Best time to visit the Zugspitze?

Currently, our itinerary has us visiting the Walderlebniszentrum Ziegelwies treetop walkway in the morning (http://www.baumkronenweg.eu/) before heading to the Zugspitze around noon. Is that a good time to visit?

It depends on the prevailing weather conditions. Alpine weather can change drastically witin an hour's time, and there's absolutely no way to predict this far out what you will experience. In general, mornings are more likely to be clear than afternoons, but this is not a hard-and-fast rule.

Don't worry about crowds and don't try to plan this tightly in advanced. If ascending Zugspitze is a priority, just go at the first opportunity that the fickle weather gods allow.

Tom is right. Weather rules. If its not a glorious sunny day, never waste your time going up any mountain. Plan a bad weather option, which in your case seems to be going to Fussen, but why Fussen, a second rate sight when a couple miles east of Fu--en is one of the EU's great sights-- two of Mad King Ludwig's palaces. The view of Neuschwanstein from the valley floor is unforgettable. The tour is impressive, and for exercise, climb up to the Marienbruke bridge to view the castle from above (especially good at sunset) or take a hike around the lake where King Ludwig was accidentally drowned by members of his staff.

accidentally drowned

or not.

Absolutely agree - pounce on clear weather for summit visits, low altitude activities suffer much less in marginal weather or overcast.

or take a hike around the lake where King Ludwig was accidentally drowned by members of his staff.

And another correction... the lake where Ludwig's body was found is Starnbergersee, just to the south of Munich. Not the Alpsee, which is the one right by Hohenschwangau.

Regarding weather and mountains, do what the locals do and check the webcams before you go:

http://zugspitze.de/en/news/weather/panoramakameras

Many times it can be overcast in the valley but sunny above the clouds.

DJ

Monday 12 Sep 16 is the last Bavarian school holiday day for the summer. Bavaria is the latest German State for summer vacation. Looks like 10 Sep 16 is the last Austrian States summer vacation too. I would guess that anytime in September from Sunday 11 Sep 16 will be less crowded and the "High Season" is over. As far as time of day good question. Early morning and late afternoon the Gondles are not running. There are days when the summit is clear and the valleys are fogged in or bad weather. I assume guess you are going to the Zugspitz Arena and Ehrwald. I agree that webcams are you friend as a trip to the top of the Zugspitz is not cheap.

http://www.zugspitze.at/en/home/
http://www.foto-webcam.eu/webcam/zugspitze/
http://www.foto-webcam.eu/webcam/bzb-gipfel/

Thanks, everyone! General consensus is I should check the weather report and cams and take advantage of good weather. I've already made reservations to see the King's castles another day; are there better options than Fussen? Maybe Plansee lake?

I"ve never been to Plansee. Now that I see it it looks like some Win 10 desktop Pics I've seen. It also looks a bit remote. Thankz for bringing it to my attention and iI will look into it for a future trip...

http://www.allgaeu-ausfluege.de/plpaherbst.htm

Haha, windows 10 desktop! I can't say that I disagree with that though, it does look quite appealing. If I end up going, I may give an update later on :)