Last Updated on May 30, 2024 by Deanne
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The Jennerbahn in Germany’s Bavarian Alps is a super scenic cable car ride taking people to great heights atop Jenner Mountain. Jenner Mountain stands over 6,100 feet tall and is part of the Göll massif spanning the border of Bavaria and Austria. Spectacular and unparalleled views of mountains, valleys, lakes, towns, and trails await you at the top of this majestic mountain making the Jennerbahn one adventure not to miss.
As an added bonus… after exploring the stunning mountain summit and riding the Jennerbahn back down, it’s an easy walk to the famed Königssee, or King’s Lake.
(Read our 1-day itinerary to Berchtesgaden’s Obersee and Königssee, including a ride up the Jennerbahn.)
Jennerbahn basics
Getting there
Located in the town of Schönau am Königssee inside Berchtesgaden National Park, the Jennerbahn is an easy day trip from Munich or Salzburg, Austria.
It’s easy to access the town of Schönau am Königssee and the Jennerbahn by driving. From Munich, it takes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes one way. If you’re traveling from Salzburg, it’s only a 35-minute drive. Driving is our recommended way to travel to this part of Germany. Having your own car provides you the freedom to come and go at your own pace and allows you to easily travel to other parts of Berchtesgaden’s attractions.
If you don’t have a car, public transportation will get you to the Jennerbahn, too, but it will be a lot longer – especially from Munich. From Munich you’ll need to take a train with a transfer and then hop on a bus. Total one-way travel time will be close to 3-1/2 hours. From Salzburg, it will take about an hour via bus with a transfer. Most trains and busses get you to the town of Berchtesgaden and that’s where you need to hop on another bus to reach Schönau am Königsee.
Parking
If driving by car, parking is convenient as there is a big lot. It’s the same parking lot people use for the Königsee boat tour. You will need to prepay at this lot, so estimate how long you think you’ll be – and then add some more time! This area of Bavaria is stunning. You will be surprised how much time it takes you to soak it all in. And you don’t want to be surprised by a parking ticket on your car when you return. (Trust us, we speak from experience.)
Tickets
Tickets for the Jennerbahn are pricey, but worth it. For one adult the cost is €38. You can order your Jennerbahn tickets online or buy them at the ticket booth when you arrive. We rode the Jennerbahn on a clear sunny afternoon in early August and there was surprisingly no wait to buy tickets. I don’t know if that is the norm, however, so you may want to order tickets online just to be safe.
Cable car
The Jennerbahn was recently renovated with modern and comfortable cable cars. The large, roomy cars provide a safe and enjoyable 20-minute ride up the mountain looking out at the incredible landscape passing you by. If you want to hike part way up or down the mountain, you can exit at the middle station. Otherwise take the cable car all the way to the top.
Jennerbahn webcam
To see the weather conditions and views from the top of Jenner Mountain, check out the Jennerbahn webcam.
At the top of the Jennerbahn
When you arrive at the top of the Jennerbahn, you will exit onto a terrace with a restaurant and dramatic overlooks. The restaurant, Jenneralm, provides indoor and outdoor seating with a menu of Bavarian cuisine, beer, and cocktails. But the real specialty is the dramatic scenery surrounding you.
Take some time to snap pictures and bask in the beauty, but then peel yourself away from the overlooks to continue hiking to the summit for the ultimate panorama.
The hike to the summit is short, but steep, including many steps on the paved, narrow trail. It can get very crowded, but it only takes about 10-15 minutes to reach the top, so it’s worth it.
If the short but steep hike didn’t take your breath away, the views from the majestic mountain summit certainly will. The unparalleled panorama includes views of the long, narrow lake Königssee, the Watzmann (3rd highest mountain in Germany), and trails snaking down to the valley and towns below.
Every direction will leave you in awe with your jaw dropped open. Relish awhile and savor the spectacular sights before heading back down to catch the return Jennerbahn trip. Plan on 1-1/2 to 2 hours for the entire Jennerbahn experience depending on if you take the time for a meal at the top.
