German Alpine road
 

We are planning to drive the German Alpine road from Berchtesgaden toward Lindau (with possibly a detour down to Innsbruck) in mid April. One of our highlights was to have been a visit to the Eagles nest, which we now find is closed until May. This has now worried us as to the state of the roads on the Alpinstrasse at this time of year.... opinions please

Hi,

We've been only once in April (the last week of April in '05), and had no trouble getting around by car. While there was snow on the mountains and along the Jaufen Pass (south of Innsbruck into Italy), we encountered no snow or weather (temps) that even made us think it would snow. Weather is unpredictable, but if it were my trip, I wouldn't be too concerned about snow. I do remember one night it rained while in Hall in Tirol (near Innsbruck). Rained all evening and night. We awoke to beautiful snow covered mountians, but none where we were (lower elevation).

Just curious, are there particular sights along this route you want to see? I can only comment on the part we drove, from Chiemsee to Berchtesgaden (reverse of your direction) and we found it to be mostly unremarkable. A few cute villages, but they're pretty much found everywhere. I do like driving the segment between Berchtesgaden and Inzell for scenery. Driven this many times, as we've stayed by Berchtesgaden 4 times (10/06, 10/07, 9/09 and 11/10). During our stay in late Nov. '10 we had 4 days with some snow, but driving was still easy as roads were cleared quickly.

If you do detour to Innsbruck, the Nordkettenbahn is a fantastic cable car trip. Keep in mind that according to the website, it's closed from April 8, 2013 to April 12, 2013.

www.nordkette.com/en

If interested, we have plenty of photo's at:

www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/index.html

Paul

No need to worry. The Alpenstrassen are a network of regular highways chosen because of the scenerythrough which they are going. They are well maintained and except for a possible freak storm will be clear of snow by the time of your travel. And even if there should be a vfreak stgoirm, by that time the roads will be calr within hours.

The reason why the Eagles Nest (its actual name is Kehlsteinhouse) is closed during the winter is the fact that thlast stretch of the road from the Obersalzberg parking lot is very steep,oneway and requires special busse with particularly safe brake.

If you want to have a view almost identical to what you would see from the Kehlsteinhaus, take the bus or drive from the Berchtesgaden Bahnhof (railrod station) toward the Konmigsee Lake, and at the parking lot just before you get to the lake, take the Jenner gondola lift from the Jenner Bergbahn Talstation. I prefer it over the super touristy Eagles Nest. There are a nice restaurant at the top of the mountain, and nice, easy hiking paths.

Hi again,

I would have also mentioned the Jennerbahn, but it will be closed from 4/8/13 until 4/26/13.

www.jennerbahn.de/de/betriebszeiten/

Betriebszeiten=operating hours
FrühjahrsREVISION= spring revision (repairs)

Darn it! Wouldn't you know it.

Thank you Paul and treplow, you have bee very helpful.
And Paul, we are going only because we have been told it is beautiful and were planning to drive the whole way from Berchtesgaden to Lindau, but sounds like it is all pretty similar with the bit from Berchtesgaden rto Reitim WInkel the prettiest.
We will be driving from Salzburg mid afternoon and wondering if we need to stay, or put aside a few hours for Berchtesgaden (is there much to see there? There are differing opinions), or just go straight to Inzell for the night.
Gayle

If you don't plan to visit Herrenchiemsee palace you can use the shortcut (and more scenic route) from Reit im Winkl to Kufstein thru northern Austria (roads 172/175 on the map), and further on via Thiersee back into Bavaria. And catch the Alpine Road again in Bayrischzell.

If you are going to Lindau, don't miss the sub-tropical gardens at Mainau:

http://www.mainau.de/open-rates.html

they open on March 23rd!

Hi Gayle,

Concerning where to stop and stay for the night after leaving Salzburg, Berchtesgaden is less than 30 minutes drive from Salzburg. I personally like Berchtesgaden, but there's no real need to stop here or stay for the night, especially after driving less than 30 minutes.

I would make a short stop to see the church in Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden. Leaving Salzburg, be sure to be on the B150 heading towards Berchtesgaden. At Berchtesgaden you'll be driving the B305 and when you enter Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, make a left turn at Niedermayer's Bakery.

www.dorfbaeckerei.de

The church is just down the street. You can park on the stream side (left side) to visit and take a few photo's. There are wooden footbridges over the stream with good vantage points for photo ops. There is a small general/grocery store in Ramsau called "Nah & Gut" for snacks, drinks, etc.

www.worldisround.com/articles/338872/photo2.html

a) Berchtesgaden itself is nice, but no real need to stop and see it.
b) The Konigsee is very scenic, but the boat trip takes quite a bit of time.
c) Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden is a tiny village and outside of the church and scenic setting, no need to spend more than 30 minutes.

IF you have the time and wanted to add an hour (give or take) to the drive, you could take a more scenic route for the Salzburg to Berchtesgaden segment. From Salzburg take the B150 to B159 towards Hallein, Austria. Take the turn off for B319/Oberau/Unterau/Berchtesgaden.
At Unterau, you could also take the road in the direction of Obersalzburg and from there head down into Berchtesgaden and continue on the B305 to Ramsau to Inzell, etc.

I don't know why you picked Inzell as a place to stay, but Reit im Winkl is just 15 miles further from Inzell. Between these two, I'd go with Reit im Winkl.

Paul

Thanks heaps for that Paul.
As it turns out, I have booked a night near Lake Konigssee for the night, instead of Inzell.
Depending on the time we get away from Salzburg, your "scenic route to Berchtesgaden sounds great and we will probably do that. :)

Hi Paul
I have tried to look up Unterau, but all the maps say it is over near Linz???

Not near Linz, but between Hallein, Austria and Berchtesgaden.

Hi,

Go to:
www.viamichelin.com

Under "driving directions":
From - Salzburg
To - Berchtesgaden

+ Add a destination:
Stopover 1 - Hallein, Austria

Press "Get Directions"

Paul

thanks paul