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The Jubiläumsgrat is one of the most spectacular ridge crossings in the Eastern Alps – but, and this should be said right away, it is not a pure via ferrata. The 6 km long ridge traverse, which stretches from the summit of the Zugspitze to the summit of the Alpspitze, is a demanding tour! This tour is characterized by constant ups and downs, and once you are on one of the ridge peaks, the next jagged obstacle opens up.
Only in good conditions and safe weather should you embark on this “ridge walk”, where even mountaineers with very good physical condition and alpine experience can work up quite a sweat.
Most Jubiläumsgrat conquerors take the first cable car to the Zugspitze at 8.00 a.m. and start there on the almost 6 km long ridge climb. This tour can also be made as a round tour, with a start/end point Hammersbach.
Zugspitze – Knorrhütte junction (more climbing than via ferrata):
First in the tourist hustle and bustle in the direction of the Zugspitze summit (ladder A/B), shortly before the summit, turn left on via ferrata tracks (A) to the junction of the Höllentalanstiege. Continue along the ridge (trail tracks) until you reach the first climbing sections (1-2). Climbing downwards, you reach a smooth gully (3-), which is also the first key section. After the gully, climb back up (2) and follow the ridge in a steady up and down until you reach the first via ferrata (B), which is secured with a wire rope. Continue along the ridge (2-, via ferrata sections up to C) until you have to climb down again in an airy way into a saddle (2+, small, fragile overhang). In the gap to the right of the ridge on the next mighty tower, you descend to the turn-off to the Knorrhütte (the turn-off is signposted).
Branch off Knorrhütte – Alpspitzbahn mountain station (more via ferrata than climbing tour):
From the turn-off, always along the ridge (partly A/B, but also walking terrain) to the bivouac (Grathüttl, 2684 m). Then ascend and descend (A/B, 2, and C) to the striking yellowish Volkarspitze. The ascent to the Volkarspitze (D) is the key section in terms of via ferrata technique; the ascent is very airy and exposed. Afterward it is easier again, always in the ridge area (A and 1-) towards the Hochblassen until you reach a red-marked junction. There you descend to the left (partly secured A/B), pass under the northern abysses of the Hochblassen and ascend again in a gully (A/B) to the ridge. From there, briefly follow the ridge, then descend on tracks in the scree to the Grießkar Scharte (2463 m). From the saddle, climb to the Alpspitze (ascents up to A/B), the last summit of the tour (you can also cross to the left shortly before the summit to the Alpspitz-Ferrata – the descent via ferrata). From the summit, follow the wire ropes eastwards over the so-called Alpspitz-Ferrata (some sections up to B) down to the meadows shortly before the Alpspitzbahn mountain station.
The train station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which is well connected to the public transport network, makes travelling here easy and uncomplicated. There is also a Deutsche Bahn stop at the Hausbergbahn cable car.
The Zugspitze station in Garmisch is right next to the Deutsche Bahn building in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. You can thus easily continue your journey to the Zugspitze or the Garmisch-Classic area on the cogwheel train. The timetable of the cogwheel train is coordinated with the arrivals and departures of the regional trains, so waiting times are short.
Address for your sat nav: Seefeldweg 1, 82491 Grainau.
This tour can also be made as a round tour, with a start/end point Hammersbach.
