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Zugspitze Highest Mountain In Germany
Highest Mountain In Germany
Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany standing at 2962m, located in the Bavarian Alps at the very south of Germany on the border of Austria. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and is a popular destination for skiing, hiking, and sightseeing. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or simply looking for a scenic getaway, Zugspitze is definitely worth a visit. Hiking up the highest peak in Germany, it's a challenging but rewarding trek that will leave you feeling accomplished and in awe of nature's beauty. Zugspitze has a rich history dating back to the 18th century it was first climbed by a local Bavarian farmer. In the following years, it became a popular destination for mountaineers and tourists alike. During World War II, the mountain was used as a strategic observation post by the German army. Today, Zugspitze is a popular tourist attraction and offers a glimpse into the region's fascinating past. Zugspitze has a ski lift that goes to the summit, it is a must-visit attraction for tourists looking to see the views from the summit without the long climb, The skit lift is also ideal for hikers to catch to get down the mountain, the Zugspitze ski lift is busting with information and has a restaurant.
Flights To Zugspitze
Find the best flights to get and airports to go to if climbing Zugspitze. The nearest airports to Zugspitze are Innsbruck Airport in Austria (1h) and Munich Airport in Germany (1.5h). From these airports there are plenty of different types of transport to the nearest villages to start climbing Zugspitze. Garmisch Partenkirchen in Germany and Ehrwald in Austria.
Find the perfect car rental for you from Innsbruck or Munich airport to reach Zugspitze in the most reliable way. Visit this Link to find your ideal car rental.
Where To Stay Near Zugspitze
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a charming town located in the Bavarian Alps in south Germany just underneath Zugspitze. The town is known for its beautiful architecture and rich history, making it a great place to explore and learn about German culture.
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Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a great town to stay in before and after climbing Zugspitze, with many different types of Accommodation to offer this beautiful town is perfectly located underneath Zugspitze on the German Side of the mountain.
Ehrwald
Ehrwald is a charming village Nestled in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps in Austia just underneath Zugspitze. The small village offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. With its picturesque streets, cozy cafes, and traditional architecture.
Ehrwald is the perfect place to stay for those looking to climb Zugspitze with many different types of Accommodation available which are located just underneath the great Zugspitze mountain.
Climbing Zugspitze
Climbing Zugspitze is an unforgettable experience that will challenge you physically and mentally. As the highest peak in Germany, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Alps and a sense of accomplishment once you reach the summit. Whether you're an experienced climber or a beginner, Zugspitze is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors.
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There are 5 main routes up to the summit of Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. These routes all vary in length, total ascent and difficultly. All these route stats are based on a one way journey to the summit as normally the Ski lift is used to make your way down the mountain.
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1. The Reintal Route (Medium)
2. Ehrwalder Alp and Gatterl (Medium)
3. Austrian Snow Cirque (Hard)
4. Höllental (Devil’s Valley) (Very Hard)
5. Jubilee Ridge (Very hard)
1. The Reintal Route (One Way)
The reintal route is a 24km one way route from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the summit of Zugspitze. This route is usually done in two days with 3 mountain huts in which you can stay the night on the way up. The Bockhutte 11km, The Reintalangerhutte 16km and lastly The Knorrhutte 20km into the route.
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The Reintal route climbs very gradually for the first 16km when you reach the Reintalangerhutte only gaining 740m in elevation up until this point. The first part of the route crosses the Partnach Gorge which flows with lovely torquise waters. After winding though the caves within the gorge you will begin the long walk through the alpine forest valley with the gigantic Bavarian Mountains towering above. The path is very clear the whole way up the mountain.
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After reaching the Reintalangerhutte the trail begins to get a lot steeper in comparison, the path is a lot more rocky from this point on. Once reaching the Knorrhutte it gets less steep for a few km while you make your way directly underneath the summit of Zugspitze. Once underneath the summit there is one last push to climb the last 350m of very steep terrain. There is a short steep section of skree followed by a scramble to the summit. There is a metal wire most the way up to the summit on the scramble in which you can hold onto or clip into if you have a via ferrata kit. You will then reach the building on top of the summit of Zugspitze.
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There is one last section in order to get to the very top of Zugspitze in which you go through the building and out the other side to climb the last section, there is normally a bit of a que to the top due to the tourists making there way up from the ski lift. This section can be dangerous so take care.
2. Ehrwalder Alp and Gatterl (One Way)
The Ehrwalder Alp and Gatterl route is a 17km one way route to the summit of Zugspitze. This route starts in Ehrwald Austria and crosses into Germany at 2000m high, the route can be done in a day or two days with the option to stay in the Knorrhutte 12km into the walk.
