Zugspitze gate
The easiest ascent to the Zugspitze.
Schedule overview:
Saturday or Sunday from June to October
You would like to Zugspitze hike and are you looking for a route without climbing and via ferrata passages? Even though some exposed sections are secured by wire ropes, the tour via the Gatterl as the easiest and most scenic ascent to Germany's highest mountain (2,962 m).
The highlights of the Gatterl tour
- Starting point: Ehrwald (Tyrol), Ehrwalder Almbahn mountain station.
- Difficulty: Demanding mountain hike (surefootedness required).
- Abbreviation: The Bayerische Zugspitzbahn (glacier cable car) saves power at the finale.
- Special feature: Border crossing between Austria and Germany at the so-called Gatterl, an impressive rock gate.
Route description: From Ehrwald to Gatterl
Thanks to the Ehrwalder Almbahn we skip the strenuous forest road part of the ascent and head straight into the alpine experience. At the leisurely pace of your mountain guide, you first hike across lush alpine pastures, later over scabby terrain to the Feldernjöchl (2,045 m).
Shortly afterwards, you reach the eponymous key point: the Gatterl. This short, exposed passage is secured with wire ropes and marks the border between Tyrol and Bavaria. After crossing the Gatterl, a fascinating, high alpine karst landscape awaits you, which may still have snow and firn passages depending on the time of year.
Via the Knorrhütte to the Zugspitzplatt
At the traditional Knorr hut the trail meets the classic Reintal route. Via the extensive Zugspitzplatt you reach the Sonnalpin. Here, the glacier lift offers a welcome shortcut if the weather changes or your fitness level drops.
The finale from Sonnalpin to the summit
The last 400 meters in altitude challenge the climber once again, but reward them with fantastic views. The path leads over a steep scree field to a path artfully carved into the rock. Numerous wire rope protections provide safety on the exposed sections. At the latest at the Summit ridge at 2,830 m you should pause for a moment: Enjoy the panoramic view over the Alps before you walk the last few meters to the golden summit cross!
On vivalpin.blog you will find many stories and tips about the Zugspitze and the mountains of the world!
You can find more exciting tours around the Zugspitze here
Are you missing equipment?
You can hire many items of equipment from us, for everything else you will receive a discount of 10% at bergfreunde.de
Here you will find important information on pricing and cancellation policies
If you are traveling with your camper, we may offer you the Pitch at the Wank in a wonderful panoramic location (€ 26,- per night).
For customers of our partner Hornung there are also free parking spaces.
Program and schedule
- Mountain guide with the appropriate qualifications
- 10% discount code for your purchases at bergfreunde.de
Additional costs
- Gatterl ticket (Ascent with the Ehrwalder Almbahn, descent with the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn, glacier cable car to the Zugspitz summit and bus ride from the valley station of the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn to the Ehrwalder Almbahn)
- Snacks, drinks
- Arrival, possibly parking fee
From the Ehrwalder Almbahn mountain station (1,502 m) on narrow paths and climbs to the key point, the Gatterl with wire rope insurance. From here over scree, snow and firn to the Knorrhütte (2,051 m) and on to the Sonnalpin (2,576 m). Depending on the weather and conditions, take the glacier cable car or continue on foot via steep passages secured by wire ropes to the summit terrace of the Zugspitze (2,962 m).
Note on program changes:
All courses and guided tours are conscientiously organized and carried out in accordance with the safety standards of the Vivalpin Mountain and Ski School with qualified specialists (e.g. mountain and ski guides, mountain hiking guides, etc.). The provisional tour program may be adjusted for safety-related reasons, such as bad weather, dangerous conditions, unforeseen natural events or inadequate conditions of the participants. The final program will be decided by the guide on site.
- Sure-footedness and fitness for 5 h or 1,400 m ascent
You can find information on estimating altitude meters and difficulty information here. If in doubt, please call our office or send us an e-mail!
"If you are unsure whether you can manage the ascent of the Zugspitze, then the climb over the Gatterl is the right one for you. The altitude difference is still considerable, but the route is even with two steep steps at the Gatterl and then just before the summit. However, you can shorten this summit section with the summit cable car if you are not in good shape."
Cat Juhran
Mountain hiking guide
Member of the VIVALPIN Competence Team
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