon had decided to have a whistle-stop tour of the inside (including the red marble fireplace) and get some coffee outside. The inside is well worth a look, though, and if the weather were bad, it would have been essential. I ordered a drink, and soon enough, as if by magic, Dave, Mark and John materialised, also needing coffee.

In true British style, we completely disregarded the time we were meant to leave as we appreciated the views and consumed caffeine. This apparently was quite annoying to the bus driver, but his options on the resolution were to leave us up there or take us back down and grumble about it. He opted for the latter.

John’s feedback in the Eagle’s Nest wasn’t very good. But I really enjoyed it. It’s about a solid bit of history as you can get, it’s a bit different and they have good coffee with fast and friendly service.

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Pictures by ExperiencePhotography.co.uk unless otherwise stated.

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