Are there food options for vegetarians and vegans?

If you'd like to eat a vegetarian meal, it's usually available at most accommodations. Vegan options are harder to find in huts, but we'll let you know about them in advance so you can plan accordingly.

We do not demand that you have insurance before booking, but it is advisable to do. Joining the Austrian Alpine Club gets you covered in case anything unexpected happens to you on your way.

What kind of accommodation do the mountain huts provide?

Mountain huts are not luxurious, but they are cozy and comfortable. You will not lack a warm bed, delicious meals, and toilets. They offer private rooms and dormitories, so you should be prepared to book enough time in advance if you do not want to share a room with other people. Read more about the Austrian mountain huts .

The Zugspitze Circuit

7 days / 6 nights

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Circumnavigate Germany's highest peak on the Zugspitze Circuit, a cozy inn-to-inn hike, exploring alpine gorges, crystal-clear lakes, and valleys.

Starting point

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Finish point

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Season

From May to October

Technical level

2/5

Fitness level

3/5

Tour type

Inn-to-Inn

Circumnavigate Germany's highest peak on the Zugspitze Circuit, a cozy inn-to-inn hike, exploring alpine gorges, crystal-clear lakes, and valleys.

Starting point

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Finish point

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Season

From May to October

Technical level

2/5

Fitness level

3/5

Tour type

Inn-to-Inn

Walk through the iconic Partnach Gorge with rushing waterfalls and narrow rock walls
Explore the serene Leutasch Valley framed by the towering Wetterstein mountains
Cross into Austria on a scenic trail through the dramatic Leutasch Gorge
Enjoy panoramic views of Zugspitze from the tranquil shores of Eibsee
Indulge in traditional Bavarian cuisine like dumplings, sausages, and fresh mountain cheeses
Traverse lush valleys and alpine meadows, tranquil forests and crystal-clear mountain lakes

Itinerary of the trip

Upon arrival in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you will find yourself in a historic alpine town surrounded by the stunning peaks of the Bavarian Alps, including Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. Garmisch, with its lively center, offers a mix of traditional Bavarian architecture and modern amenities, while Partenkirchen retains a more rustic feel with narrow cobbled streets and frescoed buildings that date back to the 15th century. This town serves as an excellent base for your hiking circuit around Zugspitze.

Accommodation

Bavaria Biohotel

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

Your hiking tour begins with a scenic walk through the famous Partnach Gorge, where the Partnach River has carved an 80-metre-deep crevasse into the rock of the Wetterstein massif. The gorge is safely accessible with two maintained trails, offering dramatic views of waterfalls and rushing waters. As you leave the gorge, the rugged landscape transitions to rolling hills and alpine pastures. You’ll follow this tranquil route, passing picturesque meadows and open valleys and making your way towards the charming village of Mittenwald.

Hiking

19 km and 600 m of elevation gain / 380 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Alpenhotel Rieger

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

Today's hike takes you across the border into Austria, leading through the impressive Leutasch Gorge. The path, carved into steep rock walls, is a marvel of stone masonry, with bold wooden footbridges that cross the Leutascher Ache River up to 40 meters above the raging waters. What follows is a serene walk along the turquoise river winding out of the forest and into the wide-open Leutasch Valley. Passing through hamlets and meadows dotted with flowers, you'll be treated to spectacular views of the Wetterstein massif in the background. The day concludes in the peaceful Leutasch Valley.

Hiking

14.5 km and 270 m of elevation gain / 70 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hotel Alpennest

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

Today's hike leads you to the scenic Gaistal Valley. During the summer, the valley is home to grazing Haflinger horses, brown and grey cattle, and Scottish Galloways. Along the way, there's a chance to spot wildlife such as roe deer, red deer, and chamois while golden eagles nest high in the rock faces of the Wetterstein mountains. Following the well-trodden Ganghofer path, you will ascend towards the Ehrwalder Alm. This area was once the retreat of Bavarian author Ludwig Ganghofer, who found solace in its serene alpine environment.

Hiking

17 km and 670 m of elevation gain / 50 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Hochfeldern Alm

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

The day begins with a descent toward Ehrwald, followed by an ascent along forest paths on the northwest side of the Zugspitze, where the first highlight is the Eibseeblick viewpoint. The trail then turns downwards again and brings you directly to the shores of Eibsee, where stunning views of the crystal-clear water framed by the towering Zugspitze in the background await. If you wish to extend the day, there’s an opportunity to take the cable car to the Zugspitze summit itself, where the breathtaking 360-degree view showcases peaks across four countries.

Hiking

17 km and 600 m of elevation gain / 1350 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Eibsee Hotel

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

The final day begins with a gentle path along the lake’s shore, providing panoramic views of the water and the surrounding Zugspitze massif. The path transitions into forested trails as you head toward Grainau. Then, the trail follows a series of well-maintained paths and forest roads that wind through the region, descending steadily as you approach Garmisch. Along the way, you'll pass through quiet woodlands with occasional open stretches. The final section takes you through some suburban areas before reaching the heart of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Hiking

13 km and 150 m of elevation gain / 450 m of elevation loss

Accommodation

Bavaria Biohotel

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

Today, you will have the opportunity to relax and perhaps take in any last sights, such as the historic Partenkirchen district or a final walk through the nearby Partnach Gorge. When you're ready to depart, your transfer can be arranged from your accommodation, ensuring a smooth journey to your next destination. Garmisch-Partenkirchen's excellent connections to Munich and Innsbruck, by train and car, make it convenient for onward travel after your hiking holiday.

