Most of the northern part of Germany is part of the North European Plain, a region along the North Sea up to the Baltic Sea that doesn’t feature any significant mountains or mountain ranges.
The central part of this large Central European country is dominated by amazing forests and hilly areas that extend to the foot of the most prominent mountain range in Europe, the Alps.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most famous mountains in Germany, many of which have become popular tourist attractions in the country.
1. Zugspitze
The Zugspitze is not only one of the most famous mountains in Germany, it’s also the highest mountain in the country. It reaches an elevation of 2,962 meters (9,718 feet) above sea level. It’s part of the Wetterstein Mountains in the Northern Limestone Alps.
The town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is located just north of the mountain and offers amazing views of this natural wonder. It’s also very close to the border with Austria which runs across the western summit of the mountain.
The Hochwanner si considered to be the second-highest mountain in Germany as it stands 2,744 meters (9,003 feet) above sea level. This is only the case if we don’t include one of the sub-peaks of the Zugspitze (one which you’ll discover after on in this list).
The mountain is relatively isolated and features one of the most amazing north faces in this Northern Limestone Alps. This face has a height of 1,500 meters (4,921 feet). The summit of the mountain can be reached by a trail from the Rotmoosalm in about 3 hours.
The Watzmann can easily be described as one of the most beautiful mountains in Germany. It overlooks the village of Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps and its summit reaches an elevation of 2,713 meters (8,901 feet) above sea level.
What’s remarkable is not only that it’s the third-highest mountain in Germany, but also that it’s the highest mountain located entirely within the borders of the country. It’s also the centerpiece of a magnificent protected area known as the “Berchtesgaden National Park.”
The Brocken is also sometimes referred to as the “Blocksberg” and is the highest mountain in Northern Germany. It’s located in the Harz mountain range in the north-central part of the country and reaches an elevation of 1,142 meters (3,747 feet) above sea level.
The top of the mountain is often covered in snow from September until May and it’s one of the main attractions of the Harz National Park. The mountain not only features a botanical garden with over 1,600 Alpine plants but is also topped with the Brocken Transmitter, an old television tower that has been transformed into a tourist attraction.
Brocken in the distance / Wiki Commons
5. Östliche Karwendelspitze
The Östliche Karwendelspitze is another prominent mountain in the Bavarian Alps and is located on the border of the German state of Bavaria and the Austrian state of Tyrol. It reaches an elevation of 2,537 meters (8,323 feet) above sea level.
This height makes it the highest mountain in the Karwendel Mountains, the largest mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps. The summit of the mountain can be reached by a trail in about 2.5 hours but requires a decent level of Alpine experience.
The Hochblassen is another high mountain in the Wetterstein Mountains and is located just a short distance from Germany’s highest peak. Its summit is located at a distance of just 4.5 kilometers (2.79 miles) from the Zugspitze.
The main peak of the mountain reaches an elevation of 2,706 meters (8,878 feet) above sea level and the mountain features a sub-peak as well which isn’t that much lower at 2,698 meters (8,852 feet) above sea level. It’s one of the most popular mountains in Germany for climbers.
Hochblassen and hiking / Bbb / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0/deed.en
7. Wasserkuppe
Wasserkuppe is the highest mountain of the Rhön Mountains German state of Hesse. This state is located in the west-central part of Germany. This mountain range is relatively low and is situated on the border of the states of Hesse and Bavaria.
It’s the lowest mountain on our list of the most famous mountains in Germany as it reaches an elevation of just 950 meters (3,120 feet) above sea level. The summit has been extensively used for aeronautical purposes and features an airfield and adjoining German Sailplane Museum.
Wasserkuppe in the Summer / Verum / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en
8. Schneefernerkopf
The Schneefernerkopf is a peak in the Zugspitze Massif and is located just next to the highest mountain in Germany. If it’s not considered to be merely a sub-peak of the Zugspitze, it could be considered the second-highest mountain in the country.
The mountain reaches an elevation of 2,875 meters (9,432 feet) but only has a prominence of 176 meters (577 feet). It’s still one of the most prominent mountains in this part of the Wetterstein mountain range in the Bavarian Alps.
Schneefernerkopf / Michael Fiegle / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en
9. Feldberg
The Feldberg is the highest mountain in the Black Forest, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. It’s also the highest mountain in the German state of Baden-Württemberg and the highest mountain in Germany outside of the Alps.
It reaches an elevation of 1,493 meters (4,898 feet) above sea level and is surrounded by picturesque villages and towns, including the municipality of Feldberg which was named after the mountain. It’s also not too far away from the large city of Freiburg which can be found just northeast of the mountain.
The Alpspitze can easily be described as one of the most iconic mountains in Germany, especially in the Northern Limestone Alps. It features a distinctive pyramidal peak and is considered to be the ultimate symbol of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a popular ski town in Bavaria.
The mountain reaches an elevation of 2,628 meters (8,622 feet) above sea level and a summit cross was placed on its summit in the year 1946. The view from the summit of one of the most famous mountains in Germany is mesmerizing, hence it’s one of the most popular mountains in the country for climbers.
The magnificent Alpspitze / Octagon / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en
