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Zugspitze: The Ultimate Guide to Germany’s Highest Mountain

Zugspitze: The Ultimate Guide to Germany’s Highest Mountain

If you’re planning a trip to Bavaria, there’s one destination that should be high—literally—on your list: the Zugspitze. As Germany’s highest peak with nearly 3.000 meters (9.800 ft), it offers breathtaking views, an unforgettable alpine experience, and plenty of activities for every type of traveler. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a nature lover, or simply want to enjoy a beer at nearly 9,800 feet above sea level, the Zugspitze is a place you won’t want to miss.

Getting to the Top – How to Reach the Zugspitze

Reaching the 2.962-meter (9.718-foot) summit of the Zugspitze is easier than you might think, thanks to modern transportation. You have two main options to get there, both offering stunning views along the way:

The Zugspitze Cable Car (Seilbahn Zugspitze) – This is the fastest and most scenic way to reach the top. Departing from the Eibsee (a lake near the town of garmisch-Partenkirchen), the cable car takes you to the summit in just 10 minutes while offering uninterrupted panoramic views of the Bavarian Alps. It’s a breathtaking ride and perfect for those who want to enjoy the scenery without too much effort.
The Bavarian Zugspitze Railway (Zugspitzbahn) – If you prefer a more traditional alpine journey, this cogwheel train departs from Garmisch-Partenkirchen and takes you up to the Zugspitzplatt, a station just below the summit. From there, a short glacier cable car ride takes you to the very top. This option is great for travelers who want to enjoy a longer, more scenic ascent. Also for train and railway enthusiasts this cogwheel train is to prefer as it runs since more than 90 years to the Zugspitze.

For the truly adventurous, there’s also the option to hike up—but be warned, this is a challenging full-day trek and should only be attempted by very experienced mountaineers.

It is often a bit confusing how to reach the top, because on the summit, there is the border between Austria and Germany. And also on the Austrian side, there is a cable car from the Austrian town of Ehrwald to the summit. To distinguish between the different cable cars, they are named differently:

Bayerische Zugspitzbahn (Bavarian Zugspitze Cable Car)
Tiroler Zugspitzbahn (Tyrolean Zugspitze Cable Car)
Gletscherbahn (Glacier Cable Car)

The Bavarian Zugspitze Cable Car, the Clacier Cable Car and the Cogwheel train operate on the German side of the border, while the Tyrolean Cable Car opertates on the Austrian side of the Zugspitze.

What to Do on the Zugspitze

Once you’ve reached the top, the Zugspitze offers much more than just stunning views. Here are some of the highlights:

Enjoy the 360° Panoramic View

At the summit (actually a few feet below the summit), you’re standing on Germany’s rooftop. From here, you can see over 400 mountain peaks across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and even Italy on a clear day. The viewing platforms offer breathtaking photo opportunities, and there’s even a border crossing—you can literally step from Germany into Austria while at the top!

Experience the Glacier

Just below the summit lies the Zugspitzplatt Glacier, Germany’s highest glacier, where visitors can experience snow even in summer. In winter, it transforms into a small but impressive ski area, offering 20 kilometers (12 miles) of slopes for all levels. If you’re not into skiing, you can simply enjoy the snowy landscape, have fun with a sled rental, or enjoy a walk along the glacier paths. You will also find an Igloo-hotel during winter with inside and outside bar. And those of you who want a bit of culture, there is the highest chapel of Germany – Maria Heimsuchung Chapel.

Dine at the Summit Restaurants

Eating at nearly 3,000 meters is an experience in itself. There are several restaurants at the summit, including:

Panorama 2962, which offers traditional Bavarian dishes with unbeatable mountain views.
Sonnalpin, the glacier restaurant located at the Zugspitzplatt, which serves hearty alpine specialties like Kaiserschmarrn (sweet shredded pancakes), hot soups and snacks—perfect after a cold day on the glacier. Tip: They also have chairs where you can lie in the sun end enjoy a drink.
Gletscher 2600, a glass pavillon next to Sonnalpin, offering vegetarian and vegan alpine food specialities.
Panorama Gipfelrestaurant (Austria), the panoramic summit restaurant on the Austrian side of Zugspitze is a self-service restaurant with Austrian and international cuisine.

