June 25, 2025, 3:11 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
A selfie at Germany’s highest point? For many, it’s a must—but the path to the original summit cross of the Zugspitze is more dangerous than many realize, and overly reckless summit tourists often need to be rescued by mountain rescue teams. Now, a solution in the form of a second summit cross is being proposed. TRAVELBOOK explains what this is intended to achieve.
Starting July 3, according to a report by Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), a second summit cross will be placed on the Zugspitze—a rarity in the Alps, as few mountains have two crosses. The unique aspect of the new cross: It will not stand on the rocky ridge outdoors but will be safely inside the summit station of the Zugspitzbahn at about 2,950 meters altitude.
The approximately three-meter-high cross was designed by Bernhard Rieger, an artist from Upper Bavaria, using standard materials from a hardware store. The goal of installing the second summit cross is to allow visitors to take a souvenir photo safely.
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The Dangerous Path to the Zugspitze Summit Cross
The ascent to the real cross is short but challenging. From the mountain station, the path leads over steep iron ladders, narrow rock ledges, and slippery steps—right along the precipice. What is manageable for experienced alpinists is underestimated by many of the approximately 600,000 tourists annually.
“They set off in sneakers or even flip-flops—without helmets, without safety gear,” BR quotes a spokesperson for the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn. The mountain rescue service must regularly intervene because people slip or cannot proceed in difficult terrain.
With the new cross, the aim is not only to avoid dangerous situations but also to educate. An accompanying exhibition provides information about the history of the original Zugspitze cross, which was erected in 1851 and is now considered one of Bavaria’s most famous symbols.