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The first 10km of the walk is fairly steady gaining 1000m elevation as you head up from Ehrrwald into the mountain pass on the border of Austria and Germany with the exception of the last little scramble before you are inbetween the two peaks of Ostlicher Gatterlkopf and Hoher Kamm. From here it is a fairly easy 2km walk to the Knorrhutte with little to no gradient.
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Once reaching the Knorrhutte it gets slightly steeper for a few km while you make your way directly underneath the summit of Zugspitze. Once underneath the summit there is one last push to climb the last 350m of very steep terrain. There is a short steep section of skree followed by a scramble to the summit. There is a metal wire most the way up to the summit on the scramble in which you can hold onto or clip into if you have a via ferrata kit. You will then reach the building on top of the summit of Zugspitze.
There is one last section in order to get to the very top of Zugspitze in which you go through the building and out the other side to climb the last section, there is normally a bit of a que to the top due to the tourists making there way up from the ski lift. This section can be dangerous so take care.
3. Austrian Snow Cirque (One Way)
The Austrian Snow Cirque route starts at the bottom of the Zugspitze ski lift in Obermoos Austria. This shot but very steep 6km route almost immediately starts a tough gradient which stays consistent for the whole climb up to Germanys highest point. The route is fairly scrambly the whole way up however is a non technical route. although shorter in distance this route is harder than the Reintal and Ehrwalder Alp and Gatterl route.
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It is best to do this particular walk in the early hours of the day as there can be rock falls around Stopselzieher two thirds of the way up this route. The rock falls get more frequent the hotter it is. During this section of the walk it is strongly advised you wear a helmet.
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The last section of this route is along a wide exposed ridge to the summit of Zugspitze you will be joined with hikers doing the Reintal and Ehrwalder Alp and Gatterl routes the views from this point are tremendous as you get views into the Reintal valley, down to Eibsee and the surrounding mountains.
There is one last section in order to get to the very top of Zugspitze in which you go through the building and out the other side to climb the last section, there is normally a bit of a que to the top due to the tourists making there way up from the ski lift. This section can be dangerous so take care.
4. Hollental (Devils Valley) (One Way)
The Hollental route is a 10km technical hike which requires a glacier crossing, helmets, harness and crampons are required for this crossing. The Schneeferner glacier is the only glacier on Zugspitze and has a via ferrata before and after crossing the glacier.
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The route is fairly short but challenging, it starts off fairly easily as you walk through the Hollentalklamm gorge and to the only hut on this route Hollentalangerhutte 5km into the walk. Once at the Hollentakangerhutte you can stop off for a break or stay the night before you continue the route as the hard part begins after the hut.
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Once setting off from Hollentalangerhutte the first via ferrata begins after a 2km hike of fairly steep ascent. The first via ferrata before reaching the glacier is 1.5km in length.
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The Glacier crossing itself if 2km in length lasting around 3 hours to cross, towards the end of the glacier the terrain gets very steep as you clip into the rock face to begin your last ascent to the Zugspitze summit following the via ferrata. This via ferrata is 1km in length with approximately a 400m ascent to Germanys highest point.
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There is one last section in order to get to the very top of Zugspitze in which you go through the building and out the other side to climb the last section, there is normally a bit of a que to the top due to the tourists making there way up from the ski lift. This section can be dangerous so take care.
5. Jubilee Ridge (One Way)
The Jubilee ridge is potentially the hardest route to the Zugspitze summit as almost the whole route is traversing across a ridge over 5 mountain peaks before reaching the top of Zugspitze.
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You start this route from Hammersbach, walk to the Hollentalangerhutte and ascent up to the ridge inbetween Alpspitze and Volkarspitze or the more common start point is to get the ski lift up to Bergstationand start here.
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The route starts off with a steep 1.5km trek climbing 500m to the Alpspitze summit 2628m from here all the way to Zugspitze is an exposed 6km ridge line which crosses over Volkarspitze, Aubere, Hollentalspitze, Mittlere Hollentalspitze and Innere Hollentalspitze before reaching the summit of the highest mountain in Germany, 7 summit in total.
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There is a small refuge Bivouac Höllentalgrathütte 2684m with 4 beds inbetween the summits of Aubere and Mittlere Hollentalspitze if the weather closes in or you need a rest.
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The climb itself is not too technical and it can be done without ropes, there are bolts and fixed ropes in some areas along the ridge, good fitness and stamina is require on this route.
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There is one last section in order to get to the very top of Zugspitze in which you go through the building and out the other side to climb the last section, there is normally a bit of a que to the top due to the tourists making there way up from the ski lift. This section can be dangerous so take care.
