Top 5 Things To Do Around the Eibsee
Visiting the Eibsee had been on my bucket list for quite some time, and I finally visited the place this past Autumn. Now I’m here to tell you to go there too. Because no doubt, this blue-green mountain lake is a gem.
To help you make the most of your outdoor adventure, I’ve put together a top 5 things to do around the Eibsee. Scenic walks around the alpine lake. Cable cars and hiking trails. Fantastic panoramic views of the Zugspitze.
You’ll find all the practical tips and more. These activities made my stay one big adventure, and I’m sure they’ll do the same for you.
Let’s go!
Where is the Eibsee?
The Eibsee Lake is located in the south of Germany, tucked away in the Bavarian Alps, against the Austrian border. It’s a stone’s throw from the cutest little town, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and at the foot of Germany’s highest mountain, Zugspitze.
How to get there?
There are multiple ways to get to the Eibsee. I recommend getting there by public transport. Traveling by train is easy, comfortable, and sustainable. And you don’t have to spend hours in traffic.
If you’re visiting from a neighbouring country, the train and bus are your friends. One of the easiest ways to travel to the Eibsee is by taking a train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen Bahnhof and then taking the blue Eibsee bus to the Eibsee. The bus takes 40 minutes and stops right in front of the lake. Check the current timetable here.
Instead of the Eibsee bus, you can also take the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn (BZB) to the Eibsee Lake. This cogwheel train departs from Garmisch-Partenkrichen. The train takes 30 minutes, and a one-way ticket costs €24. It's definitely a fun alternative to the bus ride and a lot more scenic.
Visit Omio or Trainline for train tickets and choose the best options from your departure point. You can also visit Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway company, directly for available tickets.
For example, I traveled from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and booked my train ticket via Trainline. It took me about 9.5 hours, including 3 easy transfers.
Tip: Don’t forget to ask for delay repayment compensation if you experience any delay while getting there. Upon my return home, the train to Düsseldorf was delayed by 34 minutes, and I got €9.80 compensated.
Getting around easily
You can get around quite quickly in this small region by public transport, bike, car, camper van, or even by foot.
The Garmisch-Partenkrichen train station is often the starting point for exploring and is well-connected to the regional public transport.
Upon arrival, getting a Tiroler Zugspitz Arena Guestcard and ZugspitzCard is wise. The Arena guest card allows you to use the Bavaria-Tyrol Guest Bus for free and serves as your bus ticket. Both cards include many other free services and activities at reduced prices, so it’s a must!
Best Time To Visit Eibsee
The best time to visit the Eibsee is during late spring to early autumn, specifically from May to September. These moments are best to explore without all the crowds. The weather is mild, and flowers and dense forests make for a picturesque scenery. This time is excellent for hiking and other outdoor activities. Not too warm or too cold. And clear skies provide breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
While winter months give that extra snowy charm, accessibility may be limited. Check all the activities you want to do beforehand and decide the best time to visit.
If you can plan more spontaneously, keep an eye on the weather and check any available webcam.
How many days should I spend here?
To enjoy the adventures below, up to 5 days is enough. The Eibsee area is small, with a ton of stuff to do and see. My trip took 3 days, and I managed to do these activities. But that also meant getting up early and having a packed day. Of course, stay as long as you like!
My top 5 things to do
Hike the Eibsee Rundweg
When hiking any trail, please remember the Leave No Trace Principles. It's a privilege to explore, and we have a shared duty to preserve such beautiful places.
Distance: 7.5 km
Duration: +- 2 hours to complete
The Eibsee Rundweg is the loop trail that goes around the lake and is considered one of Bavaria's most beautiful hiking trails. The course starts and ends at the Eibsee Pavilion, near the bus station. It's a relaxing hike and a perfect opportunity to view the lake, the Zugspitze, the lake's small islands, some waterfalls, and the smaller Untersee.
The trail is easily accessible and mostly flat. To give you an idea, I've seen elderly children and parents with kids in strollers on the track wearing sneakers. That said, remember that it can be pretty crowded during high season.
Some parts of the trail are directly along the water; others give you a bird's eye view - impressive with the mountains in the background. On the north and south part of the Eibsee, you'll find gravel beaches where you can go for a refreshing swim. Along the Eibsee Pavilion, you can rent pedal boats and rowing boats.
I found the most impressive views on the north side of the lake. There are multiple spots where you have a great view of the lake with the mountains just behind. During sunrise or sunset, it's just *french kiss*.
