Zugspitze gate
The easiest ascent to the Zugspitze.
The route via Gatterl to the Zugspitze is the easiest and shortest route to Germany's highest peak. Thanks to the Ehrwald Almbahn, we skip the boring (forest road) part of the climb. Over alpine pastures and scree you hike up to the 2,045 m high Feldernjöchl and soon after reach the key point and the route's namesake, the Gatterl, a short wire-rope-secured and exposed passage. After crossing the Gatterl follows high alpine karst terrain with, depending on the season, snow and firn passages. At the Knorrhütte you meet the Reintal route, which takes you to the Sonnalpin. Here the glacier cable car offers a welcome shortcut in bad weather or when your fitness is flagging. Because the last 400 hm are fantastically varied and full of views, but they also demand the whole climber. Across a steep scree field you reach the mountain path artfully carved into the rock. Numerous wire rope protections support the psyche more than the physique in particularly exposed passages. At 2,830 m you reach the summit ridge, at the latest here you should take a look into the wide round and enjoy every meter of altitude step by step despite all the efforts!
Program and schedule
- Mountain guide:in with the appropriate qualifications
Additional costs
- Descent with the Zugspitzbahn
- Snacks, drinks
- Arrival, possibly parking fee
From the mountain station of the Ehrwalder Almbahn (1,502 m) on narrow paths and climbs to the key point, the wire-rope-secured Gatterl . From here over scree, snow and firn to the Knorrhütte (2,051 m) and further to the Sonnalpin (2,576 m). Depending on weather and conditions, take the glacier cable car or continue on foot over wire-rope-secured passages steeply 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.
- Surefootedness and fitness for 5 h or 1,400 hm ascent
"If you are unsure whether you can make the ascent of the Zugspitze, then the climb over the Gatterl is the right one for you. The vertical meters are still considerable, but the path is even with two steep steps at the Gatterl and then shortly before the summit. However, you can shorten this summit passage with the summit cable car if your condition does not allow it."
Cat Juhran
Mountain hiking guide
Member of the VIVALPIN Competence Team
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