Garmisch-Partenkirchen walking tour & city guide

Two villages

Garmisch, the larger half, has a lively pedestrian center and the old parish church. Partenkirchen, to the east, keeps a more traditional character, especially along Ludwigstraße, where houses are decorated with colorful frescoes called Lüftlmalerei, showing saints, hunting scenes and village life.

Zugspitze, Eibsee and Partnach Gorge

The summit of the Zugspitze, at 2,962 meters, can be reached by a cog railway and by cable car from the beautiful Eibsee lake, with views over four countries. Partnach Gorge, near the Olympic ski stadium, is a dramatic narrow canyon with a path cut into its rock walls. The Alpspitze and its viewing platform, AlpspiX, offer more Alpine views.

A classic walk through the villages

Start in Partenkirchen on Ludwigstraße and admire the painted houses, then walk west through the town to the center of Garmisch and its old church. From the Olympic ski stadium, follow the path along the river to the entrance of Partnach Gorge.

Walk through the gorge and return by the same route or continue up to the mountain meadows above. The walk to the gorge and back is about 7 kilometers.

Visiting tips

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is about 90 minutes from Munich by train. Summer is perfect for hiking and winter for skiing. Neuschwanstein Castle and the Wieskirche church are about an hour's drive away along the German Alpine Road.