2. Reach the Zugspitze summit with Seilbahn Zugspitze
Another activity is taking the Seilbahn cable car from the Eibsee station to the Zugspitze summit. In 10 minutes, the gondola takes you up to Germany's highest mountain at 2.962 meters. When the weather conditions are right, you can enjoy 360-degree views and count at least 400 (!) mountain peaks. You can find the current operating times here.
From the Zugspitze summit, you can ascend to the mountain's glacier with the Gletscherbahn. This cable car takes you a bit further down to the Sonnalpin station.
There's almost a 2.000-meter difference between the Eibsee and the Zugspitze summit, so understand that temperatures can change in a heartbeat. It's best to check the weather before you go and bring appropriate clothing and some sunscreen in case you need it.
There are different tickets available for reaching the Zugspitze and the Gletscherbahn. The basic ticket of one ascent and one descent costs €68. Check out combi tickets like the ZugspitzCard or ClassicCard to enjoy discounts and combine activities.
Tip: Grab a coffee in the Panorama 2962 restaurant coffee corner for some insane views. It's hard to leave this place, to say the least!
3. Hop on the Zugspitze Cogwheel Train
When you have spent enough time wandering around the summit's glacier, it's time to return to the valley. You can go down with the Seilbahn Zugspitze or hop on the Zugspitze cogwheel train. That's the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn I told you about before.
The cogwheel train is quite remarkable. It was built between 1928 and 1930 and is one of the few cogwheel trains left in Germany. The white-blue train connects the Sonnalpin and Garmisch-Partenkirchen stations with several stops in between. The total length between these two stations is 19.5 km.
When you take the train from Sonnalpin to the Eibsee, the first part of the journey goes through the Zugspitz tunnel until Riffelriss station. This takes about 20 minutes. From Riffelriss station to the Eibsee, you can see the Eibsee Lake from above.
Visit the official Grainau website to download the train's timetable for winter and summer periods.
4. Take the Kreuzeckbahn and/or Alpspitzbahn
Two mountains east of the Eibsee and Zugspitze, the Kreuzeck and Alpspitze, are equally worth discovering. You can either hike up the mountains from the valley or take a cable car up and continue your journey from there.
To save a bit of energy and reach higher altitudes quickly, I'd recommend taking the Kreuzeckbahn or Alpspitzbahn cable car. The Kreuzeckbahn station is 1650 meters, and the Alpspitzbahn takes you up to 2050 meters.
The entrances of both stations are close to each other, and you can easily reach them by train or bus. From the Eibsee station, take the cogwheel train and exit at the Kreuzeck-/Alpspitzbahn station. If you depart from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you can take the cogwheel train or bus line 2 with Kreuzeck-/Alpspitzbahn as the final destination.
Remember that the bus takes about 20 minutes to arrive. The cogwheel train takes about 10 minutes to reach the station.
The bus and train stop in front of the Kreuzeck cable car entrance. You'll find the entry to the Alpspitze cable car a few meters to the right.
I recommend taking the Alpspitzbahn up, as you'll get some incredible views of the Zugspitze to your right. Exiting the cable car, you'll directly step foot in the Restaurant Alpspitze, where you can have a nice lunch on the terrace while taking in the stunning landscape. From there, you can walk to the AlpspiX, the fantastic lookout platform behind the restaurant. Expect some dramatic views of the Zugspitze and Höllentalklamm.
You can further hike up the mountain to reach the Alpspitze top or hike down to the Kreuzeckbahn station and take that cable car down to the valley.
5. Enjoy a free bus ride to and from Austria
Guests in the Eibsee region and Zugspitz Arena can use a free bus service to and from Austria.
The guest bus commutes daily between Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Grainau, Ehrwald, and Lermoos, with Grainau being the station closest to the Eibsee. You should get the Zugspitz Arena Bayern-Tirol (ZABT) guest card to enjoy this service.
The EU supports this service with the INTERREG program, boosting cooperation across borders. The program aims to tackle common challenges and find environmental, educational, and sustainable energy solutions.
How cool is that? It's a fun, completely free way to explore the area!
Final thoughts
Exploring the Eibsee region feels like a giant playground. I cannot recommend visiting this part of Germany enough. It has so much to offer in summer and winter: Plenty of activities when traveling solo, with your partner, or with friends and family. Safe to say, this incredible alpine lake charms every visitor.