Garmisch-Partenkirchen & Partnachklamm

Fell the climate of the Alps

Garmisch-Partenkirchen (short called Ga-Pa) is a village known primarily from ski jumping competitions. Not same situation is with one of its biggest attractions – Partnachklamm. It’s not as popular as the place itself, although the queue to the entrance on our trip would suggest something opposite. Anyway, 2 months ago we had no idea about Partnachklamm. Fortunately, watching other travel blogs on Instagram allows us to discover new places. That is why we should always share the travel experience! Therefore don’t hesitate to check our content of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Partnachklamm. Just scroll down! 🙂

How to get to Garmisch-Partenkirchen

The best and fastest option is the Deutsche Bahn train. From Munich runs daily and directly several trains during the day. We also drove from Munich (but only the first time) and bought a Bayern Ticket for 37 euros (cost per 3 people). Journey duration around 1,5 h.

Very brief history of the city

We won’t write a full story of this place in this heading. There are other websites with focus on history, but let me tell you a few facts. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is actually two cities: Garmisch and Partenkirchen. The Partnach River was the boundary of cities. In 1935, at the behest of Hitler, the two cities were merged. Although, the place counts about 26 thousand. residents, it doesn’t have the official status of the city. Interestingly, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is defined as a powerful, community / regional center. I admit that this is a fairly original classification, with which I have never met before. 😀

Weather

We visited Ga-Pa exactly in the mid-August. Just a few days before our arrival the weather was terrible – rain, wind and cold (15-18 degrees). Meanwhile, we were greeted by beautiful, sunny weather! We only regreted we didn’t wear shorts. Only occasionally appeared clouds on the sky. However, don’t forget that this is already a mountain town and the weather can change all the time and very rapidly!

Exploring Garmisch-Partenkirchen!

We arrived to Ga-Pa for a very short trip, because only half a day. However, I guarantee you that you can spend a week here or even more. In addition to the charming Ga-Pa and the incredible Partnachklamm, it is necessary to reach the nearby summits. Not only the highest peak in Germany – Zugspitze (2962 m. N.m.) – is waiting here for you. There are plenty of other mountains in the area to explore. We are also planning to return to Garmisch-Partenkirchen to make up for these arrears.

I hope you won’t be dissapointed, because I don’t have any special sightseeing plan for you here. 😀 Simply, I recommend to take a walk around the city and looking at the various streets. You won’t need a map. Although the streets are winding, the „center” is small and even if you get lost you will find yourself in a moment! We left the main station, turned left and went towards into something that looked like the main street.

When walking around the city, take a look at the beautiful paintings / frescoes on the houses. It’s the famous Bavarian Lüftlmalerei that I’ve already mentioned during our trip to Füssen. This kind of art often refers to saints, angels, daily life, or historical events.

Attitude to tradition and regionalism can be seen and heard not only in art or in (Bavarian) language but also in clothing. Bavarian residents are eager to wear their famous Bavarian costume (dirndl for women), although they are not the cheapest clothes. A few days before the Oktoberfest, I managed to buy dirndl at C&A for 100 Euros (it was one of the cheapest)!

Große Olympiaschanze – ski jump

If you arrive to the the railways station, take the bus to the ski jump. It’s quite far away so it’s much better to take a public transport there. From the main station leaves a bus every few minutes and 15 min later you will be on spot. If you have a Bayern Ticket, then you don’t have to buy an additional ticket! 🙂

The entrance to the stadium is free. In 1936 the Olympics took place here, hence the name of the facility „Olympia”. Today, only memories remained. The jump was blown in April the 2007 with explosive charges. A new modern ski jump was built in its place and meets now all FIS requirements. This is how the ski jump was enlarged from the construction point of K-115 m to K-125 m. Besides, the complex also includes K80, K43 and K20. At the stadium, every year – on the January 1st – is a competition of the Four Hills Tournament.

Partnachklamm

Near the ski jump is located a beautiful nature monument – Partnachklamm. A well marked path will take you straight to the wet gorge. The route to Partnachklamm is very pleasant. The flat terrain and asphalt pathway are conducive to walkers of all ages. About 20 minutes later you should be at the entrance. Normal ticket costs 5 euros. Be aware that the opening hours of the gorge depends on weather conditions. Fortunately ours were favorable! On Saturday, around noon, in the tourist season we had to stand still in 20 minutes. queue…

Partnachklamm is a gorge, which is grooved by the mountain river. It has a 702 m lenght and reaches a depth of 80 m. Already in 1912 it was appreciated for its beauty and announcement as a natural monument. It also made on us a great impression and gave us a lot of laughter! The path in the gorge is quite narrow and very slippery. I recommend good shoes in this place. Sometimes it is hard to miss out, or even stop for longer just to take a photo, because you can block the traffic. 😀 Water flows down the walls, sometimes in very large quantities, so be prepared for the possibility of getting wet. 🙂 The temperature in the gorge is a little lower than it is outside, so on cooler days, it is worth to have some extra jacket or sweater.

After visiting the ravine we returned to the station and drove to Füssen to see Neuschwanstein. I hope to return to Ga-Pa soon to reach the nearby mountains. 🙂

Have you already been to Garmisch-Partenkirchen? Have you entered the Partnachklamm? Let us know!

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