Bavaria Trip Report, Day 7: Zugspitze, Ehrwald (Austria), Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Mittenwald

DAY 7, 18 April, 2019, Thursday:

We had a lovely day driving through beautiful BAVARIA and enjoying the sight of Zugspitze, the tallest mountain in Germany,

At 2,962 meters above sea level, the Zugspitze is the highest mountain in the country and home to three glaciers and Germany’s highest ski resort. 

Right at the top, an impressive 360° panorama opens up to reveal extensive views over 400 mountain peaks in four countries Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland – including the highest mountains in the eastern Alps such as the Großglockner (3,798 m), Wildspitze (3,768 m), Ortler (3,905 m) and Piz Bernina (4,049 m). 

Extensive views of up to 250 km... we were so happy we were able to enjoy this experience.

To start the day...

We checked out of our hotel in Munich at 7 am. We were returning for a 2 night stay at the same hotel after 2 nights at Fussen. So we kept a bag in their storage. 

We picked up our car from Europecar at the hauptbahnhof and started our drive to Fussen.

We had a couple of options for the day, if it was sunny it was Zugspitze, Ehrwald (Austria), Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Mittenwald. Forecast promised sun in that area:

https://zugspitze.de/en/news/weather

weather at zugspitze .

So we hit A95. The Alps began to show up in the skyline and it was so scenic. 

 Unfortunately There was a huge traffic jam just outside Munich... cars on the shoulder and another line to the left leaving the regular lane free. We assumed it was for emergency vehicle. It took an hour to resume normalcy... we still don't know what the problem was.

We followed signs for Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

 Stopped at some scenic places...unlike in the US and some places in Europe, no restrooms available in Lidl in this village. We bought some fruits and were on our way

We resumed our drive

Reached Ehrwald, Austria. We had paid 15 e extra for crossing border to our car rental. We had read some people choose not to disclose short forays but we wanted our insurance to be valid in case it was needed and there is no need to cut corners.

Ehrwald is a beautiful village and we strolled around admiring the snow peaked Alps and the lovely fountains, sculptures.

We then decided to go to the Tiroler Zugspitzebahn (cable car station to Zugspitze in Ehrwald).. 

signs were confusing, we took guidance from Ehrwald Tourist Info center. Also asked them where we can find restrooms and they pointed out an inconspicuous place with clean toilets.

We reached the cable car station.

TIROLER ZUGSPITZEBAHN, Ehrwald:

Had our lunch there and saw the cable car going up and coming back. We asked at their ticket office when the next one was... it was in 2 minutes. 

We bought the tickets 45e each and boarded it. Had a lovely ride up. .. as can be seen, hardly anyone in the cable car besides us

Beautiful panorama all round. Eibsee sparkled turquoise blue.

After some time up we came down in the cable car, this time, it was fully packed with returning skiiers etc.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen:

we drove onward to Garmisch and strolled around admiring the painted houses and the mountain peaks surrounding the serene village.

MITTENWALD:

It was getting late and it would have been prudent to drive to Fussen. But we did so want to see Mittenwald also... GPS on our phone misguided, we wasted time, but son was adamant. We drove toward Mittenwald

 We reached Mittenwald, strolled around a bit. Again a lovely village with beautiful painted houses.

There are restrooms near the hauptbahnhof

It was 6 pm. We started our drive to Fussen... GPS again took us on a wild drive. We were staying at a hotel which did not have 24/7 desk. Checkin was only till 9 pm... you had to inform them by 8 pm if you were running late. We stopped midway at a restaurant at Wannsee. We did not have a phone but the owner let us use his to make the call. He did not even accept the payment we offered. Very nice guy!

We told the hotel guy we are at this place. He said depending on traffic it'll be another hour. We should ring him up again if we did not reach by 9, .. wish he had given us an arrangement to collect the key in case we were delayed. Anyway, we managed to reach the hotel before 9.

It had been a very scenic drive but I was a little stressed to take pics.

We checked in. 

CITY APART HOTEL, FUSSEN:

Son went to park the car at the allotted place... he got lost and I sat waiting at the hotel for an hour till he came back. Things were complicated by the fact that the hotel had one key for the front door and room and he had taken it. In my worry, I went out of the room to talk to the neighbor. The Chinese guy was in no mood to help... and I was locked out of my room too. Thankfully son returned that moment and all was well. Always better to reach a place in day light... in the dark, things are not that easy to figure out.
Also an accommodation that does not have 24/7 reception can become problematic! 

We had an early slot at Neuschwanstein castle the next day. It had been an awesome day and we had enjoyed a a ton of scenic sights. We forgot the niggles and slept off

Here's a map of Bavaria... our destinations all clustered in the souh corner

Report on our visit to Hohenschwangu and Neuschwanstein castles is here:

https://adventuretrav.blogspot.com/2019/05/bavaria-trip-report-day-8.html