9,000′ Mountain Peak On Border of Germany and Austria (April 2001)
On April 9th, we headed south to Garmisch, Germany on the Austrian border. The big (and we do mean BIG – 9,000+ feet high) attraction there is Zugspitz, a mountain on the Germany/Austria border. It was the site of the Winter Olympics several years ago, and is a skier’s dream come true. Getting to the top required quite an adventure, starting with a regular train, then a cogwheel train (with a big toothed gear underneath that pulled the train along a special center track) to Eibsee. From there, we rode a cable-car (about the size of a small van) up to the top. At one point, we were several thousand feet above the ground, looking down on snowy peaks and valleys. Mom did really well – she’s not one for heights, you know. On the top, the observation building is half in Austria and half in Germany. There’s even an official border crossing with customs and a guard! We were blessed with a remarkably clear day, and could look out over hundreds of square miles of southern Germany and northern Austria.



Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a German ski resort in Bavaria, formed when 2 towns united in 1935. It’s a prominent destination for skiing and ice skating as well as hiking. The town lies near the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak, with a 2,962m summit accessed by cogwheel train and cable car. Garmisch is considered the more fashionable section, while Partenkirchen’s cobblestone streets retain a traditional Bavarian feel. ― Google
ZUGSPITZ – Highest Peak In Germany
The Zugspitz, at 2,962 m above sea level, is the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains as well as the highest mountain in Germany. It lies south of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the Austria–Germany border runs over its western summit. Wikipedia

The first leg to Zugspitz – the train!


And we mean the VERY top of the highest peak.


The lower station is visible several thousand feet below us. If the cable broke now, we would first drop about 2,000 feet, then roll all the way down and end up in the lake. Luckily, we had a safe trip!!!





The ribs are filled with bird food.


(Sorry about the glare through the window)



Let me guess – the forecast today is cold and snowy!
GARMISCH/PARTENKIRCHEN
After an enjoyable day exploring summit of Zugspitz, we decided to walk around the town of
Garmisch/Partenkirchen at the base of the mountain.



The stonework and window frames are all painted on a smooth stucco exterior.


Think he might have enough firewood for the winter?

Hope you enjoyed joining us for a tour of Garmisch and Zugspitz.