Garmisch-Partenkirchen Between Mountains and Culture

A trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen brings together a range of interests: peaks and mountain railways, walking and hiking trails, winter sports, as well as history and culture. If you are looking for hotels in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, your planned activities can help guide your search. The themes range from the Zugspitze to historic streets and museums.

Mountains, Railways and the Partnach Gorge

At 2,962 metres, the Zugspitze is Germany’s highest peak. A cable car, a cog railway and a glacier railway provide access to the mountain. If you are planning a visit to the summit, check travel times and operating information in advance.

The Wankbahn takes you to the 1,780-metre-high viewpoint mountain northeast of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Seasonal operating hours may change, so check them before your visit. Wank offers a 360-degree panoramic plateau and family-friendly walking trails. This means that, alongside the highest peak, you can also consider a viewpoint and trails for a more leisurely walk.

The Partnach Gorge is considered a natural wonder, and visitors can walk along its rock formations. Access rules are important for planning: prams and strollers are not permitted in the gorge, and access is not possible by wheelchair. As access rules may change, check the latest information before your visit.

Winter and Outdoor Activities

Garmisch-Partenkirchen has 60 kilometres of ski slopes. The region’s ski runs are suitable for skiers of all ability levels. The distance indicates the extent of the ski area, while suitability for different ability levels is a separate consideration when planning a winter trip.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is designated as one of Germany’s 16 Premium Class health resorts with a therapeutic climate. A climate-based exercise therapy that incorporates selected walking trails has also been developed for the town. This gives outdoor activity a distinct place, without limiting it to winter sports or mountain railways.

Historic Places and Local Cuisine

In historic Garmisch, around Frühlingsstraße, you will find Werdenfels farmhouses with decorated balconies and Lüftlmalerei frescoes. The Old Church in Garmisch dates back to the 13th century. The townscape thus brings painted house façades together with a building that has a medieval history.

Partenkirchen offers its own historic highlights. Historic Ludwigstraße is home to traditional Alpine inns and first-class restaurants. The street is also part of a walking tour of Partenkirchen that leads from the Garmisch Tourist Information Office to the pilgrimage church of St. Anton.

Culture and Trails in the Wider Garmisch-Partenkirchen Destination

In the wider Garmisch-Partenkirchen destination, the Richard Strauss Institute is a cultural highlight. It is located in the historic Villa Christina in Partenkirchen’s Kurpark and houses a permanent exhibition on the life and work of Richard Strauss. The Richard Strauss Festival takes place every June in Garmisch and features performances of his works. As the programme may change, it is a good idea to check the dates for the year of your trip.

The Werdenfels Museum is another cultural attraction in the wider Garmisch-Partenkirchen destination. It was established in 1895 from a private collection and is one of the most significant museums of its kind in Bavaria. In the Zugspitze Room, you can see the original 150-kilogram Zugspitze summit cross.

The Partnach Gorge was designated a natural monument in 1912 and opened to visitors. This historical detail adds another dimension to a walk along the rock formations by offering a glimpse into the gorge’s history.

For hiking in the wider Garmisch-Partenkirchen destination, the Kramerplateauweg offers a different kind of trail: this panoramic route runs along the foot of the Kramer and has only gentle inclines. The Eckbauer can be hiked in both summer and winter and is considered a versatile hiking area. The 1,237-metre-high mountain can be reached by cable car; operating conditions apply, so check them before planning your visit.

Cycling and sensory experiences round out the options. The well-signposted cycling network covers more than 453 kilometres and ranges from leisurely excursions and challenging mountain tours to downhill trails. The network may change as routes are added or modified, so check the latest route information. The herb garden of the senses in Michael Ende Kurpark engages the senses of smell, taste, touch, sight and hearing.

Discover more destinations: Grainau, Ohlstadt, Riegsee, Farchant, Murnau Am Staffelsee, Krün, Ettal, Saulgrub.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Garmisch-Partenkirchen.