The world-famous winter sports resort of Garmisch Partenkirchen is a regional centre in Bavaria with about 27,000 inhabitants. Nestled in the enchanting alpine world, Garmisch Partenkrichen offers optimal conditions for winter sports at an altitude of 708 m. For this reason, this top travel destination has been a valued tourist hotspot of the international winter sports scene for many years.

Snow crystal and sun, rural idyll and Bavarian customs, mountain railways, lifts, slopes, cross-country ski trails – in the valley between the Zugspitze, the and the Kramer, Garmisch-Partenkirchen has developed into an alpine metropolis.

Hardly any other spa town can boast such an impressive mountain panorama.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen owes its rise to the leading German winter sports resort to its unique location in the south of Upper Bavaria.

And there is something else that makes the double village so special: the area inspires with an ancient history and exciting anecdotes.

“Schau moi her do” – about the ups and downs of the Middle Ages, of famous writers and visitors from Hollywood

A lot happens in the valley before the merger of the two places comes – less beautiful and enjoyable. The area keeps falling into other hands.

Garmisch was first mentioned as a settlement in 802 and lived from rafting on the Loisach. Partenkirchen goes back to a Roman station on the Via Claudia. The settlement of Partenkirchen, the Roman “Parthanum”, which was elevated to a market in 1361, was the most important resting place on the trade route from Augsburg via Mittenwald to Italy, from which Garmisch also benefited.

It was not until the 1936 Olympic Games that Garmisch and Partenkirchen “welded” together into one place and made it an international winter sports resort.

By the way: There is still a pronounced rivalry between the districts today. In the run-up to the Olympic Games in 1935, the Nazis enforced the forced marriage in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Numerous writers were drawn to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Erich Kästner, Heinrich Mann and Kurt Tucholsky worked here and settled in artists’ boarding houses. Richard Burton and Liz Taylor also stayed in Garmisch for a short time. They represented Hollywood and danced in the legendary nightclub “Casa Carioca”. Last but not least, the composer Richard Strauss spent a large part of his life in the Alpine town and died there in 1949.

Today, things are less sophisticated. Visitors stroll leisurely through the tranquil pedestrian zone, browse through a well-stocked bookstore and enjoy the beautiful farmhouses that line the city center.

The pretty town centre invites you to stroll

The start is Marienplatz. Attention: In house no. 10 there is a pharmacy from 1790.
In the districts of Garmisch and Partenkirchen you can find the shingle-roofed mountain houses everywhere.

Some of them are decorated with so-called Lüftl paintings, religious façade decorations. There are a few things that you should definitely take a look at. First, you linger at Richard-Strauss-Platz and admire the Kongresshaus. Right next to it is the spa park.

It is also worth visiting the Old Parish Church of St. Martin, which has remains of Gothic wall paintings, and the New Parish Church of St. Martin, built around 1730. The local history museum, which is housed in the Wackerle House, provides a glimpse into history.

Tip:
Every year in spring, the Richard Strauss Days take place with concerts in honour of the famous resident.

Authentic, small and delicious – possibly an insider tip? The “Schloderer Bierstüberl” attracts with regional dishes in a rustic atmosphere.

When mountain and gorge call

From the summit of the Zugspitze there is a magnificent panoramic view. In the Werdenfelser Land, the mountain is called the “heavenly center”. From the 50-million-year-old natural monument at an altitude of 2961 meters, the view extends over the mountains to Austria, Italy and Switzerland.

If you choose the Eibsee cable car on the way back, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the picturesque Eibsee.

In addition to the famous panoramic view, a visit to the, which is often circled by hang-gliders, is worthwhile. Right on the outskirts of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the valley station of the Wankbahn. The is considered the “Sonnenberg” of the Werdenfelser Land.

Excursions into the varied nature of the alpine mountains of Hausberg, Osterfelder, Alpspitze and Kreuzeck are recommended. The Eckbauer can be hiked on romantic high-altitude trails. One of the most beautiful hikes leads from the Olympic Ski Stadium to the Partnach Gorge area. Part of the trail can be comfortably covered by horse-drawn sleigh in winter and by carriage in summer.
Even more bizarre than the Partnach Gorge is the Höllentalklamm to the south of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Wildly romantic, captivating, magical – the surroundings:

Without a doubt, a literally drastic nature experience: the Höllentalklamm. The gorge can only be reached by walking for several hours. Over a kilometre long, the hiker is accompanied by foaming water falling over rocks with a dull murmur and wild roar. The natural wonder has to be “earned” by a three-hour walk.

