Visiting the top of Germany - Zugspitze
Standing at the top of Germany surrounded by the majestic Alps in every direction is an absolutely incredible experience. You can take in the views by standing in Germany as well as standing in Austria simply by walking through a door! To get up to Zugspitze takes a little bit of planning but we break it down below. Zugpsitze, the top of Germany, is an absolute must visit and was one of our favorite places in Germany.
When we went
June 2024. The weather was near perfect with temperatures in the 70s and sunny with partly cloudy blue skies. It is quite a bit cooler and windy at the top of Zugspitze, so come prepared!
About Germany’s Highest Peak, Zugzpitze
The Zugspitze is the highest peak in Germany at 9,718 feet. A golden cross marks the official “highest point”, which you can see in the header photo. In 1851, several people, including a priest, hauled the cross all the way to the top to officially mark the highest point in Germany. Then, during WWII, American troops used the cross for target practice. Since then, the cross has been replaced, however still marks this very important peak!
The golden cross marking Germany’s highest peak, Zugspitze
Zugspitze sits right on the border of Germany and Austria, so you can actually walk from one country to the next at the peak! Gone are the days with border control and stamping of passports as one crossed from one country to the next. While not as much fanfare comes with this border crossing today, it is still a unique experience. From Zugspitze, you can see Germany, Austria, and even Switzerland and Italy on clear days!
There are several observation decks, restaurants, and Germany’s highest outdoor bar with the Alps seemingly at your fingertips as you enjoy a brew with a view. There are also restrooms, a gift shop, and of course non-stop views.
VISITING ZUGPSITZE
Timing Your Visit
This is the most important factor when visiting Zugspitze. If it is rainy or excessively cloudy you won’t get to see anything at the top. And it is a long way to go to be standing in a cloud!
When we visited we were staying in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, located just a short drive from the train station to get to Zugspitze. Staying here for a few days gave us some leverage to wait for the best day to visit. On the morning I hoped to visit, I checked the weather and saw it would be clearest between 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. that day. I rallied the troops and we departed our Airbnb at 9:30 a.m. This gave us time to drive to the train station, park our vehicle, purchase our tickets, take the train, and then finally the gondola. When we arrived at the top of Zugspite, just a few clouds were present, with sunny blue skies and clear views. We couldn’t have had better weather!
Then, while we were eating our lunch in the restaurant at Zugspitze, large clouds came in and fully surrounded us. Our views out of the window of the restaurant were shrouded in white clouds until the clouds moved past. So, if you have a window of clear weather, jump on it! It might be your only opportunity that day.
How to Get to Zugspitze
You can reach the top of Germany by hiking, although that will take days. A much faster way is by the 10 minute gondola ride. You can reach Zugspitze from either Eibsee, Germany or from Ehrwald, Austria.
How We Got There
With staying in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, we had a short drive to the train station that took us on this route:
Map courtesy of Zugspitze.de
On the map, the white peak on the far right is Zugpsitze. The navy blue windy line on the ground is the train from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Eibsee, the bright sky blue line straight up is the gondola from Eibsee to Zugspitze, and the sky blue dashed line is the cogwheel train route up and down the mountain.
This is the route we took:
- Train from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Eibsee.
- Gondola from Eibsee to the top of Zugspitze
- Gondola back down from Zugspitze to Eibsee.
- Train from Eibsee back to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
You have the option to take the cogwheel train down from Zugspitze to Eibsee instead of the gondola. It takes a lot longer than the gondola and you won’t have views of the descent for a portion of the trip as the train goes through tunnels. However, if you want a different experience, don’t mind spending a longer time getting down, or had enough of the gondola on the way up, then try the cogwheel! The cogwheel train takes approximately 45 minutes.
TICKET INFO
You can purchase tickets on site at the Zugspitze Station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, no need to buy ahead of time. In 2024, we paid €72 per person, for a grand total of €360 for our family of five. Youth (16-18 years) are €57,50 and Children (6-15 years) are €36.
