Zugspitze

With its 2962 meters, the Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany. Thanks to the modern Zugspitze cable car or the nostalgic rack railroad, visitors from all over the world and not only ambitious mountaineers can enjoy the unique 360° view of 400 peaks in Germany, Austria and Italy. On clear days, miles of distant views give you an incredible feeling of vastness and freedom.

In winter, a ski area with 20 km of different slopes awaits you. Tobogganing is possible up here all year round.

In summer, a variety of challenging hiking routes, such as a glacier hike or various via ferratas for the athletically ambitious are available.

The new cable car to the Zugspitze went into operation in December 2017 and is called a “record cable car” for three reasons:

• World record: The highest steel construction support tower at 127 meters
• World record: The longest free span at 3,213 meters from the base to the mountain station
• World record: The largest total elevation gain of 1,945 meters

The cogwheel train is also runs to the zugspitze. For nearly 100 years, it brings from Grainau to the Zugspitzplatt. From there, you can take the glacier cable car which bings you tot the summit in a few minutes.

by public transport

"The journey with Deutsche Bahn from Munich Central Station to Garmisch-Partenkirchen takes about 90 minutes. From the DB station, it's only a few meters to the station of the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn, from where the trains travel via Hausberg, Kreuzeck-/Alpspitzbahn and Hammersbach to Grainau and continue to the Eibsee and up to the Zugspitzplatt."

more information

by car

From Munich you reach the valley station of the Zugspitz cable car on the A95 in about 1 1/2 hours. The cogwheel train stop is only a short distance away from the Zugspitz cable car. Coming from Reutte in about 45 minutes via B179, B187 and B23.

The destination address is:

Zugspitzbahnhof Eibsee (cogwheel train)
Seefeldweg 1, 82491 Grainau

Seilbahn Zugspitze (cable car)
Am Eibsee 6, 82491 Grainau

Experience the highest summit of Germany in all its facets. Enjoy the remarkable 360°-Panorama to more of 400 peaks in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Hold on to your personal summit moment and take a picture at the PhotoStop.

Exploring the glacier

It is possible that you sense a shift in time when you take the glacier lifts up to the Zugspitze Glacier at 2,600 metres above sea level. Even in summer high season, you can feel the primeval power of the elements here and discover how wind, rock, snow, ice and sun have left their indelible mark on the mountains over the course of thousands of years. An interactive adventure trail, guided glacier tours, a spot of tobogganing, Germany’s highest chapel and a child-friendly AlpinPark all ensure that your adventurous day on the Zugspitze Glacier literally flies by!

The cogwheel train of the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn AG is one of only a few cog railways operated in Germany. Enjoy the ride with this special vehicle, that takes you to the plateau of the Zugspitze at 2,600 m. Starting point is near the train station Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the Zugspitze station.

The railway was built in the years 1928 to 1930 in three sections to go on 8 July 1930 in the whole in operation.

The white-blue train starts its journey at the station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and stops at several stations on the valley route, such as Hausbergbahn, Alpspitz and Kreuzeckbahn, Hammersbach and Grainau. Here ends the adhesion route.

Then it goes on to the mountain route from Eibsee, to the request stop Riffelriss and finally up to Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze.

Two cable-mounted and brand new cabins in a chic, understated design are ready to carry 120 passengers each to Germany's highest peak. Along their journey, they will traverse the world’s highest steelwork pylon for aerial tramways at 127 metres, the worlds greatest overall height difference of 1,945 metres over one section, as well as the world’s longest unsupported cableway span of 3,213 metres.

For more information on the construction of the cable car or stories about the mountain, visit the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn website

Technical data

• length total: 19,5 km
• distance Garmisch - Grainau: 7,5 km
• distance Grainau - Eibsee: 3,2 km
• distance Eibsee - Riffelriss: 4,3 km
• distance Riffelriss - Zugspitzplatt (=Zugspitz-Tunnel): 4,5 km
• maximum speed: 70 km/h