Zugspitze

The Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany, rising 2,962 meters (9,718 feet) above sea level. It sits on the border between Bavaria, Germany, and Tyrol, Austria, near the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

It is the highest peak of the Wetterstein range, which is part of the Northern Limestone Alps. The summit is composed mainly of dolomite rock. On the north face lies the Schneeferner glacier, Germany’s largest glacier, though it has retreated substantially in recent decades due to climate change.

Access to the summit is possible via two main routes. The Bayerische Zugspitzbahn cog railway runs from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the Zugspitzplatt, after which a cable car continues to the summit. The Tiroler Zugspitzbahn cable car runs from Ehrwald, Austria to the Zugspitzplatt with a connecting lift to the top. The summit area features a viewing platform, restaurants, and a small weather station.

The first documented ascent was in 1820 by Bavarian surveyors and their guides. Since then, the Zugspitze has become a symbol of the Bavarian Alps and a major destination for hikers, climbers, and winter visitors. The area is a popular tourist destination and lies within protected alpine landscapes. Ongoing climate change has led to significant glacier retreat, and the Zugspitze region is monitored by scientific research.