Zugspitze

The western summit is considered the border between countries - or at least what is left of it today, as it was blown up in 1938 to make way for an air traffic control center for the German Wehrmacht (which was never actually built). Before that, the once three-headed Zugspitze had to sacrifice its central summit for the construction of the cable car mountain station (1930). Thus, today only the eastern summit remains. To climb this, there are three normal routes: from the northeast through the Höllental, from the southeast through the Reintal - both routes on German territory - and finally from the west via the Austrian Schneekar.

For the ascent via the Schneekar, the starting points Eibsee or Ehrwald are suitable - both paths meet again above the Gamskar. From there, it continues over scree sections and ascending switchbacks, past the middle station and the supports of the old cable car to a climbing section secured with wire ropes, at the end of which the Wiener-Neustädter-Hütte (2,209 meters) awaits. If you wish, you can take a well-deserved rest here or even set up your overnight camp and postpone the rest of the journey to the next day.

The next stage leads through the Schneekar, followed by a section with a climbing route (rockfall helmet recommended), further through the so-called Stopselzieher, a naturally eroded rock channel, onto the Reintalanstieg with secured passages, and further on to the Münchner Haus (2,959 meters), which as the highest shelter in the German Alps also bears the highest postbox in Germany. Finally, a wire rope-secured path leads to the golden summit cross.

Ascent time: Approximately 7 hours in total. Good physical condition, surefootedness, and freedom from vertigo are required, and snow can also fall here in the summer.

The varied route is less crowded than its German counterparts.

For the descent, you can take the Zugspitze cable car to the valley station at Eibsee. This takes a slim 10 minutes for the nearly 2,000 meters in altitude. The view extends far beyond Munich to the Bavarian foothills of the Alps and over the High Tauern.

In summer, guests of the Zugspitzbahn can enjoy free guided tours to the summit, which provide information on myths and history in 20 minutes. The Snow Crystal World, dedicated to the exploration of snow crystals, is also free. In addition, the museum "Fascination Zugspitze" (from the first ascent to the cable car, including a 3D show) and the cable car museum "BAHNORAMA" await those hungry for knowledge.

Another hiking route leads from the mountain station to the Knorrhütte (2,051 meters) in 2.5 hours. First, over a more difficult climbing route down to the Schneefernerhaus and from there on to the Sonnalpin. Now it becomes more challenging. Cross the Zugspitzplatt and soon you will have reached the Knorrhütte.

The "Gatterl-Tour" also takes five hours and is not easy. Here, you go the same way to the Knorrhütte, but then via the Plattsteig to the Gatterl. Further on to the Feldernjöchl, Brandjoch, Hochfeldernalm, and the Pestkapelle to the mountain station of the Ehrwalder Almbahn. Then down to the valley by train.

In winter, the Zugspitzplatt transforms into a snow-crystalline ski area. You can find current information about the individual slopes on the official website.