The Zugspitze, which is within sight, to which a cogwheel and cable car lead up, is different. This is mainly used by winter sports enthusiasts, who can strap on their skis in the Werdenfelser Land, but also on many other slopes.

Below the rugged Karwendel chain in the Isar valley, about 25 kilometres east of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, lies the climatic health resort of Mittenwald. In the mountain town, “the sky is full of violins” since Matthias Klotz, a student of the famous violin maker Nicola Amati, used this craft to save his village from an economic catastrophe in 1684.

Today there is a violin making museum, a violin school and a monument to Matthias Klotz. In addition, all the houses with Lüftlmalerei confirm the 1786 verdict of
Goethe: “Mittenwald is a living picture book”.

Relaxation with the Lord God carvers can be found in Oberammergau. Not only is there carving and theatre played here, there is also bathing. In the “WellenBerg” you can fight waves, jump into the warm outdoor pool, bask in the whirlpool or accompany the children into the indoor paddling pool. And that’s not all: You can also sweat or get a tan here.

A Bavarian mountain resort under the sign of sport

International reporting made the place of the Bavarian Alps famous. The Olympic Ski Stadium is still the venue for the New Year’s ski jumping of the International Four Hills Tournament. The Olympic Ice Sports Centre acts as a popular training facility.

The new 14 million euro Olympic ski jump can be visited. If you like, you can climb the 332 steps of the “Himmelsleiter”. It’s also convenient: an elevator leads to the 62-meter-high tower. From the top, there is a magnificent view of the Loisach Valley.

Today, all winter sports can be practiced in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The glacier area of the Zugspitze allows descents of 118 kilometres of different levels of difficulty until well into spring.

In addition, the beautiful mountain nature can be enjoyed on leisurely alpine hikes, climbing or mountain bike tours even in the warm season.

Garmisch Partenkirchen: Location and special features

Garmisch Partenkirchen is surrounded by various mountain landscapes: In the southwest it is the Wettestein Mountains with the highest peak in Germany, the Zugspitze, to the east is the Ester Mountains and in the northwest the Ammer Mountains.

In Garmisch Partenkirchen itself is the 870 m high Kochelberg with the Kochelbergalm. The Hausbergbahn cable car takes you to the 1334 m high summit of the nearby Hausberg, whose sensational ski area is a real magnet for enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders.

Garmisch Partenkirchen is the legendary venue for numerous international winter sports competitions, such as the Winter Olympics and Alpine Ski World Championships. Brilliant slalom slopes and the famous Olympic ski jump are special highlights in this highly esteemed winter sports resort. The New Year’s competition of the Four Hills Tournament takes place every year on the large Olympic hill on the Gudiberg.

Even in summer, Garmisch Partenkirchen is considered a fascinating holiday destination for the perfect active holiday. Hikes, excursions, bike rides and exciting discovery tours will delight young and old visitors alike. More than 300 km of well-signposted hiking trails lead through the idyllic alpine landscape around Garmisch Partenkirchen. At the same time, the natural paradise is the starting point for Transalp tours, which take mountain bikers towards Lake Garda .

Garmisch Partenkirchen in winter – Activities and highlights

Optimal weather conditions and a first-class infrastructure have made this exclusive winter sports resort a popular meeting place for ski sports fans. The alpine mountains around Garmisch Partenkirchen are a paradise for winter sports activities of all kinds.

At an altitude of up to 860 m, cross-country skiers can enjoy the silence of the picturesque snowy landscape on the approx. 28 km of classic and skating cross-country ski trails. The network of cross-country ski trails, which is accessible free of charge, is freshly groomed every day. The easy cross-country skiing trails include the 8 km long, easy-to-master Hausberg – Hammersbach trail and the Hausberg – Olympia Ski Stadium trail (length: 4 km). Definitely a thing for professionals is the 10 km long cross-country ski course from Garmisch Partenkirchen via Kaltenbrunn to Klais, which is a real challenge in places with its numerous descents and heights. For fantastic skiing experiences even after dark, the 5 km long floodlit trail at the Kaltenbrunn cross-country skiing centre offers optimal conditions.

