Zugspitze Tour

Duration: 3 days
Trails: T3 trails
Distance: 10 - 15 km per day
Ascent per day: More than 1000 m ascent per day

> Stand atop Germany's highest peak; the Zugspitze
> Walk from Germany to Austria in 3 days
> Perfect for a long weekend full of adventure

No other 3-day hike offers as much versatility as the Zugspitze Tour from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. In addition to the German Alps, this multi-day hike leads you through the Austrian Alps and is completely centered around the Zugspitze. At an impressive 2,962 meters, this is the highest mountain in Germany. A peak that the true mountain hiker should therefore not miss.

Through the Partnach Gorge, the Reintal Valley and the sharp ridge you move yourself from hut to hut until you reach the summit. With good weather you can see 250 kilometers far and even see the Grossglockner in Austria. The huts where you spend the night are unique and will complete your trek. Pack your backpack, and will we see you at the top?

Itinerary

Day
1

Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Reintalangerhütte

Duration: 05:40 h
Distance: 14.2 km
Ascent: 680 m
Descent: 40 m
In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the Zugspitze Trail starts next to the famous ski ramp. From this point, you will walk steadily uphill on a wide path until you are left at the entrance to the Partnach Gorge after 1.8 kilometers (1,1 miles). This passage (for a fee) leads you between two gigantic rock formations with the Partnach river on your right and this forms one of the most beautiful highlights of the trail. After this, you walk further up via the Reintal valley, past the Bockhütte and an impressive waterfall. At the end of the day, you will arrive at the Reintalangerhütte. Here you can fully enjoy the surrounding scenery as the Partnach flows past.

Reintalangerhütte

Info
Reintalangerhütte
Day
2

Reintalangerhütte - Zugspitze - Knorrhütte

Duration: 08:15 h
Distance: 11.5 km
Ascent: 1540 m
Descent: 860 m
Today is all about the highlight of this tour, summiting the Zugspitze. Before you can start the climb to the summit, you will first walk up steeply for 3.5 kilometers (2,2 miles) until you arrive at the Knorrhütte. This is also where you will spend the night, but for now you can leave some belongings there and continue your trek to the Zugspitze with a lighter daypack. From the Knorrhütte, the steep climb continues in a stony landscape. After covering another 3 kilometers (1,9 miles), you will be at the foot of the tough climb to the summit. Using steel cables, you climb and scramble over the ridge. This makes for panoramic views and in the distance you can see the Zugspitze slowly looming up. Once you reach the top, you will find the Münchner Haus and the memorable golden cross; welcome to Germany's highest point. When you've had enough of the stunning views, turn around and walk back to the Knorrhütte via the same challenging rock faces. Here it's time to celebrate your victory with a cold beer and the other hikers.

Knorrhütte

Info
Knorrhütte
Day
3

Knorrhütte - Ehrwald

Duration: 05:20 h
Distance: 12.5 km
Ascent: 140 m
Descent: 1180 m
Today you will wake up in the Knorrhütte and after a good breakfast your trek towards the Austrian border will begin. You start quietly on a path without too many altitude differences and slowly you will pass through the same stony landscape of yesterday. After more than 2 kilometers (1,3 miles), you arrive at the border where you can still find the old transition signs. Shortly after you take your first steps on Austrian soil, the path starts to descend sharply. You then continue downhill on a well-trodden path until you pass the cozy Hochfellner Alm. Take a short break here if necessary and enjoy an Austrian apple strudel. Not hungry yet, walk on to the Ehrwalder Alm which is 2 kilometers (1,3 miles) away. From here you can also take the cable car down and skip 2.5 kilometers (1,6 miles) and 380 altitude meters (1.246 ft). The end point for today's stage is in Ehrwald and from here you can be back in Garmisch-Partenkirchen within half an hour by public transport. Here your Zugspitze trek is over and you can proudly say that you stood on the highest point in Germany. Gut gemacht!

Included

  • Booking the huts

    We will take care of arranging accommodation on the Zugspitze Tour for you. We will also provide you with a detailed itinerary for every stage and instructions on how to get to the trailhead.

  • Full travel guide

    We will send you on your way with a digital travel guide that includes a route description for the Zugspitze Tour, interactive hiking maps, and the most important information applicable to your trek

  • Accommodation

    During your Zugspitze Tour, you will spend your nights in mountain huts. In the mountain huts we normally only book dormitories, but we can look into private rooms on request. If the private rooms are fully booked or not available in the hut, we automatically book a bed in dormitories for you. Please note that private rooms are more expensive and there will be an additional charge for this.

  • Half-board

    Accommodation at the huts includes dinner and breakfast. We will arrange this for you as well. This allows you to travel lighter and have one less thing to worry about. Bear in mind that lunch is not included, but it can be purchased at the huts. Here you can also buy an array of snacks and bottled water.

Excluded

  • Traveling to and from

    You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.

  • Transfers

    Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas etc.

  • Lunch

    Half-board is included in the price of this trek. Lunch, however, is not. You can get something to eat at the mountain huts along the way.

  • Travel Insurance

    Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.

  • Personal expenses

    Personal expenses on such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.

  • Payment Knorrhütte

    The Knorrhütte only accepts cash payments on site. Bookatrekking.com takes care of your reservation but you will need to complete the payment on arrival. The reservation includes your stay plus half board and costs approximately €70 per person. Make sure you bring enough cash.

FAQ

  • What and Where Is the Zugspitze?

  • Is Hiking the Zugspitze for Me?

  • What Is the Best Season for the Zugspitze Hiking?

  • How Do I Get to the Start and End Points?

How to Book

  • Booking

  • Availability

  • Cancellation policy

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Contact our Trekking Expert
Manon Weusthof
Manon Weusthof

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