Zugspitze - Germany's highest mountain

We were looking forward to being atop the Zugspitze (2,962 metres), Germany's highest mountain with views of the surrounding alps in Austria, Switzerland and Italy.  It was on our way to Fuessen and we were happy to see it from the bus, thinking our luck held out. The cable car to the top already gave us breathtaking views but as we neared the top, the clouds rolled in! By the time we were at the viewing platform, the surrounding countryside disappeared.  We were lucky we could still see the top of the Zugspitze with its golden cross and climbers posing at its foot after their successful climb up the mountain.

Apparently the mountain straddled Germany and Austria and you can cross the border right on the viewing platforms. It was too cold to stay outside to wait for the clouds to clear so we spent some time in the museum below. As luck would have it, just as we finished watching the video in the theatre and made our way up to the platform, the clouds cleared off for about 5-10 minutes on one side of the mountain giving us just enough time to take a few shots. Some people missed that window entirely so we considered ourselves lucky.  The return ticket to the top was quite expensive at 53 euros per person, so it would be nice to see a little more than clouds, although with the mountains one has to take one's chances.                              
On the way down, we saw some awesome views of the Eibsee Lake nearby and the dense forests surrounding. The countryside was a beautiful spring green.

The Zuspitze as seen from our bus - all clear! We thought it was quite safe to buy the lift ticket...

Gorgeous views of the surrounding valley and mountains on the way up to the Zugspitze as well as views of the side of the mountain

 

Mountaineers halfway up the mountain

The side of the mountain - this looked like the clenched fist of the giant...

And up we went into the clouds

We could no longer see the valley below

Even the summit was barely visible behind the clouds although this changed by the minute

Climbers making it to the top

Sculpture of man conquering mountain by Mario Gasser on the viewing platform

Line up for food on the viewing platform

A sudden opening of the clouds revealed the surrounding mountains in the distance but very quickly, it clouded over again

We saw at least one of the jagged peaks atop the Zugspitze...and then the clouds rolled in again

On our way down the mountain, just below the summit, we could see the surrounding mountains again

And the beautiful Eibsee Lake at the foot of the Zugspitze

We can actually see part of the Zugspitze clearly and the verdant forests on its slopes from the cable car

Back down on the valley floor, we headed to Fuessen, our next destination, surrounded once again by mountains.

Next post:  Fuessen