Cable Cars in Bavaria
 

We will be in southern Germany Sept. 8-12 in and around the Garmisch and Berchtesgaden areas and would like to take one or more cable cars up the mountains for the views. Any suggestions? I am afraid of heights but will just have to grit my teeth on the cable cars because I don't want to miss the views. We don't plan on going to the Eagle's Nest, but I know that the views are supposed to be spectacular. Is there anywhere we can go in that area to get similar views?

Thank you so much for taking your time to advise. I have gotten much good advice from you Fodorites!

Right near Garmish there is the big mountain, the Zugspitze.

www.zugspitze.de

When the weather is clear you can see the alps in all directions (ex north, or course) if you go the summit. (chairlift, the final leg, IIRC)

Closer in to Garmish you can take a cable car up the Hausberg. The cable car doesn't take you all the way to the summit here either so you don't get views of other peaks unless you do a little hiking. I've not been to that summit so I can't comment on the views except down into the valley below.

Taking an afternoon hike down the mountain back into town is a great activity.

There are ski areas near Bertschesgaden as well. I don't know the names offhand.

Hi,
Near Garmisch is Mittenwald (extremely charming village) and the Karwendelbahn. Nice views at 50% the cost of the Zugspitze. While we thought he Zugspitze had the better scenery, the Karwendelbahn was very good also.

The Jennerbahn cable car (by the Konigsee) is 10 minutes from Berchtesgaden itself.

Paul

I've been planning a trip to this area also frances_hawkins, seems there’s a cable car around every bend. Everything I want to see is accessible by cable car. My husband is ecstatic, I'm practicing gritting my teeth :D
Have fun.

I forgot:

www.karwendelbahn.de

www.jennerbahn.de

Paul

If cable cars aren't your favorite means of transportation, you can take the cogwheel train (almost all way) up Zugspitze And only a short cable car ride from almost the top to the summit.

Or the cogwheel train all way to the summit of Wendelstein. You will pass Wendelstein peak on your way from Garmisch to Berchtesgaden (if you go by car and follow the German Alpine Road). Costs considerably less than Zugspitze.

A totally "vertigo-free" way to get up a mountain is.. to hike to the summit.
Pendling peak near Kufstein requires only a relatively short hike (1 1/2 - 2 hrs) to the summit and no climbing skills. You can actually walk up on a service road. No cable cars or trains here, so hardly any tourists. There is a hut on the top with foods and refreshments. And a spectacular view of the Inn river valley, Kufstein, over the Grossglockner range to Italy (weather/haze permitting).

If you can get over your fear of heights I'd recommend the Wank gondola from Partenkirchen. Best views of the GaP valley, the Zugspitze and Karwendel massif.

Thank you so much for your advice! I rode the cable car above Banff in Canada last summer and it wasn't too bad for someone who doesn't like heights. It looks from the photos of the Jennerbahn that it isn't too high above the ground, so I will be fine. However, I still think I will still grit my teeth and go up the Zugspitz also.