A trip to the highest mountain in Germany involves one of the world’s most modern gondolas. We took a closer look and spent an eventful day at almost 3,000 meters above sea level.
What options do I have for the ride up the Zugspitze?
There are three ways to ride up the Zugspitze: the Zugspitzbahn gondola and the cog railway from Eibsee near Grainau/Garmisch-Partenkirchen, as well as the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn, a cableway which starts in Ehrwald in Tyrol. We –the two gondola and technology experts in my family – didn’t need to discuss the question for long, going with the first option.
"Our excursion begins at Zugspitz Suites Lermoos. The drive alongside the River Loisach to neighboring Bavaria and the Zugspitzbahn takes about 30 minutes."
The parking area for the Zugspitzbahn is just above Lake Eibsee, which shimmers in the most beautiful shades of blue and turquoise imaginable, both on Instagram and in real life.
We booked the tickets online (€72 per adult and €12 for our 7-year-old son at the family rate, not a bargain, admittedly, but for us, worth the price). Despite the fact that it was a public holiday, there was surprisingly still no sign of queues or bus groups at 8:45 am, and we were able to make a beeline straight to the base station of Germany's most modern cableway.
The new Zugspitzbahn is a technical masterpiece: it took about 6 years to plan and build this gondola lift, with the construction site at almost 3,000 m being a tremendous challenge in its own right. Not only the weather conditions – wind, snow, ice are no rarity – but also the limited space on the summit plateau posed enormous challenges. That said, the end result was impressive indeed: fascinating base and summit stations, as well as a superlative cableway that holds 3 different world records:
- The steel support pylon for the cableway is the tallest of its kind in the world at 127 m.
- The Zugspitze gondola spans the greatest elevation difference in a single ride, rising 1,945 m from the valley up to the summit.
- The span from the support pylon to the summit station is the longest unsupported cable span in the world at 3,213 m.
The Gondola Ride up the Zugspitze
All sound very technical? The Zugspitze cableway doesn’t just amaze technology nerds: the moment you step into the glass-sided panoramic gondola, which can transport up to 120 passengers in one go, you’ll be completely awestruck!
"It goes really high up, the Eibsee sparkles below, you float above the tracks of the cog railway, the forest, and the rock."
It can get a bit unsettling as you pass over the 127 m high pylon or during the steep final approach to the summit station – the Zugspitzbahn definitely guarantees an array of memorable experiences. Start to finish, the gondola ride to the top of the Zugspitze takes around 10 minutes.
At the Top of Germany's Highest Mountain: Technology and Panorama
"The view from the summit station of the Zugspitze is vast: there on the summit terrace, you are able to enjoy a 360° panoramic view of roughly 400 peaks in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland."
We didn’t count them all, needless to say, but we were completely captivated by the view. And I say that as an Austrian who has the Hohe Tauern mountains right in front of their nose every single day. 😉 We decided to join the guided technology tour offered during the summer months: in about 45 minutes, we learned fascinating details about the construction, technology, and maintenance of the gondola lift. After my family’s two lift experts had had their fill of exchanging technical jargon with the mountain manager of the Zugspitzbahn, she released us onto the summit platform. We took a short stroll across the border into Austria and the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn, and then, back in Germany, snapped some memorable photos of the golden summit cross, and treated ourselves to refreshments at the Panorama 2962.
"With views like these (the seating areas are glass-walled), the cheese Spätzle, pretzels with Obazda, and the obligatory hot dogs with French fries taste twice as good!"
Slowly, the summit station of the Zugspitze filled with visitors from around the world, so we decided we would return to the valley on the cog railway. We checked out the 90 Years of the Cog Railway exhibition before leaving the summit station of the Zugspitze gondola and taking the glacier lift to the Zugspitzplatt (elevation ca. 2,600 m).
By Glacier Lift and Cog Railway Back to the Valley
Where, in winter, skiers slice down 20 kilometers of beautifully groomed pistes covered in natural snow, in the summertime, you can go sledding, walk to "Germany’s highest house of worship," the Chapel of the Visitation, and explore the glacier itself. Guided glacier tours are offered daily in the summer months, or you can hike the glacier path, with five interactive stations, on your own.