Garmisch Partenkirchen is a stronghold of alpine skiing and can boast 60 km of perfectly groomed downhill slopes with guaranteed snow, which are available to alpinists and snowboarders from an altitude of 700 m in the months of November to April.

The ski area attracts experienced skiers to the 20 km long natural snow slopes, which are located up to 2050 m above sea level. But not only the ski area of Hausberg, Kreuzeck and Alpspitze as well as Garmisch Classic with their valley runs and more than 40 kilometres of slopes are wonderful highlights of the ski world of Partenkirchen. The children’s area next to the mountain station on the Hausberg also offers little ski enthusiasts endless skiing and snowboarding experiences and carefree snow adventures.

Families with children will be thrilled by the O.30 km long toboggan run directly on the Kramerplateauweg ! The easy toboggan run is located on a gently sloping slope next to the residential area “Im Leitle” and is the ideal area for lots of fun and enjoyment in the snow.

For experienced tobogganers, the challenging toboggan run with numerous steep sections at the Esterbergalm is a real highlight. The 4.7 km long, varied toboggan run is quite challenging in places, but on the other hand offers a wonderful panoramic view over the enchanting Loisach Valley and the Wetterstein Mountains. There is a place to stop for refreshments in the cosy Esterbergalm.

The 2.4 km long toboggan run St. Martin am Grasberg should also be reserved for experienced sledders. From the Bayernhütte it is about 320 m up to the Martinshütte mountain inn, then it goes down again on the well-prepared toboggan run on partly steep sections.

But ice sports are not neglected in Garmisch Partenkirchen either. At the Olympia Ice Sports Centre, skaters can not only skate, but also try their hand at modern sports such as curling – twelve months a year.

Discover Garmisch Partenkirchen in summer

Numerous exciting and eventful activities await summer holidaymakers in Garmisch Partenkirchen and the surrounding area. The hike through the 700 m long and 80 m deep gorge Partnachklamm is a worthwhile excursion for families with children.

The tour over the suspension bridge on the with a stop at the Tannenhütte is definitely a fascinating experience for young and old. Holidaymakers should not miss the Panorama Highlight, the Alpspix platform, which is also a wonderful experience for families with children. At an altitude of 2000 m, a spectacular view over the endlessly spreading majestic alpine world awaits you.

An absolute must in Garmisch Partenkirchen is the ride on the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn to the Zugspitze. The train ride up to the highest peak in the country at 2969 m takes about 75 minutes. Fantastic glacier hikes, paragliding and mountaineering are also among the most popular summer tourist activities here.

The Garmisch Partenkirchen summer toboggan run promises a lot of fun and enjoyment, because on an 850 m long route full of dynamics, steep curves and mega roundabouts, you can create an incredible difference in altitude of 41 metres. Children will love the great play facilities with climbing and slide tower, sandpit, swings and the super bungee trampoline! A visit to the Alpspitz wave pool is also a unique experience.

The amusement and relaxation pool can offer various indoor and outdoor pools, water slides, wave pools, learning pools as well as sauna and wellness facilities and simply offers perfect facilities for young and old.

Other attractions in Garmisch Partenkirchen and the surrounding area

The charming old town of Garmisch leads visitors on the trail of its history through old alleys and past unique, traditionally decorated wooden buildings. Regional gastronomy and wonderful shopping opportunities await visitors in the famous Ludwigstraße, which is lined with numerous gabled houses in the local style. Holidaymakers should not miss a serene walk from the town hall square to the 17th century Sebastian Chapel , a place of remembrance and reflection.

The much-visited Old Parish Church of St. Martin in Romanesque-Gothic style was the mother church in the Loisach and Isar valleys in the past, while the new South German Baroque St. Martin’s Church was built in the 18th century and fascinates with its beautiful interior design and eight-bell ringing. The pilgrimage church of St. Anton in Partenkirchen is undoubtedly worth a visit. The church, dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, and the adjoining Stations of the Cross have been listed as historical monuments since 1973.

One of the most popular destinations in Garmisch Partenkirchen is the 12th-century Werdenfels castle ruins, which are located at an altitude of 795 m and can be easily reached on signposted hiking trails.

 

 

 

A trip to Lake Starnberg takes holidaymakers to picturesque Upper Bavaria. Located between the Alps and Munich, the body of water is the second largest lake in Bavaria, where travel dreams come true. Numerous freely accessible bathing areas are lined with shallow shores where young and old can romp around. There are favourable wind conditions on site.

