Wettersteingebirge DE/AT Updated 14 Oct 2026

Zugspitze

Germany's highest mountain – on foot via Reintal or Gatterl, with a cable car ride down.

Elevation
2,962 m
Routes
4
Ascent
2,015–2,300 m
Season
Jun–Sep
3D view of the Zugspitze from the north with Lake Eibsee
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Terrain: Mapzen Terrain Tiles (AWS), approx. 13 m, area approx. 26 × 26 km. Schematic, not for navigation.

Winter: avalanche danger. In winter these routes carry avalanche danger. The preparation here is made for the summer season; in winter the pack adds extra warnings.

The Zugspitze (2962 m) stands in the Wetterstein range on the border between Bavaria and Tyrol. Four well-known routes lead up on foot: two long mountain trails (Reintal, Gatterl) and two via ferratas (Höllental, Stopselzieher). Almost everyone takes one of the cable cars back down. This pack focuses on the Reintal and Gatterl routes; the via ferratas are included only for context.

Routes

  • Reintal

    Reintal (from Olympia ski stadium / Partnachklamm)

    Distance
    21 km
    Ascent
    2,300 m
    Time
    10–11.5 h

    Experienced hikers with good fitness

    Rating and time in detail

    DAV brochure: rating "I, A" (mountain trail, short grade I scrambling, light cable protection)

    Time: Day 1: 5–5.5 h to Reintalangerhütte; day 2: 5–6 h to the summit (DAV hut trek)

    7 sections, turnaround points and huts in the pack

  • Gatterl

    Gatterl (from Ehrwalder Almbahn valley station)

    Distance
    14 km
    Ascent
    2,100 m
    Time
    approx. 5.5 h

    Experienced hikers with good fitness

    Rating and time in detail

    DAV brochure: rating "I, A" (mountain trail, short grade I scrambling, light cable protection)

    Time: about 3 h to Knorrhütte (Bergwelten), then about 2.5 h to the summit (Bergwelten); about 390 m less with the Almbahn

    8 sections, turnaround points and huts in the pack

  • Höllental

    Höllental (via ferrata, for context only)

    Distance
    9 km
    Ascent
    2,200 m
    Time
    9–10 h

    Via ferrata – not for beginners

    Rating and time in detail

    DAV brochure: "I, C"; bergsteigen.com: via ferrata C (one C passage at the glacier-to-rock transition), otherwise B/C to A

    Time: about 9–10 h total (bergsteigen.com: 9:40 h, of which 5 h via ferrata)

    6 sections, turnaround points and huts in the pack

  • Stopselzieher

    Stopselzieher / Wiener-Neustädter-Hütte (Austrian route)

    Distance
    8 km
    Ascent
    2,015 m
    Time
    6–7 h

    Via ferrata – experienced people with a via ferrata set only

    Rating and time in detail

    DAV tour tip: via ferrata A/B; DAV brochure: "I, A"

    Time: 6–7 h from Eibsee, of which about 2.5 h via ferrata (DAV tour tip); from Obermoos 1735 m / 5 km

    5 sections, turnaround points and huts in the pack

Who it is for

According to the DAV, Reintal and Gatterl are meant for fit, sure-footed hikers with a head for heights; alpine experience is explicitly required.

Read more

Both routes involve 2100–2300 m of ascent, very steep scree on the Zugspitzplatt and short cable-protected rock passages below the summit. Feasible for people who can safely manage 1600 m of ascent and 6 hours of climbing in one day and have already hiked marked mountain trails above 2000 m. Not suitable for beginners without mountain experience, for children, with snow on the Platt or in uncertain weather. Höllental and Stopselzieher are via ferratas and not suitable for beginners; the Höllental additionally requires glacier equipment.

Closures and season

Höllentalklamm gorge: closed in winter, depending on snow often opens only in early June (Bergwelten). Hut seasons: Reintalangerhütte mid-May to mid-October, Knorrhütte end of May to mid-October, Münchner Haus May to September, Höllentalangerhütte mid-May to mid-October, Wiener-Neustädter-Hütte mid-June to early/mid-October (DAV brochure, Bergwelten). Seilbahn Zugspitze and Gletscherbahn: maintenance closures 9–13 Nov, 16–20 Nov and 23–26 Nov 2026; summer fares valid until 22 Nov 2026. Ehrwalder Almbahn and Tiroler Zugspitzbahn: summer operation 14 May to 8 Nov 2026. Best time according to the DAV: early June to end of September.

What the pack contains

  • Every route in sections, with danger spots26 sections
  • Turnaround points with reasons12 points
  • Packing list: required per route, recommended by date17 items
  • Getting there, parking, lifts11 entries
  • Weather rules: when not to go10 rules
  • Day plan with times11 steps
  • Common mistakes8
  • All sources with dates14

This is the public overview. After purchase you get every section, the full gear list, travel details, weather rules and the day plan.

Available soon Sales start shortly. Until then you can look at the overview.

€14.90 one-time

Available soon

Sales start shortly. Until then you can look at the overview.