The station of the almost 100-year-old cog railway is also located at the Zugspitzplatt, and that’s the train we eventually rode back down to the valley. The ride from the Zugspitzplatt to Eibsee is far more leisurely than the gondola, taking about 45 minutes.
Concluding Thoughts about Our Excursion to the Zugspitze
The Zugspitze rightfully ranks amongst the top excursion destinations in Bavaria and the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena. The ride on the Zugspitzbahn is a real highlight – not just for gondola and technology fans. The breadth of scenery and experiences on the Zugspitze leaves a lasting impression.
"One final tip: The almost 7 km long loop around Lake Eibsee was the icing on the cake of our day at the Zugspitze."
The Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, where we spent our short getaway, has much more to offer in summer than just the lift ride on the Zugspitze – and definitely hasn’t seen the last of us! Our bucket list includes a hike to the Seebensee and Drachensee, a hike & bike tour, and a visit to the Ehrenberg castle ruins with its 400 m long suspension footbridge.
Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes Near the Zugspitze
Our holiday apartments and holiday homes at the 3 ALPS RESORTS in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena are fully equipped and offer every creature-comfort you could wish for after a day spent at almost 3,000 m above sea level: The Bergresort Zugspitze Ehrwald (with a restaurant) at the foot of Germany’s highest mountain impresses with its spacious holiday apartments and a wellness area with saunas and an outdoor pool.
The Zugspitz Suites Lermoos also feature a wellness area with saunas and whirlpool, while the holiday homes of Alpenchalets Biberwier Zugspitze promise total relaxation in a private sauna or outdoor bathtub.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Excursions to the Zugspitze
The Zugspitze massif is part of the Wetterstein range and rises southwest of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria (11 km), and about 6 km from Ehrwald in Tyrol (Reutte district). The border between Germany and Austria actually runs over the western summit of the Zugspitze. With an elevation of 2,962 m, the Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany.
Based on our own experience, we recommend taking one of the first gondolas up the Zugspitze early in the morning. This way, you will avoid crowds on the viewing platform as well as potential queues waiting at the lifts and the restaurant.
An early start – especially on sunny days or during main holiday periods – is also advised on the Zugspitze website, as is https://zugspitze.de/en/Service-information/Tickets-rates/Zugspitze. During peak season, lift tickets might well be in short supply.
The Zugspitze is almost 3,000 m high. Keep in mind that it can be very cold and windy on the summit, even in summer. That said, sturdy footwear, breathable outdoor pants, a fleece or light down jacket, a hat, a neck gaiter, and possibly gloves should all be part of your basic attire for a lift ride up the Zugspitze.
"Don't forget sunglasses and sunscreen – at these altitudes, the sun’s rays are much stronger!"
Yes, dogs are permitted on the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn, the Zugspitze gondolas, and the cog railway. You will need to buy an extra ticket for your pet. Please consult the special muzzle and leash requirements for dogs.
You can plan your excursion to the Zugspitze as a full-day trip: It takes about 30 minutes by car from our ALPS RESORTS Bergresort Zugspitze Ehrwald, Alpenchalets Biberwier, or Zugspitz Suites Lermoos to the base station of the Zugspitze gondola on Eibsee.
If you choose to ride the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn (Ehrwald) instead, it will take you correspondingly less time (between 7 and 12 minutes by car)
The actual lift ride up the Zugspitze lasts about 10 minutes, while the cog railway takes 45 minutes (Eibsee – Zugspitzplatt). Due to the diverse range of experiences (exhibitions, tours, sledding, etc.) and dining options at the top, you may wish to spend a few hours on the summit.
Photo materials © Bayerische Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG / Matthias Fend; ALPS RESORTS
Verena J.
Marketing Specialist at ALPS RESORTS
Millennial with a passion for solitary mountains and compelling stories, always on the lookout for exciting destinations and experiences.
Would you like to learn more about ALPS RESORTS? Feel free to use our contact form or submit a non-binding inquiry.