A few vistas from our trip to The Partnach Gorge (or Klamm as it is better known in these parts!), a place we have had on our list for months, if not years.
This is not somewhere we will be taking Granny given past experiences however, and I shall most definitely be ignoring any suggestions from her as to how much she fancies taking photographs there herself… Carved through high alpine rock, thousands of years ago by an incredibly loud glacial river, there are quite spectacular photographs to take too (tough)!
The closest parking is actually just outside the 1936 Winter Olympics Stadium in Garmisch Partenkirchen, which of course we have all seen in various film footage and photographs, and really is in itself worth a visit if only to admire the vastness of the ski-jump and wonder at the craziness of some people (and not just the athletes!).
From here, it takes 20 minutes or so (perhaps a little longer if you are with dawdling children) to walk to the gateway. Then, depending on what time of day you visit, you might have a tiny wait until you reach the ticket office. Tickets are hardly extortionate – costing around €4 euros per person, less if you can prove you are a tourist (for once my appalling German did some good)! And then, just beyond this, a beautiful wild world awaits.
The walk through the Klamm takes around forty minutes – possibly longer in frozen conditions – that’s if you are not stopping behind people taking pictures every few seconds. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the patient people stuck behind me (thankfully most of them were actually my family – not usually patient, but awestruck on this occasion I reckon!). You can of course carry on and walk for miles on the other side, as once through the gorge, various serious-hiking options await. We turned back on this occasion as we had two small people with us who were periodically declaring that they were hungry, and with no guarantee of the closest food option on the hiking route being open, we thought it the safest option. And I am glad we did, or we wouldn’t have spotted this!
- Do bring a rain coat, not necessarily for the weather, but for the highly prolific waterfalls… You will get a soaking otherwise.
- Do bring a torch if you don’t like the idea of walking through the tunnels and galleries in the pitch black. Whilst at times we found this quite amusing (reminiscent of playing “murder in the dark” at parties as a young child – just without intentional tapping or any exaggerated “dying” noises!). I can understand why others might not – especially when it’s busy.
- Do wear sensible footwear, so you don’t slip if anything else. We did witness persons in ambitious footwear attempting the walk, I would like to know how long it took them. Likewise, for obvious reasons push-chairs and wheelchairs can’t get through either.
- Do bring people here that you don’t particularly like very much, or perhaps an awkward first date? The roar of the river is so loud you won’t need to talk as you won’t be able to hear a thing.
- I know this is my standard advice, but do visit first thing in the morning to get it more or less to yourselves, or over lunch time. Mittagsessen is sacred here and most people will be busy eating.
Never fear, we will be back in the winter months (i.e. not all that far away!) for further admiration opportunities.
Isabella says
I was there in Wintertime walking in the night with torches. That was an adventure!
Emma says
That sounds great. Will have to look into that! Thanks Isabella! (:
Jessica @ Independent Travel Cats says
Looks like a beautiful place to visit and hike!
bavaria says
Thank you Jessica! :)
pinkoddy says
That looks/sounds so romantic. I don’t think we’d need to hear each other – what a special sight to share. I think there would be a lot of clinging to each other too – that looks very high. Loving the sound of the waterfall too.
bavaria says
Thanks so much J (:
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
That comment about Partnach Gorge being good for an awkward first date had me laughing. Does the water freeze over in the winter? Now, you definitely need to go in a few months and take photos so that we can compare.
bavaria says
I think it does sometimes. Nevermind a few months, it started snowing here at the end of October the first year we moved here! :D Will definitely go bak to investigate! :)
Adelina // Pack Me To says
Wow, that ski jump is crazy! Whoever decided that hurling themselves off such a steep incline must have needed to get his head checked. Otherwise, the rest of the walk seemed perfectly lovely. I really like the colour of the water.
bavaria says
The water is gorgeous isn’t it? And yes, crazy I tell you! :D Thanks Adelina! (:
Annie @ Manneskjur says
This is me testing the comments on your new theme!