Our Experience Visiting Zugspitze
We parked in the lot in front of the Zugspitze station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and purchased our tickets on site.
The train station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where you begin your journey to Zugspitze
We waited a short bit for the train to depart and were with just a few other passengers as this was the starting point for the train.
The train from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Eibsee, Germany
The views are so lovely along the way! As we got closer and closer to the mountains, the scenery became increasingly spectacular.
The beautiful scenery from the train
We got off the train in Eibsee, crossed a small pathway, and entered the gondola station.
The gondola station in Eibsee
From there, we then boarded a large gondola with about other 30-40 other people.
It is spacious to spread out but of course most people are close to the windows to take in the views! Riding the gondola may be a bit challenging if you have a fear of heights. However, the ride was smooth and the views absolutely incredible. There is a glass square on the floor if you want a birds-eye view going up. The gondola is the longest free span gondola in the world and has the biggest distance between valley floor and summit station at 2 kilometers!
On the gondola, heading up to the the top of Germany, Zugspitze!
As you ride up, you pass over hikers on trails below, the Eibsee Lake, and get very close to the mountains, especially closer to the top.
As you get close to the end of the ride, you are right next to the mountains. The last stretch is almost vertical!
The final ascent seemingly whisks you vertically along the mountains. If you can handle the ten minute gondola ride and riding up to over 9,000 feet next to mountainous terrain, you will be handsomely rewarded with the most magnificent views.
Once the gondola stops, you exit and can then access any of the observation areas at Zugspitze. It will be chilly and windy as you are on the absolute top of Germany!
Amazing views from any of the observation decks
I think it’s safe to say Zugspitze is a little bit of a show off 😉
To take in the views from the Austrian side, walk past the outdoor bar area (where you can enjoy a brew at Germany’s highest bar with indisputable best views) through a doorway, and into Austria.
The Austrian side (Tyrol)
While Austria’s highest peaks are much further away in the center of the Alps, the views here are also magnificent. Also on the Austrian side there is a snow pile, which you can see Mike standing on!
Mike is the tall guy on the left on the snow pile. He is on the Austrian side while I am taking this picture from the German side.
We ate lunch at the Panorama 2962 Restaurant, sitting in the far back with amazing views of the Eibsee and beyond. The food and ambiance were was great. There is plenty of seating to spread out comfortably and relax a bit indoors.
You can go beyond the observation deck and climb to the official highest point in Germany, marked by the golden cross. I had planned to do this, which involved climbing a ladder and holder on to cables. However, during our visit in mid-June, it was closed due to snow still on the path. 
See the ladder and cables? That is the path to the official Top of Germany. It was still covered in snow during our June visit, so it was closed.
Other Things to do at Zugspitze
If you can tear yourself away from the awe-inspiring views, you can actually participate in some activities while up on Zugspitze!
In the winter months, you can ski and snowboard at the Zugspitze Ski Area and toboggan on the Zugspitze Plateau.
A short hike will take you to Maria Heimsuchung chapel, Germany’s highest church.
And while waiting for the cogwheel or gondola back down in the building of summit station, check out the 90 Years of Cogwheel Train Exhibition.
PRO TIPS TO HAVE THE BEST VISIT:
- Visit on a clear day. If the weather forecast shows a window, grab that window of opportunity!
- Dress in layers. We were warm on the train below, but once we stepped off the gondola, the chilly Alpine air hit! Consider bringing gloves if you want to touch or play in the snow!
- Camera. Don’t forget your camera as you’ll get some of the most extraordinary images from up here!
- The cost of taking the train and gondola up is expensive. I second guessed myself after I paid, but after doing this it was 100% worth the cost. In fact, it was priceless!
- Plan on spending several hours doing this excursion. We spent about four hours total, which included the transport, time at the top, lunch, and transport back to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
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