That’s why water sports enthusiasts are also magically attracted to the 127-metre-deep water. Around the water, a 46-kilometre-long lake circular trail invites you to extensive bike tours and relaxed walks. Lake Starnberg enchants with its sophisticated charm that no one can resist.

Make yourself at home in these vacation rentals

Travel portals such as www.starnbergersee.de inspire people to stay in a place where every single villa, every single castle is even more beautiful than the other. Inviting holiday homes, holiday apartments and chic hotels are an important part of the holiday region and fit seamlessly into the picture-perfect landscape. Many of these accommodations score with a small private beach or their own jetty. Holiday homes have their own gardens, on whose terraces you can start the day with a leisurely breakfast. Whether modern or traditionally Bavarian, whether in Münsing, Starnberg or another city on Lake Starnberg – you will feel at home here.

This is a place where holiday dreams come true

Lake Starnberg wouldn’t be Lake Starnberg if you couldn’t fulfill all your travel wishes in this place. Enjoy a warm summer’s day on a dream beach. You can hardly find a more beautiful place for this than “Paradise”. Lake Starnberg is not only the perfect starting point for a boat tour, on which you can combine visits to the most beautiful villages in the region. If you want to experience the cool water while sailing, surfing or fishing, you couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful destination.

A visit to the only island in Lake Starnberg

The natural landscapes that enrich Lake Starnberg with precious jewels are of particular splendour. For example, there is the Rose Island. The only island of the entire lake is now under landscape and monument protection. Don’t miss a visit to the island, which is located near Feldafing on the west bank. Prehistoric finds such as pile dwellings still bear witness to the fact that the island was probably settled as early as 3,700 BC. Today, the summer house of the former King Maximilian II, which bears the name “Casino”, is enthroned on the Rose Island. The Rose Island lives up to its name. The rose garden built on the island is of fascinating beauty. Here, countless tall-stemmed roses thrive under the Bavarian sun – the perfect ambience to say “I do” on the island from May to October.

Andechs Monastery combines cultural history and pure enjoyment

The cultural-historical side of Lake Starnberg is illuminated by the Andechs Monastery. This church, located on a holy mountain, is the second largest pilgrimage site in Bavaria. According to surviving writings, believers came to the Christian site as early as the 10th century, until the first pilgrimage to Andechs took place in 1128. But today there is another reason why the pilgrimage site is so popular. The church includes a monastery brewery, where beer is brewed according to an old Benedictine recipe. If you want, you can make yourself comfortable on the outdoor terrace or in the monastery restaurant to enjoy the view of Lake Starnberg with a glass of beer. Andechs Monastery is an excursion destination with many facets. After all, a walk through the adjacent herb garden is part of this visit.

Artistic insights in the Buchheim Museum of Fantasy

If you want to follow in the footsteps of well-known personalities such as the fairytale king Ludwig II or the legendary Empress Sisi, you should definitely include excursions to Possenhofen Castle in Pöcking, Berg Castle or the Votive Chapel in your excursion plans. The Buchheim Museum of Fantasy, located on the western shore of the lake, opens up completely different perspectives. This exhibition, located in Höhenrieder Park, is dedicated to various topics of art. The museum, which is seamlessly integrated into a slope, attracts visitors with a 3,200 square metre area on which expressionist works are presented in all their facets. Pictures and other works by well-known artists such as Erich Heckel or Ernst Ludwig Kirchner can be admired at this place. The Ethnological and Folklore Museum, which is part of the complex, presents impressive handicrafts from all over the world.

Culinary delights at Lake Starnberg

Crown your trip to Lake Starnberg with restaurant visits where you can enjoy typical Upper Bavarian delicacies. Lovers of a juicy portion of fresh meat can choose from spicy roast pork, local suckling lamb or hearty roast young beef. A classic is the so-called Bürgermeisterstückl – delicious meat from the upper leg of beef, which is served with horseradish. Hearts of those with a sweet tooth beat faster at the sight of desserts such as soufflés or a fruity apple cake. You can round off these creations with a delicious beer or homemade juices from the region.

The Harz Mountains are a low mountain range and include parts of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. It is the highest mountain range in all of northern Germany. The Harz Mountains have a length of over 100 kilometers and a width of 30 to 40 kilometers. Over 8,000 kilometres of hiking trails and a number of sights attract countless tourists all year round. We have summarized some of the highlights.

