Garmisch-Partenkirchen Travel Guide

Enjoy a breathtaking ride to the top of Germany's highest mountain (almost 10,000 feet). A particularly beautiful way up the mountain is to go up by cogwheel train to the Schneefern glacier, then change to the glacier cable car, which takes you to Germany's highest summit. The visitor is awaited by a breath-taking 360 degree panoramic view over countless peaks in Austria, Italy, Switzerland and of course Germany.

After soaking in the view you can take the Eibsee cable car, with wonderful views of the Eibsee, back down into the valley. At the Eibsee you rejoin the cogwheel train to travel back to Grainau or Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Of course you can make this round trip in the opposite direction.

There is a restaurant at the top and many nearby hiking trails during summer; winter of course leads to skiing and snowboarding.

Werdenfels Castle, where accused witches were held, tried and executed at the turn of the 16th century, became an object of superstitious horror and was abandoned in the 17th century. It was largely torn down in the 1750's and its stones used to build the baroque Neue Kirche (New Church) on Marienplatz, which was completed in 1752. It replaced the nearby Gothic Alte Kirche (Old Church), parts of which predated Christianity and may originally have been a pagan temple. Some of its medieval frescoes are still visible.

The King's House on Schachen (Königshaus am Schachen) is a small castle at Schachen Witterstein, about 10 km south of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, built by Ludwig II of Bavaria. The castle was constructed between 1869 and 1872 and was used as a hunting lodge and retreat for the king. It can only be reached by a three to four hour hike, either from Elmau or Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and provides a view of the Zugspitze.

One room (known as the Turkish Room) occupies the entire upper-floor of the castle, and is elaborately decorated in an Oriental fashion. The extravagant interior stands in stark contrast to the exterior, which is rather modest.

The castle is open from June to October, and daily tours are offered at 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Admission is 4 € Adults, 3 &euros; concessions.

The Partnach Gorge, or Partnachklamm, acts as a natural conduit for the Partnach River and runs 700 meters or 2,305 feet between limestone walls that reach 80 meters (262 feet) high. A series of galleries and tunnels has been carved out of the rock along one side, allowing visitors to walk along the rushing river and duck behind waterfalls. The gorge is open year-round except for a short time in the spring when melting snow makes the route impassable.

To reach the gorge, walk, drive, or take local bus 1 or 2 from central Garmisch or Partenkirchen to the Olympic Ski Stadium. From there, follow the signs for the 30-minute walk into the Partnach Gorge. Transportation by horsedrawn carriage is available for a modest fee.

Admission: Adults: €2, or €1.50 with a Visitor's Card. Children 5-16: €1. Disabled visitors: €1.

2000 years ago the Ludwigstrasse was part of the Via Claudia Roman alpine road from Augsburg to Bozen. About 1000 years ago the street was the local trading place in the Werdenfelser Land which was widely known as the Golden Landl. Today the historic cobblestoned Ludwigstrasse in the heart of Partenkirchen invites you to stroll, linger, shop and to have a meal in one of the numerous bavarian guesthouses and restaurants.