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Behind the scenes

of Zugspitze 
Glacier & Technology

Guided tours on Zugspitze

only in summer season

Interested visitors can explore the world of ice on the plateau Zugspitze with the glacier guides. During the guided tour “Cable car of superlatives”, the Mountain Managers provide information about the world record cable car and the historic cogwheel train. 

Backgrounds & microcosm

Glacier tours

Accompanied by glacier guides, visitors can explore the ice worlds on the Zugspitze plateau. The trained staff provide background information on the glacier, give insights into the microcosm of the ice worlds and explain why this glacier is now threatened by climate change. 

  • When: during the summer season, daily at 11.00 am and 1.30 pm
  • Meeting point: Restaurant Sonnalpin main entrance; meeting point: souvenir kiosk
  • Duration: approx. 60 minutes
  • Please note:
    • Sturdy shoes are required.
    • In case of bad weather, indoor guided tours on the technology and history of the Cable car Zugspitze are offered as an alternative.
  • Price: The glacier tours are a free service of Bayerische Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG.

Glacier and climate excursion

with mountain school VIVALPIN

A glacier expert from the VIVALPIN mountain school takes interested guests on a journey through the history of the earth. Participants will discover traces of ice from the Würm Ice Age (11,000 years ago) to the present day: moraines and permafrost, glacial lakes, fossils from a bygone era and much more.

On the approximately two-hour excursion, guests learn many interesting facts, hike over glacier ice and explore the traces of the glaciers.

Guided tour

Cable car of superlatives

During the summer season, guided tours of the Cable car Zugspitze are offered every day. On these occasions, the mountain managers provide information on the background, technology, operation and maintenance of the cable car, as well as on the complex construction process and the three world records. In the “90 years of the cogwheel train” exhibition in the building of the top station, visitors can get detailed information about the traditional cogwheel train.

  • When: during the summer season, daily at 9.45 a.m. and 3.00 p.m
  • Meeting point: summit station right in front of the entrance to the Gletscherbahn cable car (floor E0).
  • Duration: approx. 45 minutes
  • Price: The glacier tours are a free service of Bayerische Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG.
  • As a supplement to the cable car tour, we recommend the “90 years of the cogwheel train” exhibition in the summit station.