Aly says
Why can’t you find some dire place to visit? Everywhere you looks amazing and I just want to pack my bags and go.I can’t wait to see Wintry photos soon.
bavaria says
I will try. Thanks Aly xx
Mary {The World Is A Book} says
What an absolutely gorgeous place! I can just imagine how immense those rocks look in person with the river roaring in the background. Beautiful photos and I especially love that second to the last one with the light filtering between the gorge. Thanks for the virtual tour! hope your technical difficulties get resolved soon.
bavaria says
Thank you Mary. I think the technical difficulties are just about resolved too! :)
SJ @ Chasing the Donkey says
What a fab place to take the kiddies too – great tip to bring a raincoat! Thanks for joining us and I hope the comments are fixed soon.
bavaria says
Thanks so much SJ! All fixed now! (:
Jenn Turnbull says
The water is so beautiful! Almost looks turquoise in some of the pictures. Do you happen to know if that’s from minerals? There are some awesome rivers in Costa Rica that look similar and they’re a crazy blue color because of a chemical reaction between minerals.
bavaria says
I think it could well be from certain minerals in the mountain water, but I also think it’s because it’s so clean too! Thanks so much Jenn!
Henry | @fotoeins says
Both times I’ve been in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, I’ve been seduced by the Zugspitze. It’s so very beautiful with that “top” view, but there’s so much more. Yes, I want to go up and down Zugspitze from the Austrian (Tirolian) side at Ehrwald. Yes, I want to hike the Partnach gorge and see all the beauty about which you wrote (and my friends have seen as well). Yes, I want to go up the gondolas up to Alpspitze, and have a walk up there. Yes, I want to take the regional train to Reutte in Tirol. Yes, I want to take the regional train to Mittenwald, go up the Karwendel, and have a walkabout there. Yes, I want to take that same latter regional train to Innsbruck, which I’ve not yet done. Yes, I view this entire area as a short- to medium-term project. :-) Thanks for writing about the Partnachklamm!
bavaria says
Thank you so much Henry. You must investigate the Iglu sleeping as well! (:
angela says
Stunning pictures, can’t wait to see more from your future winter trip :-)
bavaria says
Thank you Angela! (:
Anda says
The Alps regions are gorgeous, indeed. I’ve been in Germany a few times so far and always felt I’ve spent too little time there. Good post about the Partnach Gorge.
bavaria says
Thank you Anda! (:
Confessions of a New Mummy says
Such great photos, it looks like a really stunning place to visit. (Found via #countrykids)
bavaria says
Thank you. It is so stunning, it’s hard to believe it’s real if you know what I mean! :D
Coombemill says
What spectacular scenery, it looks like a real eye opener and that ski jump looks insane! I’m not sure I would be happy taking children along here though for fear of them slipping somewhere; those railings do no way look child friendly.
bavaria says
I was worried about this before we went in, but it was suprisingly safe. The few places I didn’t feel that happy about, I made them walk on the inside of the gorge touching the wall! :) Thank you…
Ann says
We have decided to make a visit to this part of Germany an annual thing after our visit there this past May. We missed the Partnach Gorge the last trip, but will definitely include it in our itinerary next year! Gorgeous.
(Also – I know the fix to the comments if you want to email me. I can send you the link.)
bavaria says
Thank you Ann, and yes you must visit! Thank you for the offer of help. I am currently booked in for a complete blog overhaul so hopefully all will be back up and running soon enough! If only it was that simple to book yourself in for a complete overhaul in person too! :D
Phoebe @ lou Messugo says
This looks lovely, I’m a big fan of gorges, we have quite a few around where I live too. I like your advice of visiting with someone you don’t like very much!!! Excellent!
bavaria says
This really is the perfect place Phoebe. And if you really don’t like them, walk back through to double the time! :D Thank you x
Michelle Twin Mum says
Wow, it looks amazing, I certianly fancy a visit to the Klamm.
Mich x
bavaria says
Thanks Michelle, it’s gorgeous! (: x
Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
What an amazing place to visit, simply stunning!
bavaria says
Thank you (:
Midlife Singlemum says
The pictures are so dramatic. I love your last two tips – good thinking on both accounts. :)
bavaria says
Thanks Rachel… the one about taking people you don’t like is so true as it’s sooooo loud! :D
older mum in a muddle says
This is amazingly beautiful. I can’t get over how dramatic it looks, and those blue waters! X
bavaria says
Thanks so much! xx
Trish says
We loved our trip along the gorge in Austria last year -the sheer power of the waterfalls is tremendous. I can see why you won’t be taking your mother on this little jaunt!
bavaria says
Thank you Trish… Absolutely no way! :D xx