Garmisch-Partenkirchen Travel Forum

Last time my wife and I visited Garmisch was during autumn. We hiked Partnach Gorge and went quite a good distance; we spent several hours hiking up to a plateau and back down the other side through a village with a very old white church. I don't remember the names of the village(s) we passed through, but we came out along the road to Mittenwald/Innsbruck, and passed the swimming pool on our way back into town.

Now, this hike was a bit steep in an treacherous in spots, even in the fall when there was no snow on the ground. In late December/early January, will it be possible to hike these trails? My wife and I own snowshoes; should we bring them? Are the trails well groomed in the winter months?

Many thanks!

The village is Wamberg and if you go down from the path between Eckbauer and Elmau it certainly is steep and difficult if it is icy. If there is fresh snow it does help. In Dec/Jan Partnachklamm is full of ice and spectacular but it may be closed. If it is cold there is no problem but if it warms up it has to close as the ice crashes down as it melts and that's too dangerous. All the paths are well marked and mini snow blowers clear the paths and help mark the way. I wouldn't say snowshoes were necessary unless you go much higher and off the trails. Avoid the ski slopes between Kreuzeck and Hausberg and you'll be fine. Recommend walking to Mittenwald via Eckbauer and Elmau or walking up to Eibsee. Hope it snows and you enjoy it.

Thanks for the reply, Paul, and thanks for your advice on my train schedule thread as well. My wife and I are VERY excited to be going back to Garmisch. We were last there one year ago (November 2006), and expect to start a family soon. My wife is a teacher, so this winter break may be our last chance to go to Garmisch for several years (until our children are old enough to travel). We can't wait to hear the train horn echo through the valley, hike to the war memorial and Wamberg, etc... again!