Zugspitze Walking Tour

Garmisch Partenkirchen is known as one of the most important health resorts in the Bavarian Alps, as well as the “Mecca” for winter sports in Germany – in fact, Garmisch was the site of the 1936 Winter Olympics. The two separate 1,100 year old towns of Partenkirchen and Garmisch were later obliged to unite into one town. The fresco-filled, cobblestoned streets of Partenkirchen offer a glimpse into times past, while Garmisch has a slightly more progressive feel.

The day’s climb will start from Garmisch Partenkirchen at 700m. From there the route follows through the Partnachklamm, an extraordinary narrow gorge created by the runoff from melted snow off the Zugspitze. Afterward you’ll walk across soft hills and alpine pastures to Klais, then take a train to Mittenwald. Mittenwald is famous for the manufacturing of string instruments and is a popular stop for tourists. The German writer, Goethe, called Mittenwald a “living picture book” and it remains as such today. The most significant landmark in the village is the pink-colored Roman Catholic Church of Saints Peter and Paul, a typical example of the region’s style. The church and many of the surrounding buildings, both businesses and private residences, are decorated with elaborate paintings on the exterior walls. You’ll find many elegant shops and cafes in the center of town. You can visit the church, one of the finest in the Bavarian Alps, or the famous Violin Museum for a demonstration of a violin maker at work.

To make the gorge passable today’s path was hewn with extreme precision into the rock, and bold bridges cross up to 40 meters above the water. The impressive route also has an equally spectacular steel walkway, clinging to the side of a dramatic gorge high above the teeming Leutascher Ache (don’t worry – you’re fully enclosed and quite safe!). The path crisscrosses the ravine below by a series of footbridges, allowing you to admire not only the scenery but the feat of engineering which made this experience possible. Then you’ll relax on a comfortable stroll into the sunny Leutasch Valley, one of the most picturesque valleys in Tyrol. There are no crowds here: rather, open flower-filled meadows, forest trails, pretty villages, and tiny hamlets which run alongside the river with the Wetterstein Mountain Range forming a stunning backdrop.

Today you will be free to relax or take an optional walk to one of the many lakes in and around Seefeld. You can return to the hotel by public bus.

Summer in the secluded and totally unspoiled Gaistal Valley is blissful with light brown ponies and grey and brown cattle grazing in the meadows. Breathe the fresh mountain air and soak up the sun while walking through this mountain paradise surrounded by jagged peaks. You’ll certainly agree this is picture book scenery. Your route along the Ganghofer Trail winds through high pastures in the footsteps of Ludwig Ganghofer, a local writer who spent many months here each year. We’ll cross over the Ehrwalder Alm and will descend by cable car to your hotel in Ehrwald.

Bit by bit, you’ll ascend to the foot of the Zugspitze and its famous scenic view on Lake Eibsee or Lake Eib, at the foot of the Zugspitze. The final walk of your tour is here at this lovely lake with spectacular views over the gorgeous Zugspitze-Garmisch panorama. You will return to Garmisch by train or bus.

Your tour ends today with departure after breakfast.