Zugspitze and the Top of Germany
On this trip, one of the areas I was most interested in visiting was Zugspitze, the highest point in Germany, along with Alpspize, a neighboring peak in the Alps with stunning views of the valley below. I took the train from Innsbruck to Garmisch where I spent the night. The trip was stunning.
Zugspitze has a cog railway system that goes along the valley up to Lake Eibsee . Along the way there are stops for Alpspize and other hiking destinations. To get to the top of Zugspitze, there are two main options if you don’t want to hike: the train or the cable car (gondola). I took the train from Eibsee to the midway point up Zugspitze where the train stops. From there, I took the cable car up to the summit. To get back down, I took the cable car directly back down to Eibsee. This is not a trip for anyone with a fear of heights!
Most people will take two days to do both peaks. I didn’t have that kind of time, so I rushed and did both Alpspize and Zugspitse in a single day. It was rushed, but I still felt that I had time to enjoy both peaks. Zugspitze is taller and had better pretzels. Alpspize has a terrifying see-through bridge at the top that goes out over the ledge of the cliff, with nothing but a metal grate between you and the ground several thousand feet below. It was awesome. Scary, but awesome.
Descending from Alpspize, there was an option of either going down on a cable car part way and transferring after a short hike, or a slightly longer hike to the next cable car. I had a bit of time before the last train, so I opted for the hike. Along the way I found a set of swings that looked down over a small valley. These are the random and great things you can only see on adventures like this, where you have time to stop and enjoy the mountains.
The view from the top of Germany.
The highest point in Germany.
The scary vertical viewpoint.
Looking out from the top of Alpspize onto the valley below.
Yep. That's a cloud down there between my feet and the ground a couple thousand feet below.
Chair selfie from the Alpspize trail.
These chairs are random and awesome.