The Brocken

At 1,141 metres above sea level, the Brocken, also known as the Blocksberg , is not only the highest mountain in the Harz Mountains, but also in the whole of northern Germany. It is one of the most popular excursion destinations in the Harz Mountains and attracts more than two million visitors every year.

There are many different hiking trails that lead to the highest point of the mountain, such as the well-known eight-kilometer Goetheweg. It got its name because it was once assumed that Johann Wolfgang von Goethe chose this route in 1777 for his ascent to the Brocken. The almost twelve-kilometre-long Heinrich Heine Trail was named after the well-known German poet who visited the Harz Mountains in 1824.

Visitors who are not quite so good on foot can also easily reach the summit of the Brocken with the Brocken cable car. The passenger trains are pulled up the mountain by historic steam locomotives in about an hour and 30 minutes.

In good weather, the visitor is rewarded with a breathtaking view over the impressive mountain landscape. On the summit is also the Brocken Museum, which brings the visitor closer to the history of the Brocken and its surroundings. The Brocken Garden, which has existed since 1890, is also worth a visit. On over 1,000 square meters there are over 1,500 plant species from all over the world that only grow in the high mountains.

Tip: If you have a smaller budget, renting a holiday home or apartment in the Harz Mountains is particularly recommended.

The Harz National Park

Another great destination for hiking in the great outdoors and wilderness is the Harz National Park. It is one of the largest forest national parks in the whole of Germany. In 2006, the national park in Saxony-Anhalt with an area of about 8,900 hectares and the Lower Saxony National Park with an area of about 15,800 hectares became the transnational Harz National Park with a total area of 24,700 hectares.

About 95 percent are overgrown with spruce and beech forests and more than 7,000 plant and animal species have become native to the national park. This is largely due to the fact that nature is still left to its own devices here. Over 600 kilometres of hiking trails offer visitors the opportunity to explore the great outdoors and, with a bit of luck, observe deer, deer, wild boar and raccoons in their wild. The black stork, woodpecker, kingfisher, boreal owl, pygmy owl and capercaillie have also been spotted many times. Visitors are somewhat less likely to see the raccoon dog and the European lynx, as these animals are considered extremely shy and therefore pose no danger to humans at all.

The European lynx was even considered almost extinct since the 19th century. After it was decided in 1999 to reintroduce the European lynx, around twenty lynxes were released into the wild in the national park between 2000 and 2004. As early as 2002, the park was able to look forward to the first proven offspring. The Harz National Park is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Sankt Andreasberg high ropes course

If you are also looking for adrenaline and adventure while hiking , the Sankt Andreasberg high ropes course is the place to be. With an area of over 6,000 square meters, more than 120 varied obstacles and over 100 stations in the great outdoors, the park is one of the largest high ropes courses in the whole of Germany.

The garden is suitable for beginners and advanced hikers, as the obstacles are freely selectable and have a height between 0.8 and 18 meters. It consists of nets, ropes, climbing walls, suspension bridges and beams. The visitor is secured twice or three times and trained specialist staff is available everywhere.

The absolute highlight of the park is the Flying Fox, a 300-metre-long zip line that whizzes down into the valley at high speed over the Help of God Pond.

The Hexentanzplatz Zoo in Thale

Fun for the whole family is offered by the zoo at Hexentanzplatz. It has been in existence since 1973 and offers a protected home to more than 70 species of animals and trees over 200 years old. Inhabitants such as otters, martens, peregrine falcons, kestrels, wild boars, red foxes, eagle owls, golden eagles and storks can be observed in the wild.

The special highlights of the park are the large and natural wildlife enclosures. On 5,200 square meters, the bears have enough space and can perform their usual activities such as climbing, digging and bathing. Visitors have the opportunity to observe the brown bears over a higher bridge. The wolf territory is located on an area of about 3,200 square meters. Visitors can overlook the entire complex from a suspension bridge. The lynx hill has an area of about 1,100 square meters and offers the lynx areas to hide and climb. The enclosure is separated by fences and glass walls and visitors can observe the animals at ground level.

The zoo also offers a 4,000-square-metre golf course with a total of 18 holes on two courses, each with nine holes. Particularly interesting for children is the petting enclosure with goats, sheep and rabbits.