> Hike through the Partnachklamm
> Spend the night in the iconic Bayernhaus
> Enjoy breathtaking views across the Bavarian Alps
This quick 2-day hike is a short trek in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, capturing the essence of hiking in southern Germany. There's a choice between two routes on the second day: One is a short mild hike with the possibility to take the cable car down. The other is a more spicy hike, yet very doable for most hikers. The overnight stay in the more than 100 years old Bayernhaus is the cherry on the cake.
Doing multi-day treks is not for everybody. But the best way to experience the mountains is to spend at least a night in them. Especially in a place like the Bayernhaus. Perched on top of a ridge you can watch the sun set over the Alps, including Germany's highest peak Zugspitze. Most huts in the vicinity of the Partnachklamm are very accessible and only require a couple of hours walk at most. Or, if you're really feeling lazy, you can take a cable car. No matter what your choice is, Bookatrekking.com makes sure your hut is booked including dinner and breakfast, all you have to do is enjoy the beautiful trails around Partnachklamm.
This stage starts in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and leads from the ski jump stadium into the Partnach valley before climbing towards Toni Hütte am Riesserkopf. The main landmark is the Partnachklamm, a narrow gorge reached early in the route after following the Partnach River upstream. With 730 m of elevation gain, this is a steady climbing stage, especially after leaving the gorge area and continuing higher into the hills above town.
From the start, you follow the Partnach River towards the entrance of the Partnachklamm. After paying the entrance fee, you enter the gorge, where the path runs close to the water and includes a tunnel section. This is the highlight of the stage, with steep rock walls, the river below and a dramatic change from the open valley at the start.
After the gorge, the route climbs away from the river and continues through forested slopes and hillside paths. You pass viewpoints towards the Wetterstein Mountains and follow the high trail above Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The final section keeps climbing towards Toni Hütte am Riesserkopf, where the stage ends after a varied first day of river walking, gorge scenery and steady uphill hiking.
This stage leads from Toni Hütte am Riesserkopf to the cable car area at Kreuzeck. It is a short but steady uphill route, with 530 m of elevation gain packed into just over 4 km. The walk climbs almost continuously through forest and open ski-area terrain, with no real descent along the way. It is a direct mountain stage with clear views and a practical cable car finish.
From Toni Hütte am Riesserkopf, the route leaves the hut area and climbs through forest, soon passing a viewpoint towards the Zugspitze. You continue along wooded tracks and smaller paths, with a beautiful forested section before the trail opens up towards views of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Higher up, the route passes Trögel Hut and the Garmisch Classic Ski Area, with views towards the Wetterstein Mountains along the way.
The final stretch climbs past Kreuzeckalm Mountain Inn and continues towards Kreuzeck Summit. This area has several clear landmarks, including the mountain inn, ski-area buildings and the cable car station. The stage ends at the cable car, making it easy to descend from Kreuzeck after the uphill walk.
