Why Eibsee and Zugspitze Should Be On Your Bucket List?
Eibsee Lake & Zugspitze (Germany’s highest mountain) are located next to each other on the German Austrian border. A perfect spot for a photoshoot. Here are some other reasons for visiting.
Where to stay?
We stayed at the Eibsee Hotel. The location was incredible as the Hotel was right on the lake. Our room had a balcony with a view of the lake and mountains. Unfortunately, it was cloudy and raining. However, this meant that the lighting was soft for photography, it wasn’t too busy and much more peaceful. The hotel had a wellness centre next to the lake so we could go directly from the sauna/relaxing lounge/pool to the lake. The hotel had stand up paddle boards that we could use for free.
Alternatively the next big town is Garmisch Partenkirschen. The drive is about 20 minutes away by car and has more accommodation options.
Every time we come to this area we go to a restaurant called Bräustüberl Garmisch. It is one of our favourite traditional German restaurants. The food is delicious and the old traditional interior is beautiful.
How to get there?
At Eibsee there is a paid car park, alternatively, you can take the train from Garmisch Partenkirchen. From the German side, there are 2 ways up and down from the mountain. You can take the cogwheel train or cable car. The train takes longer (45 minutes) and runs every hour. It takes you through a steep tunnel and stops at the lower level. From here you have a short uphill walk to the Gletscherbahn cable car that takes you to the summit. The cable car from Eibsee takes you directly to the summit in 10 minutes and runs every 30 minutes. We suggest taking the cable car up and the cogwheel train down. There is also a cable car from the Austrian side.
Hours of operation: Sep to June 8.30 - 16.45, July to Aug 8:00 - 17:45
Price (round trip): 59,50 € (summer), 49,50 € (winter)
Top of Germany
The Zugspitze summit is at 2,962 metres and is home to 3 glaciers. Although there is not much evidence of this in summer as they are melting away. We have been up to the Zugspitze once before for skiing in the Winter. It is an awesome mountain to ski on with no trees, lots of snow, many different runs, and spectacular views.
We were models for a wedding photoshoot with an amazing photographer, Claudi from Lichttrunken. She took the photos that are on this blog post. We got this opportunity through Instagram. The dress was from Esther Hofmann Bridal.
We took the cable car up to the highest peak where there is a 360-degree panoramic view. With good weather, you could see the hundreds of peaks from Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Buildings and steel walkways cover the summit. For those that are brave enough, you can climb up ladders and precarious peaks to the Golden Summit Cross. There was a long line to climb up to get the ultimate photo opportunity. Most people had mountaineering equipment (helmet, spikes, ropes etc.).
From the top, we took the short Gletscherbahn cable car down. From here we walked up the rocky path past the Maria Heimsuchung Chapel, up to the thin layer of ice and stone stacks.
From this lower station in Summer, you can also slide down the natural snow on a Zipfelbob sledge, explore the Glacier Adventure Trail and climb in the Zugspitze Alpinpark. Enjoy a drink in the beer garden at the Gletscherrestaurant Sonnalpin or inside at the summit Panorama Lounge.
Walk around the beautiful Eibsee
After the photoshoot at the summit of Zugspitze we took the cogwheel train down to Eibsee. We found a lovely spot with the Zugspitze in the background. The funnest part was having our photos taken while playing in the water.
The next day we had a relaxing 8km walk around the lake. The best part of the lake is the Northside. The water is so clear, the colour is a beautiful blue and there are little islands scattered around the lake. From the Northside you have the spectacular view of the Zugspitze which can be reflected from the water on a calm day.
We hope this blog helped you with your planning. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask!