Zugspitze Trek
One of the most beautiful hikes in Germany
The Zugspitz Trek is one of our favorite hikes and a classic in the Vivalpin program. The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly the ascent of the 2,962-meter Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak. The extraordinarily beautiful route takes you on easy paths through densely wooded valleys, over sunny transitions and finally across the eternal ice of the Schneeferner to the Zugspitze. Already on the first day you will experience one of the highlights of the Zugspitze region: the ascent through the Höllentalklamm gorge and further along old mountain paths to the Hupfleitenjoch viewpoint. On the second day, the route is initially tranquil via the Bernadeinsteig, which is rich in views, to the Stuiben, and later gently ascends between the rock faces of Hochwanner and Hochblassen to the beautifully situated Reintalangerhütte. The summit day is the mountaineering highlight of the traverse and with a luggage depot at the Knorrhütte also easy to manage. With the descent via Gatterl to Ehrwald, the Zugspitze hike comes to a worthy end, while Germany's highest peak once again shows its impressive side.
Program and schedule
- Mountain guide:in with the appropriate qualification
- 3 x overnight stay in DAV huts
- Rich breakfast
- Dinner with several courses
- Participation in the Online Training: Alpine Crossing - Preparation (1 h)
Additional costs
- Arrival
- Snacks
Day 1: From the parking lot at the Kreuzeck train station to Hammersbach and spectacularly through the Höllentalklamm and over the Hupfleitenjoch to the Kreuzeckhaus (1,652 m).
2nd day: Panoramic hike over the Stuiben into the Reintal and further to the Reintalangerhütte (1,367 m).
Day 3: High alpine to the Zugspitzplatt and via the well-secured trail to the Zugspitz summit (2,962 m), descent to the Knorrhütte (2,052 m).
Day 4: From the snow and ice of the Zugspitze to the sunny alpine pastures to Ehrwald. Wonderful hike over the Gatterl to the Ehrwalder Alm and to the Austrian Ehrwald. Transfer back to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
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.
You need a good condition for up to 1,600 hm (if you use the summit cable car 1,300 hm) or 5 h ascent. Prerequisite for the Zugspitztrek are surefootedness and condition for hikes with up to 6 h (pure walking time) with about 8 kg luggage. The route is technically easy without climbing passages. There are easy and moderately difficult mountain paths to walk, the final ascent from Sonnalpin to the Zugspitz summit is marked as a difficult (black) mountain path. Accompanied by your mountain guide, the route is also recommended for sure-footed newcomers with the necessary fitness. Good preparation is half the battle for hikes lasting several days: Get used to your mountain boots and to carrying a backpack. The best way to practice this is on hikes with comparable altitude differences. For your specific preparation, we also recommend our intensive training in surefootedness and head for heights.
"The Zugspitztrek is unparalleled. Because it leads through all climate and vegetation stages of the Alps and at the same time over the easiest ascent to the highest peak in Germany".
Julia Pöschl
Local
Head of Department Mountain and Ski School