Zugspitze: Mountain school suspends Höllental group tours

The Vivalpin mountain and ski school, based in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, has suspended all group tours through the Höllental route to the Zugspitze until further notice. The decision follows what the school describes as “extraordinary conditions” caused by extreme environmental changes.

Key safety concerns include the Höllentalferner glacier being completely snow-free, the emergence of open crevasse zones, and a significantly lowered entry point to the via ferrata, which now sits approximately 10 meters deeper than usual due to ice loss. While the route is not officially closed, certified mountain guides are strongly advising against independent ascents for those lacking sufficient experience or alpinist training.

Other ascent routes to Germany’s highest peak, such as Reintal, Gatterl, Stopselzieher, Eisenzeit, and Jubiläumsgrat, remain unaffected and offer good summer conditions. This development highlights the ongoing impact of climate change on Bavarian glaciers, which have seen significant mass loss in recent years.