Visiting The Alpspitze Mountain Peak by Cable Car and Hiking in Germany- The Alpspitze Cable Car, also known as Alpspitzbahn, is on the Alpspitze mountain, at 2,628 meters, in Bavaria, Germany. The mountain’s pyramidal peak is the symbol of Garmisch-Partenkirchen town. Even though Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany, Alpspitze right next to it gets a ton of attention for its cable cars, stunning views, hikes and skiing. This article will give you all you need to know, prices, times what to do at the top, hikes at the top to the bottom and much more about the Alpspitzbahn, Hochalmbahn and the Kreuzeckbahn cable cars.
Overview
How To Get There To The Cable Car Station
Our Route (Cable Car + Hike Down)
Other Hikes In The Area That You Might Like
Other Things To Do in the Area
Other Articles You May Be Interested In
When To Go
The summer will give you better temperatures to be able to walk around more and enjoy the views with a more mild temperature. You can enjoy the restaurants and biergarten in the warmer months.
The winter will be colder, but if you are interested in skiing down from one of the highest points in Germany then this is perfect for you. Prices may vary for the winter season. Use this link to check winter season ski prices. I bet the mountain views are incredible from the top, covered in snow.
In either scenario make sure you go on a clear day. We had a good day at the top of Zugspitze but didn’t get lucky for a clear view at Alpspitze. Not much to see if it’s cloudy the entire time you are there. I wouldn’t think it would be worth your money to go if you ant see anything.
Where To Stay
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is where we stayed when visiting Alpspitze. This was super close to getting to Alpspitze and an adorable ski town. The town had many restaurants and shopping areas. You can also visit this area very easily as a day trip from Munich or Innsbruck. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a great area. I would highly recommend staying a few days there as you can spend a full day on this mountain alone.
How To Get There To The Cable Car Station
By Car
The Garmisch Partenkirchen areas can be accessed as a day trip from many other sightseeing locations in Germany and Italy.
Munich
About an 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Munich to the Garmisch Partenkirchen area.
Innsbruck
About an 1 hour drive from Innsbruck to the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area
Berchtesgaden
We came to stay in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area for a few days from Berchtesgaden, which was about a 2.5 hour drive.
Parking
The parking lot was free when we visited in 2018. You can also use this parking lot to have access to the Hochalmbahn cable car as well. The bottom of the Alpspitzbahn and Hochalmbahn are a walkable distance from each other.
By Public Transportation
Munich
There is a train from Munich to Garmisch Partenkirchen every hour. For more information visit Deutsche Bahn or ÖBB.
You will get off at the Hausberg stop. From the train station you can walk around the base of the mountain through the field on the trail to the Alpspitzbahn, which would be about a 30 minute walk. You can also hire a taxi. The train station will be right by the Hausbergbahn Cable Car if not wanting to walk. This cable car will take you to a mountain peak with a restaurant and hiking areas. Read more about this cable car here.
The Cable Cars, Time & Costs
The Cable Cars
Alpspitzbahn Cable Car
The Alpspitzbahn Cable Car will take you up to 2050 meters to the Osterfelderkopf, the summit in Wetterstein range mountains. At the top there is a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy a small meal or beer. There are also many hiking trails along with the AlpspiX overlooking viewing platforms. This cable car will hold quite a few people up, so try to get a space by a window if you can.
Kreuzeckbahn Cable Car
This Kreuzeckbahn cable car station is located right by the Alpspitzbahn Cable Car, so you can make a loop and use the same parking lot if returning on the round trip ticket. This cable car takes you up 1650 meters, so a little lower than the Alpspitzbahn. There are hiking paths up to Alpspitzbahn and to Hochalmbahn to make a round trip in either direction.
Hochalmbahn
The Hochalmbahn cable car will lessen your hiking distance in between the Alpspitzbahn and Kreuzeckbahn cable cars. The distance is not too long so I would recommend hiking in between these too if you can. This cable car holds just enough for a small ground for a family. Drinks and light fare might be found here as well.
Prices of the Cable Car
(Summer 2020 Prices)
*Check here for current ticket prices.
Garmisch Classic Ticket
Includes one mountain ascent and descent, either in the form of a round trip with the Alpspitzbahn, Hochalmbahn and Kreuzeckbahn cable cars, or just with the Alpspitz-/Hochalmbahn or the Kreuzeckbahn cable cars.
Adults 29,00 Euros
Youth (16-18 years) 23,00 Euros
Children (6-15 years) 15,00 Euros
Ascent or descent only (one way) Ticket
This is for an ascent OR descent on the Kreuzeckbahn or Alpspitzbahn Cable Cars. Best for the hiker that wants to hike up or down the mountain one way. We went up on the Alpspitzbahn Cable Car and hiked down.
Adults 17,50 Euros
Youth (16-18 years) 14,00 Euros
Children (6-15 years) 10,00 Euros
2 Peak Pass
This pass includes a ticket to the Zugspitze Cable Car and a Garmisch Classic Ticket. Buy the pass the first day and then you can use the second day at any time in the same season that year.
Adults 71,00 Euros
Youth (16-18 years) 57,00 Euros
Children (6-15 years) 36,50 Euros
They also offer discounts for families. Check out their prices for summer discounts and updated prices on their price page on their website.
