The mountains and the sea are the champions of unforgettable images of nature, and the Alps are not the last of these champions. In terms of scenic beauty and variety of mountain landscapes, the Alps are not inferior to other mountain systems. And their advantage is that the Alps are in Europe, where there are roads and railroads in the mountains, and the ascent to and descent from the mountains has been thought out.
Mount Zugspitze is the highest point in Germany, 2,962 meters. The name consists of two parts: "Spitze" is translated from German as "Top", and the first part comes from the word "Zugbahnen" - trail of avalanches. Before that, the mountain was called Schart. Zugspitze attracts not only lovers of skiing, but also those who go to the mountains to admire the nature and breathe the mountain air.
For those who want to ride on the snowy slopes there is a rental of sports equipment, clothing and shoes. There are viewing platforms, cafes and restaurants for tourists to relax in. More than 300 caves were discovered on the Zugspitze; some are open to the public.
People come here with small children, you can even take a stroller with you. The only "disadvantage" of Zugspitze is its popularity: you have to queue to get to the cable car that takes you to the top.
View from the top of the Zugspitze: half of Europe is visible!
The highest point of the mountain is marked with a gilded cross. From the summit of the Zugspitze you have a view of four countries:
- Germany
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Italy.
- The most alert and geographically aware travelers also see a 5th, Liechtenstein.
You can take a cable car up here from Germany and down to Austria, the border goes just through Zugspitze.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Adolf Hitler and the Glacier Lake
They get to the foot of the mountains by car, and without a car tourists come here from Munich by train. From Munich the train goes to the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where the memorable 1936 Winter Olympics were held.
The Olympics could not take place here - representatives of the Olympic Committee opposed the holding of the Games in Nazi Germany. However, the Germans organized the Games brilliantly: at the closing ceremony, 6 strongest skiers descended to the stadium on the mountainside, unfolding a canvas with the Olympic rings. Adolf Hitler took the podium among the organizers of the IV Winter Olympics.
From Garmisch-Partenkirchen there is a train to Eibsee station. Eibsee is a glacial lake at the foot of the Zugspitze. On the way to Eibsee, the train makes 3 stops at the elevators to other peaks, where skiers and snowboarders also ski.
Climbing the Zugspitze: two cable cars or the train
Climbing the Zugspitze requires a choice: take the cable car or the cogged train. A cogged train is a mountain vehicle that, in addition to the usual rails, has a cogged wheel that, by clinging to a cogged rail, helps to climb the mountain vertically.
Experienced travelers are advised to climb the cable car because of the nature that opens up from it, as part of the cogwheel's path goes through a tunnel. From the middle of the cable car, the cars begin to steeply move upward to give hikers an extra ride-like experience.
The top point of the cable car is 20 meters below the peak on which the cross is placed, it is only accessible on foot. It is a walk for the most athletic and properly shod, because the last dozens of meters is a steep climb up the cliff.
A gear train will take tourists to the glacier at Plato Station, a ski slope, and travelers will climb to the top of the mountain via a local cable car (300 meters).
But tourists are advised to take the cogwheel down. The train ends later in the day, and you can still enjoy the mountains a bit more, rather than standing in line for 2 hours on the cable car. Also, it's worth taking a ride on a vehicle like the vertical train for a new experience! The walls of the tunnel inside are lit up in places so tourists can see inside.
What to take with you, except a willingness to admire
If the trip to Zugspitze is for sightseeing purposes, the tourist should bring a jacket or sweater. In summer, the temperature difference between Munich and Zugspitze Peak is 20 degrees, at a temperature of + 7-8 it is uncomfortable to admire the views in a T-shirt.
In clear weather, the snow reflects the sun's rays and blinds a lot, you need sunglasses. And those who want to reach the cross at the top should wear sturdy shoes.
