One of the great things about living in Munich is its proximity to the mountains. Within an hour, you can easily be in the foothills; in two hours, you can be at the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak.
So, after spending several days with our friends at Oktoberfest, we hopped an hour-long regional train south for a few days in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the closest town to the Zugspitze.
While the Zugspitze may be the most well-known attraction in the area, the town (small city?) itself is very scenic and worth visiting. Moreover, there are a ton of outdoor activities. We had two full days in the Garmisch area, so we decided to explore the three main attractions: Mt. Wank (*giggle*), the Partnach gorge, and, of course, the Zugspitze.
Mt. Wank
Slightly north of the town of Garmish-Partenkirchen is Mount Wank, also known as the “Panorama Mountain” for its views over the town and of the Zugspitze. You can hike from Garmish to the summit at 1780 m (~5800 ft), or you can take the cable car, which makes it a family-friendly mountain or a great idea if you’re looking for views without the (inevitably strenuous) hike up. The views from the cable car itself are worth it.
You’ll find plenty of hiking trails at the top. Well, assuming the weather is clear. We could barely see any of the trails when we first arrived. The view was, uh, less than spectacular. 😆
Things started clearing out around lunch, though, and our view was completely different after some food and the obligatory beer (you know, because did you even hike if you didn’t stop for a drink?). So, we took advantage of the sun, watched the paragliders, and discovered “Brian’s Rock.”
The Partnach Gorge
On the opposite side of town is the Partnach Gorge (Partnachklamm), which is (you guessed it) GORGE-ous!
Several hikes in the area start through the gorge, so you can visit it as part of your day hike. Or, you can just visit the gorge and head back to town, which we did.
As you can imagine, it can get quite crowded in there, so I’d recommend going during off-peak hours. The gorge is open year-round from 8 a.m. (to either 6 or 8 p.m., depending on the season). So, if it’s possible, I’d recommend avoiding that 10 am to 4 p.m. window. Regardless, it’s one of those places where pictures can never do it justice; it’s worth the visit!
The Zugspitze
Last but not least, the Zugspitze!
At 2962 m (~9700 feet), the Zugspitze straddles Germany and Austria, making it Germany’s highest peak (!!!) and one of Austria’s lowest. (For the record, the elevation in Quito [2850 m] is nearly the same.) 😆 However, you get to visit two countries in one trip, and who doesn’t love that?!
Getting to the Zugspitze is an adventure in itself. From Garmish, you have to catch the cogwheel train (located at a separate train station behind the Garmish bahnhof) to the Eibsee (a lake). From there, you take the massive and literally world-record-holding gondola to the station at the summit.
Alternatively, you can stay on the train until you reach the glacier area, approximately 300 m below the summit, and catch a smaller gondola to the top. The train and both gondolas are included in your ticket price, so you can make your own adventure. We chose to get off at the Eibsee, take the gondola to the summit, have lunch, go down to the glacier, and then take the train back to Garmisch.
The gondola ride to the summit really is impressive, and you’ll get a great view over the Eibsee on your way up. That is, assuming you don’t go straight into a cloud. The summit was entirely covered by the time we arrived. The luck of the draw, I suppose!
After lunch, we took the gondola down to the glacier, and the difference 300 m in elevation makes is incredible. The whole world opened up! Given our luck on the summit, we debated even going to the glacier, but I’m glad we did!
Practical Info
How to get there: Easy – by train! There is a regional train from Munich to Garmisch every hour. Bonus: This route qualifies for the Bayern Ticket, so it only costs €39 euros for 2 people (if you don’t have the Deutschland ticket) and gets you all-day access to local and regional transport.
However, be aware! The bus system in Garmisch is terrible; each line only runs once per hour. So, plan your departure time carefully and be prepared to walk if you miss your bus.
Distance from Munich: ~1 hour by train.
Mount Wank: The journey up starts at the Wankbahn (the cable car), reachable by bus. Tickets can be purchased online (~28€), but you’ll need to go to the ticket counter anyway, where they will transfer your online voucher into a physical card to get through the lift gates. There are two restaurants at the top, one of which for sure accepts cards (we didn’t go to the other). Regardless, it’s always good to have some cash handy.
Partnachklamm: The closest bus stop is at the old Olympic ski jump stadium, which is a bonus stop on your visit to the gorge! Navigate here, and you won’t be able to miss the signs to Partnachklamm. From there, it’s a ~45 minute easy walk to the gorge. Tickets (10€) can be purchased at the automated ticket machines at the entrance (cards accepted).
Zugspitze: Start your journey at the Zugspitzebahnhof, and don’t make the same mistake we did. We thought we could walk up 10 minutes before the train departed and get right on. Nope. It’s a relatively small train on a popular route. So, arrive early! I recommend getting there at least 30 minutes before the train departs. Tickets for the Zugspitze can be purchased online (~72€) and include a return trip on the train, a return trip on the Sielbahn (Zugspitze summit gondola), and unlimited trips on the gondola between the summit and glacier.
Tip: If you plan to visit Mt. Wank and the Zugspitze, they offer a “Two Peak Pass” for ~85€, which is cheaper than buying the tickets separately.
I also recommend eating lunch or having a drink at the summit. Both countries have self-serve restaurants, and the prices were quite normal given you’re at nearly 3,000 m. Plus, if you have a clear(-ish) day, the views through the massive windows would be incredible!
If you have more time in Garmisch, I recommend checking out some of the other hiking trails in the area, or head to the cute cute town of Mittenwald for the day. We will certainly be back!
Tshüss,
The Shwits 