But the exquisite sights don’t stop at the bottom of the Jennerbahn. Make a day of exploring other parts of Berchtesgaden National Park. Hike around the emerald-green lakes of Obersee and Königssee. Tour Hitler’s mountain residence- Eagle’s Nest (this Eagles Nest private tour can pick you up and transport you from Berchtesgaden). Visit St. Sebastian Church in Ramsau. And, explore many other scenic hiking trails throughout the park.
Hello!
Can one ride the Jennerbahn and tour the Eagle’s Nest in one day, if leaving from and returning to Salzburg?
Please advise, thanks,
Coleen
Hi Coleen, Yes you can easily fit the Jennerbahn and Eagle’s Nest in one day. Plan for more time at Eagle’s Nest – you have to take a special bus up the mountain and there can be a long wait. Plus, depending how busy it is, there may be a wait for the elevator and for the return bus back down the mountain, too. Plan a minimum of 2-3 hours at Eagle’s Nest. At the Jennerbahn, plan for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours. (Just an FYI – both of these experiences require a clear day… not worth doing if it’s foggy.)
I worked at Hotel General Walker in 1966.Did a day trip on the lake and cabelcar up the Jenner.They we’re holding the trials for the winter Olympics.I always remember it.amazibg.
Wow, great memories! It’s such a beautiful place – and to be able to watch the Olympic trials sounds so fun! Thanks for the comment.
Thank you for all the details about these beautiful places. We will be traveling next month from Munich by train for a one day trip to Berchestgaden. We would like to go on the boat ride on the Konigsee, take the cable car up on the Jennerbahn and go to the Documentation Museum. Do you think this is possible to do in one day? The museum is open from 10-3. Thank you for your help!!
Hi Marleeta, Yes, those three things are able to be done in a day as long as you get an early start and carefully plan the timing of everything. A couple things to note: It looks like the Königssee ferry only goes as far as St. Bartholomew and back (and not all the way to Salet) during the 2024 Spring season – if I’m reading their website correctly. It will still be worth it, but just so you’re aware. Also, according to the Jennerbahn website, the Jennerbahn will be closed from March 4 – March 22, 2024 for maintenance. I don’t know the day you were planning to visit, so I’m not sure if you’ll be impacted by that. Either way, I hope you have a great time in Berchtesgaden!
We are traveling June 20 from Salzburg, using public transportation. Plan to do the boat ride to Salet with hike to Obersee and Fischunkelalm. Then take the jennerbaum up to the summit and hopefully squeeze in the salt mine tour after. Is this doable or will the salt mine have to be scratched? I believe the last bus back to Salzburg from the mine is 6:15? Is that correct?
Hi, You might be able to squeeze that all in but it will be tight. Figure a little under 4 hours for the entire Königssee boat ride and hike to Obersee and back. The Jennerbahn experience will take roughly 1.5-2 hours. You’ll need to take time for lunch at some point. And allow 1.5 hours for the salt mine. I’m not familiar with the public transportation schedule, so I’m not sure how long it takes to go from the Jennerbahn to the salt mine. Or what time the last bus is to Salzburg. Once you plug in the transportation times you can see if there’s enough time to do it all, or if you need to drop the salt mine from your itinerary. Either way I hope you have fun!
Hi, thank you so much for the tips and useful information. We were hoping to take a taxi from Salzburg to Königssee lake and then visit the Jennerbahn around Sept 20, this year. How long does it take to get from Königssee to Jennerbahn and what is the best mode of transportation. We are not renting a car. Is it possible to take a taxi? There is 5 adults and a 2 year old in our group.
Also, would it be possible to fit Eagle’s nest with the above plans, all in one day?
Thank you for your help.
Hi Marcela, The Jennerbahn and Königssee are at the same location. You just have a short walk from one to the other. As far as fitting in a trip to Eagle’s Nest all in the same day, I think it depends if you are taking the boat ride on Königssee and then hiking all the way to Obersee (which we recommend). If so, you’ll likely run out of time for Eagle’s Nest. The boat ride and hike will take around 4 hours. Then you’ll likely spend another 1.5-2 hours at Jennerbahn which doesn’t leave enough time to tour Eagle’s Nest. You could possibly fit it all in in one day if you did not hike to Obersee and planned to get an early start to your day.
Thank you so much ! 😊
You’re welcome! I hope you have a fantastic trip!