The Partnach Gorge (Partnachklamm) is a beautiful ravine with milky blue water in the Bavarian Alps of Germany. There is an awesome hiking path along one side of the water, which runs through cave tunnels and under waterfalls! Visiting the Partnach Gorge makes for a great day trip from Munich, and it is definitely a must-see if you are visiting the Bavarian Alps. Here is my guide to hiking the Partnach Gorge!
GETTING THERE
The Partnach Gorge is located in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a ski town in Bavaria, southern Germany. There are several well-known attractions nearby, such as Zugspitze (the highest mountain in Germany), beautiful Eibsee lake, and the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is about an hour drive from Munich, Germany. You can also take a train from Munich to the Garmisch-Partenkirchen station, followed by bus #1 or #2 to Skistadion.
If you are driving to the Partnach Gorge, park your car at the Olympic Ski Stadium (Olympic Skistadion). Parking will cost only a small fee. Make sure to take a look at the stadium, as this is where the 1936 Winter Olympics were held. You can even see where Hitler stood to watch the games.
From the stadium, follow the signs for Partnachklamm. It is a 30 minute scenic walk to the entrance of the gorge. There is also an option to take a horse-drawn carriage ride for a fee during peak season.
WHAT TO DO
Hiking the Partnachklamm trail is a must. Make sure to wear good shoes and clothes that can get wet! You will have to pay a small fee at the entrance.
You will love this unique trail that is carved out of the limestone walls. Passing through cave tunnels and under waterfalls makes for an adventurous experience. Not to mention you’ll be walking next to beautiful blue water! When you emerge from the rock walls, you will be rewarded with the most amazing view. From here, we turned around and headed back to the car, but there are a few different trails that you can continue hiking if you choose to do so.
WHERE TO EAT
On our way back to the car, we stopped and had lunch at Klammhaus an der Partnach, which was wonderful. The food was delicious and the beer garden is situated right next to the gorge – such a great view! I highly recommend stopping here if you need a bite to eat.
I hope you enjoyed my guide to hiking the Partnach Gorge!
To read my blog post, “A Road Trip Through Southern Germany and the Austrian Alps,” click here.