Cross the Border into Austria

One of the coolest features of the Zugspitze is that it sits directly on the German-Austrian border. It’s an easy way to say you’ve been to two countries in one trip! You can have lunch in Germany and a coffee in Austria.

Hike around the Eibsee

The Eibsee lake is at the foot of Zugspitze mountain. A beautiful Alpine lake with crystal clear water and stunning turqoise color. When there is no wind, it is also a mirror lake which mirrors the mountains behind. A great breathtaking photo opportunity when you are either on the way to the top of Zugspitze or as your last stop before returning to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. You can also hike around the lake or even walk on the frozen lake in winter.

Why the Zugspitze is Worth the Trip

Visiting the Zugspitze is not just about reaching Germany’s highest point—it’s about experiencing the magic of the Alps. Whether you’re riding the cable car, playing in the snow, or simply taking in the unmatched mountain scenery, the Zugspitze offers a truly unforgettable experience for tourists.

If you’re in Bavaria, don’t miss the chance to visit this legendary peak. Have you been to the Zugspitze before? Share your experience in the comments!

When to visit Zugspitze?

You can visit Zugspitze year round, but keep the following in mind:

This summit is nearly 9.800 ft. Hiking to the top is only for the really, really experienced hikers (really!).
It can have lots of snow at the summit during the winter. Make sure you have thick boots and really warm clothes (if you are not skiing – then you usually have already all the gear you need for snow, ice and cold temperatures).
The wind at the summit can be really icey during fall, winter and spring. I recommend bringing a hat, scarf and maybe earmuffs.

Winter:

(December – April): A paradise for skiers, snowboarders, and winter sports lovers. The glacier provides one of Germany’s most unique ski experiences, and the snow-covered peaks are absolutely magical.

Summer:

(June – September): Ideal for hiking, photography, and enjoying mild temperatures.

Spring and Fall:

These seasons can be unpredictable, with a mix of sun, rain, or snow. However, they’re also less crowded, making them perfect for visitors who prefer a quieter mountain experience.

FAQ Zugspitze visit

Do I need to ski during winter or can I also walk at the glacier?

You don’t need to bring ski gear to explore the snow covered glacier area. You can also walk to the chapel at the glacier or visit the Igloo hotel (entrance fee or free entrance when buying a drink) and have a seat in a lounger with a stunning view.

Can I do tobboganning?

Yes, at Sonnalpin Restaurant, you can rent sleds. Toboganning at Zugspitze is family-friendly.

When does the cogwheel train depart from Garmisch-Partenkirchen?

The cogwheel train departs at the Zugspitzbahnbahnhof in Garmisch-Partenkirchen hourly between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. For detailed information, see the timetable for the cogwheel train at: https://zugspitze.de/en/Service-information/Opening-hours-timetables

Where does the cogwheel train depart in Garmisch-Partenkirchen?

The cogwheel train departs at the Zugspitzbahnbahnhof in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Be aware that the cogwheel-train station is not the same as the regular Garmisch-Partenkirchen train station. It is a separate station neighboring Garmisch-Partenkirchen station. A short walk through a pedestrian tunnel will bring you to the modern cogwheel terminal.

Where do I get tickets for the cogwheel train and the cable cars?

You can buy tickets online on the official website: https://zugspitze.de/en/Service-information/Tickets-rates/Zugspitze

Also most hotels in and around Garmisch-Partenkirchen offer official tickets for the same, official price. Ask your reception or concierge, if you are staying in an hotel in or near Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Of course you can also buy tickets on-site, but the number of tickets for the specific day is limited. So the Zugspitzbahn encourages to buy online beforehand.

Do I have assigned seats in the cogwheel train? Can I reserve seats?

No. Seats can not be reserved. The cogwheel train uses the first come-first serve principle. Therefore I also recommend not to use the peak departures (9 a.m. – 11.am). Especially during the skiing season and on weekends, the trains are fully packed. In the worst case scenario, you have to wait for one hour before the next train departs.