Fancy a day trip to the Alps from Munich? You have come to the right place!
Munich is one of my favourite cities in Germany. Despite the alleged arrogance of the denizens of Munich, the occasional FKK (Freikörperkultur) embracing dude in the English garden and the Foehn raging through the city time and again, Munich has a charm that just cannot go unnoticed. In fact, part of its charm is its indisputable proximity to the Alps! The convenience of hopping on a train on a Saturday morning with hiking poles and shoes to explore the Alps is an advantage that HAS to be fully utilised if you are ever in Munich!
Therefore, in this blogpost, I am going to introduce a few beginner appropriate gorges hikes that can be done as a day trip from Munich.
Contents
- Why choose a gorge hike?
- Breitachklamm
- Getting to Breitachklamm
- Things to know about Breitachklamm
- Hikes around Breitachklamm
- Partnachklamm
- Getting to Partnachklamm
- Things to know about Partnachklamm
- Hikes around Partnachklamm
- Höllentalklamm
- Getting to Höllentalklamm
- Things to know about Höllentalklamm
- Hikes around Höllentalklamm
- Wimbachklamm
- Getting to Wimbachklamm
- Things to know about Wimbachklamm
- Hikes around Wimbachklamm
- Leutaschklamm
- Getting to Leutaschklamm
- Things to know about Leutaschklamm
- Hikes around Leutaschklamm
- Ready, Set, Go!
Why choose a gorge hike?
A gorge (or ‘klamm’ in dear German) is a narrow, steep, rocky valley often weathered by erosion thanks to the water body flowing through it. I truly believe that gorges are a sight to behold! Although, I would never in a million years attempt to single handedly hike through a dilapidated gorge, most gorges in Germany are strictly maintained! This is also the reason why most of these gorges have an entrance fee. The cost goes towards the repair and maintenance of the footpaths and bridges spanning through these natural wonders. It is also because of these precariously laid footpaths that I would constitute a gorge hike as a perfect, beginner friendly adventure.
As a final bonus, the beauty of tiny turbulent streams cutting through mighty rock faces is bound to make a novice hiker fall in love with the outdoors. So, my intention with this blogpost can be construed as mildly evil a.k.a., make you fall irrevocably in love with hiking just like me by giving you the right tools! 😉
If you stumbled upon this post looking for a more challenging day hike from Munich and not just a short hike through a gorge, a list of all my summit hikes is linked here. Some of my favorites are as follows,
- Schrecksee – Highest Mountain Lake in the German Alps as a Day Trip from Munich
- Rubihorn – A Gorgeous Day Hike from Munich in the Allgäu Alps
- Kramerspitz – Challenging Day Hike from Munich in Garmisch Partenkirchen
Breitachklamm as a Day Trip from Munich
Breitachklamm is located in the Allgäu Alps, a few miles from Oberstdorf. Although getting here from Munich with public transportation is a bit tedious and takes close to three hours, the walk through the gorge is a feast to the eyes! Therefore, for a day trip from Munich, I absolutely recommend Breitachklamm.
Breitachklamm Pocket Guide
Getting to Breitachklamm
If opting for public transportation options, depending on your time of departure from Munich, you will either have to take a direct train to Oberstdorf or Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) to Füssen, switch at Kaufbeuren and continue in a regional train (RE) to Oberstdorf. Upon reaching Oberstdorf, continue with Bus 44 to Breitachklamm (10 minute ride from Oberstdorf Busbahnof). More information regarding the train and bus schedules can be found here. The departure and arrival stations must be mentioned as ‘München Hbf’ and ‘Breitachklamm’. If you would rather drive, put this GPS co-ordinates in your navigation device and you are good to go!
Things to know before heading to Breitachklamm
- The gorge is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00.
- The entry fee to the gorge is 6.50 EUR per person.
- The gorge is usually open during both summer and winter months. During spring, due to the melting of the snow and subsequent increase in water levels, the gorge is closed. The exact dates differ from year to year. You can check the opening status here.
- Due to the current COVID crisis, online tickets are preferred over paper tickets in order to reduce contact. Online tickets can be purchased here.
- The walk through the gorge takes approximately two hours at a very leisurely pace.
- An alternate parking spot is available on the Austrian side of the gorge if you are arriving from there . The GPS co-ordinates of this parking spot is linked here. Both parking spots charge 3 EUR for an entire day.
- More information regarding the gorge can be found in their official website.
Partnachklamm as a Day Trip from Munich
Partnachklamm in Garmisch Partenkirchenis hardly a secret. If you live in Munich, you have probably been here at least once. I, myself, have been here a hoard of times both with friends and family as it is definitely one of the most easily accessible gorges from Munich!
