Early June - Traveling by car from Füssen to Berchtesgaden where we’ll certainly be around lots of great alpine views and cable cars for a week…
-SO-
Assuming sunny weather at Zugspitze summit, Is it worth detouring for a train ride/gondola side trip?
/TLDR = Is Zugspitze that much “more” than the Berchtesgaden area peaks, that it’s worth it.
No. It's expensive and not that impressive. Look at it this way, if the border was in a different place and the Zugspitze was in Austria nobody would bother going there. If you already have other cable cars in you plans I'd say skip this one.
DJ
I spent a week in the area so I had lots of time. I really enjoyed the trip and the view. I guess it is all a matter of what types of experiences you are most interested in.
I really enjoyed it and was a highlight for me. Yes it’s Just a cable car up the mountain but I was there on a clear day and the views were awesome.
Being able to sit and have a couple Biers und Wurst was a lunch I’ll never forget.
Walking around and lounging by the glacier was cool as well. And the little chapel was interesting.
We took the cable car up and the cogwheel down.
To me it was with it and I’m glad I went. But I don’t live amongst the mountains
As an alternative, you could do Mt. Wank https://zugspitze.de/en/Mount-Wank/Summer
We did this, not wanting to battle the crowds at the Zugspitze. Bonus: you get to see the Zugspitze.
We love GaPa and had the same thoughts of "was it worth it.
We did it, and it was. The views are spectacular, and you can stop off at Lake Eibsee on the way down from the cable car, and then take the cog train back to the GaPa station.
We did the Zugspitze from the German side about 20 years ago. The weather cooperated and it was bright and sunny. The views were absolutely stunning. We had hot chocolate at the little cafe and it was delicious. I enjoyed it so much that when the wife and I went back a couple of years ago we planned to do the Zugspitze again, but from Ehrwald on the Austrian side. Unfortunately when we got there the cable car was closed for maintenance. I, personally, would do it if it is a sunny day. If it is overcast or very cloudy, don't even consider it.
We'll be in Munich next week and we definitely wanted to take a day trip to Zugspitze and Lake Eibsee.
Is it possible to do both and also hike through Partnach Gorge on a day trip?
I don't know what "/TLDR =" means.
I have been to the Zugspitze 2 or 3 times and enjoyed it each time. Both ways up are good. Wank was also good but a little less impressive.... the whole area is a most impressive area.
The gorge is excellent (and wet). I think 2 or 3 hours there. Then decide what else to do that day. I think you will run out of time, aaron611
We lived in Germany for four years and visited Garmisch many times. We have taken the cable car and cog train to the top of the Zugspitze.
Also, twice, I took my children on a two day hike up the Zugspitze. No special mountain climbing involved.
It was wonderful, great scenery. If you like hiking, consider it. If not, the cable car or cog train is good.
The view from the Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden is awesome, it is hard to beat that view. The Zugspitze is different, but still worth it.
TLDR= “too long didn’t read”. It’s a way of saying “here’s the nub”
Thanks to all who responded. I’m looking at weather reports and thinking it would not matter anyway. Our hiking and outdoorsy trip might be more museums and playing board games the way the forecast is looking.
If the weather is not looking good one rainy day alternative is the Markus Wasmeier Freilichtmuseums. It's a cool folk museum with lots of traditional structures.
the train line between GaP and Munich is closed due to a major accident and will remain so perhaps into your time there, depending on what early June means. The adjacent road is too. There will be replacement buses but those are more difficult for tourists with luggage. Assuming you leave your luggage you may be able to find a way around that part.
We will be picking up a rental car for this part of the trip.
I went up the Zugspitze late May 2001. We were basically the only tourists up there, because it was still cool on the mountain. (Dress appropriately, warm enough for cold breezes on the mountain.) We were trying to decide whether to have a beer and pretzel when we started talking to the men from the Munchner House hut. It was the 100 year anniversary of the hut, and we sat and talked with the folks having lunch. We had a great time chatting, talking about the area. They gave us some commemorative pins, and we gave them bags of Reeses peanut butter cups. The views were breathtaking, and the cable car was an engineering feat, but the conversation with the local folks was definitely the best part for us. 👍 from me.
We did a trip to Zugspitze last fall when we stayed in Mittenwald. Afterwards, we didn't think it was worth the cost. Great views, but similar views are available for less. Just my humble opinion.
An alternative to the summit on a sunny day is a stop in Ehrwald, Austria and take the lift to the Ehrwalder Alm. A walk through the golf course between Ehrwald and Lermoos with the Zugspitz and the Ehrwalder Sonnenspitze is very nice and you are in Tirol too.
https://webtv.feratel.com/webtv/?cam=5742&design=v3&c0=0&c2=1&c27=1&c3=0&c5=0&c8=0&c12=0&c13=0&lg=en&pg=121E2E32-862A-4791-8936-B41853615FB6&s=0
