Zugspitze – Top of Germany
Unforgettable experiences up high on the roof of Germany
Nature lovers, sun worshippers, hikers – at the top of Zugspitze and an altitude of just under 3,000 meters (10,000 feet), there's something to suit everyone's taste. Experience frosty contact with snow on a summertime glacial hike, sunbathe on Germany's highest sun deck – spend an unforgettable day in the Zugspitze world of adventure.Families with children, senior citizens and wheelchair users can ride comfortably to the Zugspitze summit in the Eibsee cable car. The mountain station invites you to linger in the rustic summit restaurant, Gipfelalm, and the Panorama-Lounge 2962. You can ride the Glacier cable car down to the Zugspitze Glacier just 300 meters (984 feet) under the summit.
"Gletscherwanderweg", a glacier hiking trail
Feel the eternal ice at your toe tips on the Gletscherwanderweg trail (not always open) that leads you across the Zugspitze Glacier and up to the viewing platform at the "Windloch" in just under 30 minutes. From there, you have a magnificent view deep down into the Ehrwald basin 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) below your toes, of the surrounding mountains and the Zugspitzplatt ski area.Karst cave
Take a 15-minute walk to the Karst cave (not always open) and get a glimpse of the inside of Zugspitze mountain. At the cave, you can look 15 meters(49 feet) down into the depths of the mountain. And to boot, you get a tremendous panoramic view across Austria all the way to Italy at the cave entrance if weather conditions permit.SonnAlpin loop trail
The loop hiking trail takes you around the SonnAlpin Glacier Restaurant in 15 to 30 minutes. A perfect way for families with children and senior citizens to experience the surrounding mountain world. A culinary and visual highlight: The Glaciergarden, a filigree glass dome with an open display kitchen. The mobile roof design and glass panes that can be opened in all directions permit open—air seating so guests can enjoy the mountains and their meal at the same time.Children's "Ferrata" (protected climbing route) and playground
A special children's "Ferrata" offers kids their first rock-climbing experience. Young mountain guests can experience the Zugspitze while playing on Germany's highest playground. See-saws, figures and the other structures are made of natural materials like wood and stone.Zugspitze exhibit
The exhibit, "Tourism, Technology and Nature – the Zugspitze", right on the summit documents the exciting development of Zugspitze from the first ascent in 1820 until today. Movies, photos and curious exhibits depict both historic and technical developments. Yellowed photos, old tickets, conductors' ticket punchers and, above all, movies of the spectacular construction of the Glacier and Eibsee cable cars make history come alive. The cogwheel train, which celebrated its 75th year of service in 2005, is the secret star of the exhibit. A section of the rail and an original cogwheel bear witness to the exceptional engineering that made the feat of overcoming the 25 % incline to the Zugspitzplatt under the summit possible. The exhibit is free of charge.Zugspitze panorama view
23 mountain panoramas at nine locations explain the 360˚ views and four “Viscope” telescopes display the names of the mountain summits as you swivel them. On the summit terrace of the Zugspitze there are also nine visualisation tubes offering a close-up experience of the panorama.Further highlights:
- 4-country panoramic view including 400 peaks and 250 kilometers (155 miles) of visibility
- "Maria Heimsuchung", Germany's highest church was blessed by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI)
- Conference Center in the SonnAlpin Glacier Restaurant
- Sun decks with lounges
- Weather station
- Border crossing to Austria/Tyrol