Times of the Cable Cars
Opening hours Alpspitze cable car
March – June: 08:30 – 17:00
July – Sept.: 08:00 – 17:30
Oct. – Feb.: 08:30 – 16:30
Last ascent 30 minutes prior to end of service
Runs at least every 30 minutes. And sometimes even further rides on demand.
Journey time is about 9 minutes total.
What To Do At The Top
AlpspiX Overlook Platform
AlpspiX or also called Aussichtsplattform is a viewing platform to see for miles over the Bavaria Alps. Just above the summit station of the Alpspitzbahn cable car, two steel beams form a floating X over a vertical drop of almost 1,000 meters.
Restaurant
Get a bite to eat and a German beer at their biergarten, they have some at almost every cable car station at the top of the mountain.
Hike
So many hiking trails to choose from, from short hikes, day hikes and over night hikes. Or even try out a via ferrata!
Ski
If going in the winter months you can ride up and ski down! What a dream.
Our Route (Cable Car + Hike Down)
We decided to ride the cable car up and hike down, being that we went later in the afternoon. We were not sure if we would be able to complete many hikes at the top and make the last car down. So we decided to ride up Alpspitzbahn and hike down. It ended up being the best way to see the mountain. We got to see the top and walk over mountain peaks, see the valley and walk through wildflowers and cow pastures. We hiked this route that we chose down, I think it would be even more amazing if we had a more clear day.
Length: 5.97 miles
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Intermediate
Elevation: 4,575 feet decent
Trailhead: Top of Alpspitzebahn Cable Car Platform
Since it was evening with chances of light showers we got started pretty much right away after getting off of Alpspitzebahn. We did take a few minutes to check out the overlooks at AlpspiX. It was foggy and cloudy so we didn’t see a thing, that’s when checking the weather for the best day helps.
After those over looks we got on our way to Hupfleitenjoch.
Hupfleitenjoch
We didn’t start this route normally, we actually took a side trail to see Hupfleitenjoch. We saw this spot on the way up in the cable car and thought it looked like a cool overlook. Glad we took this route, it was a great spot and a perfect place for a snack break before the trek down the mountain. After this we took the same loop back up to the Hochalmbahn station to start the rest of the trek down.
Hochalmweg Trail
After we made our way back up to the Hochalmweg Trail, making a loop. This trail is a very well maintained path, many use this trail to connect to the Kreuzeckbahn cable car station. So widely used and heavily trafficked.
Kreuzeckbahn
If going during the day the Kreuzeckbahn cable car station has a great restaurant and hiking area as well. From here we stated our major descent down the mountain to the bottom. Hiking mostly under the cable cars, weaving in a out of the forests and meadows. I believe this was mostly under the Kandahar-Abfahrt cars.
As we got to the bottom we came close to many different cow pastures and the cows walking through the woods. The trail also started to become steeps with lose gravel, this is where my hiking poles definitely came in handy.
Eventually we came out of the woods and could see the parking lot and cable car station at the bottom.
Other Hikes on Alpspitze
There are so many hikes at the top of Alpspitze. Check out their site to find come various ones. You can choose to leisurely walk around the tops and seeing the viewing platforms. Or do a hike like us from top to bottom. You can even hike to Zugsptize!
Other Hikes In The Area That You Might Like
Visit Zugspitze
You will be so close to the highest peak in Germany! And could drink a beer at the high biergarten in the world! Check out everything to know about the Zugspitze Cable Cars and Viewing Platforms.
Hike/Walk Around Lake Eibsee
We paired our trip to Zugspitze with a hike around Lake Eibsee in the afternoon. This leisurely walk took about 90 minutes. Very much worth the stop at Lake Eibsee.
Via Ferrata
If you love a good adrenaline rush check out via ferratas, or also known as Klettersteigs. They are a fix rope hike, we did the Grunstein Klettersteig near Berchtesgarten. If staying in this area only check out the Alpspitz Ferrata.
Partnachklamm Gorge Hike
Visit the Partnachklamm Gorge. Unfortunately this was closed when we went due to a landslide. But it looks like a beautiful hike, and they have other hikes to biergartens in this area.
What To Bring
Water: we each filled 2 liter water bladder
Electrolytes: to help with dehydration and altitude sickness I like to use a hydration tablet (I love the Nuuns
Snacks: we like jerky sticks, a peanut butter sandwich, granola bars, and trailmix to bring on our hikes.
Hiking Poles: I like my Vasque Talus Hiking Shoes
DayPack: My favorite lightweight summer daypack is the Osprey Packs Daylite Daypack
Hat/sunglasses: not much shade at the top of the trail.
Sunscreen
Other Things To Do in the Area
Visit The Town
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is such a great ski town, with lots of restaurant options. Along with some bars, lots of shopping and adorable bed and breakfasts.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is about an hour drive from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. You can tour or hike around this 19th century castle. We paired their with a trip to Andech’s Brewery for a full day trip.
Andech’s Monk Brewery
Visit Germany’s Monk Brewery for some cold brews and delicious classic German food. This is about an one hour drive from the Garmisch Area.
Hilter’s Eagle’s Nest
Another day trip would be to see the historic site of Hitler’s Eagles Nest. This is near Berchtesgaden, Germany. You could also pair this day trip to see the town, Lake Konigssee or even Halstatt.
Lake Konigssee
This lake is absolutely stunning! It is about a 2.5 hour drive from Garmisch. I would highly recommend a day to see this lake and complete a few short hikes around it.
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