Partnachklamm Pocket Guide
Getting to Partnachklamm
Trailhead: Entrance of the Gorge
If opting for public transportation options, any regional train departing from Munich to Mittenwald, Seefeld or Innsbrück Hbf will halt at Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Once at Garmisch, head to the bus stop right outside the train station and hop on either bus number 1 or 2 to Skistadion. From here, the entrance of the gorge is just a 30 minute walk away. The timetable for the buses can be found here. If you would rather drive, it is possible to park at the Olympia-Skistadion nearby and walk to the trailhead. In this case, put this GPS co-ordinates in your navigation device.
Things to know before heading to Partnachklamm
- The gorge is open daily from 8:00 to 20:00 from June to September and from 8:00 to 18:00 from October to May. Last entry to the gorge is 90 minutes before the closing time.
- The entry fee to the gorge is 6 EUR per person.
- The gorge is usually open all through the year. However, on some days it is closed for maintenance. The opening status of the gorge can be checked here.
- Due to the current COVID crisis, online tickets are preferred over paper tickets in order to minimise contact. Online tickets can be purchased here.
- The walk through the gorge takes approximately an hour at a leisurely pace.
- More information regarding the gorge can be found in their official website.
Hikes around Partnachklamm
The best view of Partnachklamm is undoubtedly the one from the top. When I discussed this view point with my friends, I was pleasantly surprised at how many of them simple exited the groge without heading up here! So, if you are visiting Partnachklamm, after the exit, you MUST hike up to ‘Eiserne Brücke’ (Iron Bridge).
To get to this viewpoint, after exiting Partnachklamm, walk further to an intersection (~200m away), and turn left to a road that goes steeply up. At this point, there’s also a sign that says Eiserne Brücke (Iron Bridge). The hike up is short (20 – 25 min) and fairly easy. Fifteen minutes into the hike, you will reach Kaiserschmarrn Alm and shortly after, you will come across a second sign with clear instructions to Eiserne Brücke. Turn left here to the small path that goes down to the bridge. After enjoying the bird’s eye view of the gorge, continue in the other direction to the entrance of the gorge. The entrance is merely 10 minutes away and completes the perfect round trip hike of Partnachklamm.
NOTE: The path to the Eiserne Brücke is no longer accessible!! A winter storm has left the bridge completely damaged and restoration work is currently in progress.
Alternatively, you can also return to Kaiserschmarrn Alm, head up to Eckbauer and dine at Eckbauer Gasthof with perfect views of Zugspitze, Alpspitze and the Karwendel mountains! This little hike will always be a special one for me because this was the first time I forgot my camera on one of the benches enroute Eckbauer! Thankfully, a kind stranger found it and was gracious enough to return it to me. The power of kindness is truly something else, eh?!
Höllentalklamm as a day trip from Munich
Höllentalklamm is hands down one of my absolute favorite gorges! Out of all the gorges I have listed so far, this one feels most like an actual hike. So, if you want to pick a day trip from Munich that borders on an actual hike experience, I would highly recommend Höllentalklamm. Moreover, this is also one of the starting points of the Zugspitze tour!
Höllentalklamm Pocket Guide
Getting to Höllentalklamm
Trailhead: Entrance of the Gorge
If opting for public transportation options, any regional train departing from Munich to Mittenwald, Seefeld or Innsbrück Hbf will halt at Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Once at Garmisch either head to the bus stop right outside the train station and hop on the Eibsee bus or take the Zugspitzbahn to Hammersbach. From here, Höllentalklamm is approximately an hour away if hiking at a very leisurely pace. If you would rather drive, it is possible to park at the Hammersbach Wanderparkplatz nearby. In this case, put this GPS co-ordinates in your navigation device.
Things to know before heading to Höllentalklamm
- The gorge is open all around the clock in the summer months (end of May to end of October)
- The entry fee to the gorge is 5 EUR per person.
- The location of Höllental is such that it is extremely susceptible to avalanches. Due to this, the footbridges that run through the Höllentalklamm is dismantled after the hiking season and reassembled prior to the hiking season every single year. Therefore, the gorge is completely closed during the off season!
- The walk through the gorge takes approximately an hour at a leisurely pace.
- The parking fee at Hammersbach is 10 EUR for 12 hours.
- More information regarding the gorge can be found in their official website.
Hikes around Höllentalklamm
After exiting from the gorge, I highly recommend continuing to Höllentalangerhütte and dining there. The location of the outdoor seating at this hut is just perfect. You will be completely surrounded by the mighty mountains!
After a short break here, I coninued further to Osterfelderkopf. Therefore, if you are looking for a hiking adventure, you could do the same. However, this is at least three to four hours away. A recent accident that resulted in the death of two hikers was also on this trail to Osterfelderkopf. Therefore, I absolutely do not recommend this trail for beginner hikers. A perfect relaxed day trip would be Höllentalklamm and a hearty meal at Höllentalangerhütte!