Gallery

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What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

5 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast

1 night in a mountain hut with half-board

Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information

GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app

Tour design and organization

Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Airport transfer

Extra nights

Hotel upgrades

Luggage transfer

Single supplement

What to bring to the tour

Hiking shoes/boots
25 to 45-liter backpack
Base layer
Sports T-shirts
Hiking shorts
Hiking water-repellent pants
Waterproof jacket
Midlayer
Sports socks and underwear
Leisurewear for evenings
Down jacket
Gloves
Shade hat/cap

Warm headwear
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Headlamp
Hiking poles
ID card or passport
Snacks
Cash
Water bottles or hydration pack
Sleeping liner
Toiletries
Toilet paper
Small first aid kit

The Zugspitze Circuit offers a captivating journey around Germany's highest mountain, Zugspitze, combining the serenity of alpine valleys with the thrill of mountain landscapes.

This hike is designed for those looking to enjoy scenic walking without the challenges of steep, technical climbs, as it stays within the lower altitude paths that circle Zugspitze.

The circuit starts and ends in the charming alpine town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, renowned for its blend of Bavarian history and stunning mountain views. From there, you'll venture on an inn-to-inn adventure, taking you through diverse landscapes such as lush valleys, alpine pastures, mountain gorges, and tranquil lakeshores.

One of the highlights of the journey is the famous Partnach Gorge, where the trail runs through narrow crevices with the sound of rushing water echoing between towering rock walls.

Other key attractions include crossing into Austria to explore the impressive Leutasch Gorge, as well as relaxing in the picturesque Leutasch Valley surrounded by the peaks of the Wetterstein massif.

Despite being a relatively easy hike compared to more rugged hut-to-hut trails, the Zugspitze Circuit still offers breathtaking alpine scenery. With the added option to summit Zugspitze via a gondola ride from Eibsee, hikers can experience panoramic views stretching across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.

Accommodations are largely in comfortable valley hotels, with one night spent in a traditional mountain hut, offering a perfect balance between comfort and the rustic alpine experience.

Our services ensure that all logistics are taken care of, from booking accommodations to offering detailed maps, GPS navigation, and customer support. Additionally, we can arrange luggage transfers, making this an ideal choice for hikers looking for a seamless and enjoyable alpine experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

The hiking season usually lasts from mid-June to late September. It depends on the snow conditions in the higher sections of the Alps, as lots of hiking routes go over high mountain passes. You should check the current situation if you are visiting in early summer, especially for Stubai High Trail, as large parts of the route run above 2000 meters of elevation.

The huts close their doors once the season ends as well, so you cannot plan any multi-day tours outside this time window.

You can read more about the hiking season in Austria here.

We've rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5 — with 1 being the easiest and 5 the most difficult.

The difficulty level of a tour tells you how fit you need to be and how much hiking is involved. Most of our tours are appropriate for people who are regularly active and can hike for about five to seven hours per day.

Technical difficulty means how skilled you need to be to hike on the path. Level 1 means the trail is smooth and wide (like a gravel road), while 5 means the surface is uneven and exposed, and you have to use your hands to help yourself move forward. In practice, that means that the higher the level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.

You should book your tour as soon as possible, as many accommodations along the trail fill up quickly. That way, you can ensure that you have a place to stay.

In case of an injury, it is best to call the local emergency services. You might find yourself in the wilderness, unable to continue without worsening your situation.

Do not worry too much, though. You will be hiking along popular trails, so you will not get stranded even if something happens.

On the other hand, if you feel too tired to continue hiking, you can always stop in any of the towns and villages along the way and use public transport to get to where you want to be in Austria.

Most huts along our hut-to-hut hikes are equipped with showers, but they might be a matter of whether there has been any rainfall lately. Do not expect too much, as mountain huts are not luxurious hotels.

Ratings & Reviews

5.0 average rating

+15

Birgit Kindler

Verified customer · 1 year ago

We had a lovely hike today with our guide Klemen. He personalized the tour on our needs and interests, so that we saw places we wouldn't without his experience. The hike was a little bit slippery after the rain from the last days and it went a lot upwards, but it was totally worth it! Thanks again :)

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Claudia Ossa

Verified customer · 2 years ago

9 day hiking trip including rafting and mountain biking. Sadly the weather didn’t help, we had a lot of rain, but Klemen modified our plans, making it a great experience after all. Klemen is an excellent guide and I highly recommend him!!!

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Ann Swainson

Verified customer · 11 months ago

Thank you so much for a fantastic trip. It was absolutely stunning, well organised, and a brilliant trip. Special thanks to Jan for his kindness & support on what was a personally challenging trek.

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Robert Backlund

Verified customer · 11 months ago

Our Guide Luka was amazing! And the three-day hike was a Memory for life, really beautiful. Cant recommend it enough.

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Rebecca Lawson

Verified customer · 10 months ago

Our 3 day hike had to be rearranged 2/2 weather, so a one day hike was arranged for us. We appreciated the concern about weather and conditions. Our hike was with Matevz, who was a great guide. Very helpful and knowledgable. Would definitely recommend and will be back for a longer hike one day!

Nicole Cocks

Verified customer · 10 months ago

This trip was organized with every detail considered. Our accommodation, most meals and routes were planned each day which is perfect when the region is unknown and you have not completed a multi-day hike before. We had a great time!