Zugspitze

Zugspitze is a mountain on the border between Germany and Austria, the highest point (9,718 feet [2,962 meters]) in Germany. It is part of the Wetterstein Mountains in the Bavarian Alps. Zugspitze is home to one of Germany’s last glaciers. The mountain can be approached on the west by an aerial tramway from the village of Eibsee and on the northeast by a railway from the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

The first people to ascend the Zugspitze on 27 August 1820 were Lieutenant Josef Naus, a 27-year-old engineer from the Royal Bavarian Army, his mountain guide Johann Georg Tauschl, and a military orderly named Maier. Lieutenant Naus was employed by the Royal Bavarian Topographic Bureau, putting together an Atlas of Bavaria.

The peak is served by three cable cars, which between them carry an estimated half a million visitors to the summit each year. On the flanks of the Zugspitze are two glaciers, the largest in Germany: the Northern Schneeferner with an area of 30.7 hectares and the Höllentalferner with an area of 24.7 hectares2. But “eternal ice” on the Zugspitze is also acutely threatened by climate change. Accompanied by glacier guides, visitors can explore the ice worlds on the Zugspitze plateau. The trained staff provide background information on the glacier, give insights into the microcosm of the ice worlds and explain why this glacier is now threatened by climate change.

On Zugspitze lays Germany’s highest ski area with a total of 20 km of slopes with 9 ski lifts that can take you up to 2,720 meters above sea level. The ski area is suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers. The mountain also offers a variety of mountaineering routes such as the Reintal route which is the easiest route and the Höllental route which is considered the nicest one.

Zugspitze offers a several restaurants at the summit with breathtaking views and varied daily dishes.