Eisenzeit – Zugspitze North Face: Mountaineer beside an old tunnel opening in the rock.

Eisenzeit – Zugspitze North Face

An easy climb through the north face of the Zugspitze.

Request this tour

Overview

Difficulty
beginner
Participants
1–2 participants
Duration
1 day
Best season
July to October
Price
from €280 per person
Location
Eibsee, Garmisch

About this tour

The Eisenzeit route through the north face of the Zugspitze follows the historic line once used by the workers who built the cogwheel railway to the summit. Numerous remains along the route still bear witness to the construction work, and some sections even lead through the inside of the mountain. The tour is extremely varied, combining enjoyable climbing passages with old, shaky and rusty ladders to create an exciting mixture of alpine climbing and via ferrata. Near the end of the route, two or three abseils lead to the Höllental via ferrata, which is then followed to the summit of the Zugspitze. During the descent by the Eibsee cable car, you get another impressive view of the wall you have just climbed. The tour is best planned for a weekday or in autumn, as the Höllental via ferrata becomes extremely crowded on summer weekends.

Photos from the tour

Eisenzeit – Zugspitze North Face: Mountaineer beside an old tunnel opening in the rock.
Eisenzeit – Zugspitze North Face: Mountaineers on an approach between forest and rock wall.
Eisenzeit – Zugspitze North Face: Roped climber on a grey rock wall.
Eisenzeit – Zugspitze North Face: Climber ascending stepped rock.
Eisenzeit – Zugspitze North Face: Climber overcoming a steep rock step.
Eisenzeit – Zugspitze North Face: Mountaineer with helmet and rope in a rock tunnel.
Eisenzeit – Zugspitze North Face: Roped climber below a rock overhang.
Eisenzeit – Zugspitze North Face: Climber on the final rock steps before the ridge.
Eisenzeit – Zugspitze North Face: View along a steep rock wall across surrounding peaks.

Itinerary

We meet early in the morning at the valley station of the Eibsee cable car. The approach takes us past the Riffelriß station and onwards to the start of the route. We continue on a short rope and by moving together, with the difficulty only briefly reaching the upper third grade and rarely exceeding it. The pieces of old scrap metal scattered along the route help with navigation and also give the tour its name. Once we reach the ridge, we abseil onto the Höllental via ferrata and follow it to the summit of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. The Eibsee cable car takes us comfortably back into the valley, offering another perfect view of the route we have just climbed. The tour takes approximately six to eight hours.

Requirements

You should be confident climbing lower UIAA grade III as the second climber. A good general level of fitness is required.

For this tour, you need good fitness for a long day of climbing, including an approach of around 1.5 hours. You should feel comfortable on easy rocky terrain up to UIAA grade II and be able to follow shorter climbing sections in the upper third grade.

beginner
intermediate
advanced

Fitness

Technique

Experience

Equipment

Please refer to my equipment list for guided climbing tours for everything you need. Climbing shoes are not required.

Depending on the conditions, approach shoes or lightweight mountaineering boots are recommended.

Open equipment list (PDF)

Booking and enquiry

Would you like to do this tour on your own or with your own group of up to 2 people? Send me a no-obligation request with your preferred date.

Request this tour

Prices & services

  • 1 participant
    €540.00 per person
  • 2 participants
    €280.00 per person

Included

Planning and guiding by a certified mountain and ski guide
Any required rental equipment

Not included

Accommodation for you and your mountain guide
Any cable car and lift pass costs for you and your mountain guide
The mountain guide’s expenses

Frequently asked questions about this tour

What happens if I need to cancel my tour?

Please note that a tour becomes binding once both parties have confirmed it. In the event of a cancellation at short notice, I reserve the right to charge a percentage of the guiding fee as a cancellation fee. You can find detailed information in my cancellation policy. Payment is usually made by invoice after the tour.

What happens if the weather does not cooperate?

Together, we will find an alternative in another region or postpone the tour. There are no additional costs for you in this case.

Is rental equipment available?

Yes, I can provide the technical equipment you need, such as a climbing harness, helmet, crampons or avalanche safety equipment. The relevant tour description and equipment lists explain exactly what is required and what you may need to bring yourself. If you are unsure what you need, simply get in touch – I will be happy to advise you.

Eisenzeit – Zugspitze North Face: View along a steep rock wall across surrounding peaks.

Through Eisenzeit to the Zugspitze?

Request this tour

Unsure?

It is especially important to me that the tour suits you – both your fitness and your experience. If you are unsure, please get in touch! In a short phone call, we can work out together whether this tour is right for you. This gives us the best foundation for a safe and enjoyable mountain experience.

0043 (0) 66475109630

More rock climbing tours for you

Mountaineers with headlamps ascending through a snowy mountain landscape.

Instagram

You can also find insights into my tours and special moments in the mountains on Instagram.

View Instagram profile