Zugspitze (map) is the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains as well as the highest mountain in Germany. It lies south of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Three cable cars run to the top of the Zugspitze.
For those wishing to reach the summit under their own power, various hiking and ski trails can be followed to the top. Hiking to the top from the base takes between one and two days, or a few hours for the very fit. Zugspitzplatt via the Reintal or Gatterl. The easiest of the normal routes runs through the Reintal valley and is that followed during the first ascent. At the same time it is also the longest climb. Food and lodging is available on some trails.
The 12 best hikes around Eibsee (komoot.com)
+ More information > Wikipedia • Wikivoyage
At the Zugspitze’s summit is the Münchner Haus, a mountain hut (Alpenhütte), a facility built by the German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein).
On the German side, from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, climbers go either through the Höllental (“Valley of Hell”) or the Reintal. The way through the Reintal is the easiest, but also the longest and takes 8 to 10 hours. This path goes through the Partnachklamm, a scenic gorge, then through the Reintal up to the Zugspitzplatt, a barren plateau. from there up to the summit. Climbers can stay for the night at two alpine huts, the “Reintalangerhütte” or the “Knorrhütte”.
Außerfernbahn. It is a romantic train ride between Garmisch and Kempten (via Reutte in Austria) through picturesque Alpine valleys and cute towns. Bayern Ticket is valid along the entire route. You can access the Neuschwanstein Castle, at Füssen from the station Ulrichsbrücke-Füssen (a request stop, change in Reutte).
It takes about an hour to walk from this stop to Füssen. It takes about 1,5 hours to access Neuschwanstein Castle. Lindau, at Lake Constance (Bodensee), is around 1 hr 15 min from Kempten by regional trains.
+ Cable Car Zugspitze (zugspitze.de)
Garmisch is less than an hour by car from Munich. Also, trains leave to and from Munich every hour, and the (beautiful) ride lasts 80–90 minutes on the local and 60 minutes on the rush hour express.
BUS > Eibseebus + MeinFernbus | Stations & Destinations — Germany’s largest long-distance bus company. + Flixbus • Berlin Linien Bus • Postbus • MeinFernbus • DeinBus. Information on almost all bus routes in Germany – BUSRADAR.com. >> (*Intercity buses in Germany)
RAIL > Garmisch-Partenkirchen station / Bavarian Zugspitze Railway + Deutsche Bahn | German Rail Pass • VGN • RailEurope >> (*Rail travel in Germany)
AIRPORTS > Berlin Airport • Cologne Bonn Airport • Frankfurt Airport • Stuttgart Airport • Hamburg Airport • Munich Airport • Düsseldorf Airport
WATERWAYS > –
Germany is, in general, bicycle friendly, with many bike lanes in cities. There is also a substantial network of well signed, long distance bike routes BICYCLE ROUTE PLANNER GERMANY + Germany – EuroVelo)