Germany's highest peak with summit wine terrace

The Zugspitze is Germany's highest peak at 2,962m, offering panoramic views of four countries from its summit terrace. The glacier skiing is Germany's most reliable, and the summit restaurant serves Bavarian and Austrian wines with incomparable Alpine panoramas.

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1 Find the Cross That Survived 14 Lightning Strikes AND Hitler's Bullets History · Free

   On August 12, 1851, twenty-eight bearers hauled a 14-foot gilded iron cross up through Partnachklamm gorge at a cost of 610 Gulden, 37 Kreuzer. In 1881, it took FOURTEEN lightning strikes before they moved it. Then in WWII, it took gunfire damage — bullet holes still visible in the original cross, now displayed in Werdenfels Museum. The replica you're looking at (installed 1993) stands at the ONLY place in Germany where you can see four countries at once. Take the Eibsee cable car or 1930 Zahnradbahn to the summit (2,962m), walk to the German side viewing platform, and stand beneath that golden cross looking south to Italy, west to Switzerland, north into Germany, east into Austria — 400 peaks visible on clear days, 250km in every direction.

   Backup: If weather obscures the four-country view, focus on the cross itself and its survival story. The original (with bullet holes) is in Werdenfels Museum in Garmisch - worth visiting if you're staying overnight.

   Log Memory
2. 2 Toast Germany's Last Glaciers at 2,962 Meters Wine · Price: moderate

   You're at Germany's ONLY glacier ski area, witnessing climate change in real time. There are only FOUR glaciers left in all of Germany. TWO are here on Zugspitze — the Nördlicher Schneeferner and Höllentalferner. The Südliche Schneeferner LOST glacier status in 2022, and scientists predict the Nördlicher Schneeferner will lose classification around 2030. Cross the border walkway to the Austrian side and enter Panorama 2962 restaurant with their motto "The best from 4 countries." Ask: "What Austrian wine do you recommend to toast the glacier?" Order it with Apfelstrudel, sit at a window table facing the Schneeferner glacier. This is the highest wine you'll drink in Germany, looking at ice that might not exist in 5 years.

   Backup: If the restaurant is too crowded, there's a Panorama Kaffeebar for coffee and cake. The Münchner Haus DAV hut (German side, 2,959m) serves beer and traditional hut food - not as wine-focused but run by the Zwinger family, 4th generation since 2024, 100-year family tradition.

   Log Memory
3. 3 Descend via Hitler's Railway Adventure · Free · Optional

   The twin villages of Garmisch and Partenkirchen were FORCED to merge in 1935 for Hitler's 1936 Winter Olympics — the Games where Alpine skiing debuted and Nazis temporarily removed antisemitic signage for international visitors. The cogwheel railway you're about to ride was built in perfect timing: opened in three stages (1929-1930) RIGHT BEFORE the Olympic decision, positioning Garmisch as the ideal host. Board at the summit station for the 45-minute descent through the 4,466-meter Zugspitze Tunnel carved in 1930, emerging at Zugspitzplatt, then continuing past turquoise Eibsee lake. This is one of only FOUR rack railways still operating in Germany, and your round-trip ticket covers any ascent/descent combination.

   Backup: If taking the cogwheel down, get off at Eibsee station for a 30-minute lake walk before continuing to Garmisch. If you're in a rush, cable car descent is 15 minutes.

   Log Memory

Insider tips

• Take the cog railway up and cable car down (or vice versa) for two different experiences

• The Panorama 2962 restaurant has an excellent Austrian wine selection

• Clear days offer views to Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and across Bavaria