Some of the most popular and beautiful German countryside is located in the deep south of Germany in the Alps. The Zugspitze region is a perfect example. It connects the German and Austrian borders and includes the highest elevation point in all of Germany.
If you live in Germany along the A3 Autobahn, you’ll often times see Dutch and German cars and caravans loaded with skis headed south to mountainous regions like the Zugspitze Region and other German mountains.
Skiing is a very popular sport and pastime for many Europeans and most of them head to the Zugspitzplatt which is Germany’s highest ski resort and is known for having great snow because of its high elevation.
If you’ve ever been stationed in Germany, as an American soldier, you’ve surely heard of people going to Garmisch for vacation. The Armed Forces Network, the popular American radio station for soldiers in Europe often times will give out gifts to Garmisch for their prizes.
The Zugspitze Region is a collection of some of the tallest mountains in Germany that overlook Garmisch on the German side and The Austrian Cirque on the Austrian side.
If you’d like to walk along the tall ridge line and look far out into the distance of both countries you’ll be happy to know you can. Not every mountain range in the world has a walkable path at the top, thankfully this one does.
You could easily be among the 500,000 people who walk that path every year.
At the top of the highest point in the Zugspitze Region sits a 4.88-meter tall golden cross. Made of iron and 14 separate pieces, the cross marks the highest spot in all of Germany.
Originally put in place in 1851 by an expedition of twenty-eight people, led by Karl Kiendl. The idea came from a meteorologist and priest, Christoph Ott, who didn’t climb the Zugspitze until 3 years later in 1854.
Severe lighting damage to the original cross had it taken down between the years of 1881-1882 when it was repaired. In August of 1882 it was put back on top of the mountain range, but this time in a different place, on the western ridge where it remained for 111 years.
In August of 1993, the cross was taken down again and repaired for damages caused not only by the lightning but also by an ill-disciplined American soldier who shot at the cross during World War II.
Since it could no longer be repaired a replica was formed and put back in its original place in 2009 where it now resides.
If you don’t want to ride the 2-hour train trip to Neuschwanstein Castle there’s still plenty to do in the region, including 3 glaciers to observe, cable cars that travel up and down the mountains, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and a lot more.
You can even hike up the entire mountain if you feel like a hike! It generally takes between 1 to 2 days to complete the journey to the top of the summit if you hike it. If you’re physically fit and feel like seeing who can do it faster you could reach the top within a few hours.
Table of Contents
- Points of Interest:
- Zugspitze Summit
- Garmisch-Classic Ski Resort
- Hausberg Mountain
- Tiroler Zugspitz Arena
- Eisenhower Tunnel
- Romantic Road
- The Eibsee Lake
- Bockstein Sculpture
- Cemetery in Augsburg
- Neuschwanstein Castle
- Linderhof Castle
- Fussen Town Square
- Mittenwald, Germany
- Bad Tolz Town
- Conclusion
- FAQ
- What countries can you see from the Zugspitze?
- What’s the busiest season for the Zugspitze region?
- How many visitors does Neuschwanstein Castle get each year?
- What is the region of Zugspitze?
Points of Interest:
Zugspitze Summit
The Zugspitze Mountain is Germany’s highest mountain. The highest point in Germany. The Zugspitze’s Summit mountain guide can give tourists an outdoor tour.
The Zugspitze’s summit station of the Zugspitze Cable Car is about two hours from starting point at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany on foot with a ski lift. The South ridge route has an elevation gain of around 500 meters.
Garmisch-Classic Ski Resort
One of the most popular ski resorts in Germany. Hundreds of tourists go here every ski season.
Hausberg Mountain
This mountain is the most attractive of the mountains in the region because it contains 3 glaciers. The Hausberg glacier’s total length is 275 meters long and 275 meters wide. It is mostly used for ski alpinism and a training area for skiing schools.
The Gaistal valley separates the Zugspitze from the Ganerben Mountains which are separated by a deep ravine that connects to the Hinterau Valley.
The Mittenwald Hut is in the area. It takes about 2 hours to reach it on foot from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The route heads west through the Hochalm.
Tiroler Zugspitz Arena
The Tiroler Zugspitz Arena is a ski resort in the Bavarian Alps. It’s located on Hausberg Mountain and has over 40 kilometers of slopes. This resort is famous for winter sports.
Eisenhower Tunnel
A tunnel that reaches a depth of 1,721 feet and connects the German and Austrian sides together underground.
Romantic Road
Popular tourist path that starts in Frankfurt, goes through Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and ends in Fussen.
The Romantic Road is a popular tourist route in southern Germany that starts in Frankfurt and ends in Fussen.
Along the way, it goes through Garmisch-Partenkirchen, one of the stops on the Zugspitze Region.
The Eibsee Lake
This lake is a deep blue color and is located in the Wetterstein Mountains. It’s one of the most popular lakes in the area and can be seen from the summit of the Zugspitze.
Bockstein Sculpture
A rock face formation that looks like the head of a goat, or Bock. The Bockstein Sculpture is located on the Zugspitze Plateau and can be accessed via cable car.
Cemetery in Augsburg
Augsburg is the birthplace of Albrecht Durer, one of Germany’s most famous painters. It features an impressive cemetery where Durer and his wife are buried. This attraction is considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe.
Neuschwanstein Castle
This is the most popular tourist destination in Germany and was once built for Ludwig II of Bavaria. It’s located on a hill in the Schwangau district of the Bavarian Alps. More than 1.3 million people visit it every year.
Linderhof Castle
This is the smallest of Ludwig II of Bavaria’s castles and is located in the Oberammergau district. It was built between 1869 and 1879.
Fussen Town Square
This is one of the most attractive squares in the whole region. A lot of locals are attracted to it because it has a very cozy atmosphere. The square is surrounded by half-timbered houses and there is a beautiful fountain in the center.
Mittenwald, Germany
A popular tourist destination that’s located in the foothills of the Alps. It contains a large number of traditional houses and is home to a very famous music academy.
Bad Tolz Town
The town is located in the Bavarian forest and was once part of one of Germany’s oldest pilgrimage trails. The path starts at Mariensee Lake, goes through the Schlossberg forest, and ends at the pilgrimage church in Bad Tolz.
See Related: Best Father Daugther Trip Ideas
Conclusion
The Zugspitze region is a popular tourist destination for those who love the outdoors. There are many attractions in the area, including the Zugspitze Summit, Hausberg Mountain, Garmisch-Classic Ski Resort, Eisenhower Tunnel, Romantic Road, the Eibsee Lake, Bockstein Sculpture, the Cemetery in Augsburg, and Neuschwanstein Castle.
There are also plenty of smaller villages and towns to explore, all with their own unique charm. Travelers can enjoy hiking, skiing, biking, and riding the Tyrolean Zugspitze cable car in the beautiful Bavarian Alps. The Zugspitze region is a great place for those who want to experience all that Germany has to offer.
FAQ
What countries can you see from the Zugspitze?
You can see Austria, Italy, and Switzerland from the summit of the Zugspitze.
What’s the busiest season for the Zugspitze region?
The busiest season for the Zugspitze region is from May to October. This is when the weather is most favorable for outdoor activities.
How many visitors does Neuschwanstein Castle get each year?
More than 1.3 million people visit Neuschwanstein Castle every year.
What is the region of Zugspitze?
The Zugspitze region is a popular tourist destination in southern Germany that starts in Frankfurt and ends in Fussen. Along the way, it goes through Garmisch-Partenkirchen, one of the stops in the Zugspitze Region.
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