Wimbachklamm as a Day Trip from Munich
Wimbachklamm is the shortest gorge that I have ever been to. It is only 200m in length but the landscape of this gorge is simply mid blowing. However, if you are relying on public transportation to get to Wimbachklamm from Munich, I would skip it as it takes forever to get here and it quite small! It is better to add it in when you visit Berchtesgaden instead!
Wimbachklamm Pocket Guide
Getting to Wimbachklamm
Trailhead: Parkplatz Wimbachbrücke
If opting for public transportation options, hop on a train to Berchtesgaden. Getting to Berchtesgaden with trains is a bit time consuming! You will either have to change at Freilassing or at Salzburg. Once at Berchtesgaden, head to the bus stop right outside the train station and take bus number 846 to Hintersee and alight at Wimbachbrücke, Ramsau. From here, Wimbachklamm is just a twenty minute walk away. If you would rather drive, it is possible to park at a parking lot close to Wimbachbrücke bus stop called, Parkplatz Wimbachbrücke. In this case, put this GPS co-ordinates in your navigation device.
Things to know before heading to Wimbachklamm
- The gorge is open daily from 7 am till 7 pm.
- The entry fee to the gorge is 3 EUR per person. The tickets are only available from a ticket machine at the entrance of the gorge.
- The walk through the gorge takes under half an hour at an extremely leisurely pace.
- The parking fee at Wimbachbrücke is 5 EUR for 4 hours.
- More information regarding the gorge can be found in their official website.
Hikes around Wimbachklamm
Since this gorge is tiny, I would highly recommend combining this trip with another activity. One option after completing the walk through the gorge is to hike further to Wimbachgrieshütte. However, this is a long hike and takes around six hours, one way. Therefore, unless you plan to spend the night at Wimbachgrieshütte (bookings can be made here), I would recommend heading to Hintersee and Zauberwald instead! I truly believe that Hintersee is one of the most picturesque lakes in Bavaria. To get here, hop on bus 846 from Wimbachbrücke to Hintersee and alight at the last stop.
Leutaschklamm as a Day Trip from Munich
It is not often that a nature getaway is equally cherished by both adults and kids alike. Leutaschklamm in the Austrian/German border is an apt example of one such day trip from Munich. Although this gorge is massively overlooked due to the popularity of two other gorges in this area ( Partnachklamm and Höllentalklamm), Leutaschklamm is just as special! An old urban legend claims that goblins used to reside in this gorge. In fact, there are posters and signs all along the path animating the legend of the gorge goblins piquing the curiosity of the little ones making this gorge a perfect family day trip location!
Leutaschklamm Pocket Guide
Getting to Leutaschklamm
Trailhead: Leutasch Wasserfallsteig
If opting for public transportation options, Mittenwald is where you have to alight in order to start this hike. Any regional train departing from Munich to Mittenwald, Seefeld or Innsbrück Hbf will halt at Mittenwald. Once at Mittenwald, head in the direction of Leutaschklamm. Soon enough, the first yellow boards will appear making it easier to navigate to Leutaschklamm. If you would rather drive, it is possible to park at Parkplatz Ried nearby. In this case, put this GPS co-ordinates in your navigation device.
Things to know before heading to Leutaschklamm
- Leutaschklamm has three sections, Wasserfallsteig, Koboldpfad and Panoramabrücke. The former has a small entry fee of 3 EUR per person whereas the latter two are completely free.
- Wasserfallsteig is only open during the summer months. Access to Koboldpfad and Panoramabrücke is possible till the first snowfall in autumn.
- The walk through all sections of the gorge takes about two hours.
- For upto three hours, there is no parking fee at Parkplatz Ried . If arriving from Austria or looking for an alternate parking spot, Parkplatz Leutascher Geisterklamm is an option. Parking here is 5 EUR for the whole day.
- More information regarding the gorge can be found in their official website.
Hikes around Leutaschklamm
The walk through the gorge is already involves a border crossing to Austria. However, after exiting the gorge, you will probably need to re-enter Germany! Instead of walking back through the gorge again, I hiked to Berggastof Ederkanzel, had a lovely meal with a view of Karwendel mountains and made my way back to Mittenwald. If you are still feeling motivated to cover more ground, you could also visit the nearby Lautersee and Ferchensee for a full day of nature walks!
Ready, Set, Go!
Hiking is my absolute favorite hobby! It moulds my personality in so many ways by constantly enabling me to push my limits. With this list of beginner friendly hikes, I hope I was able to motivate you to try hiking out too! I promise, it will be a life changing experience.
Before you embark on your hiking adventure, I highly recommend skimming through my mountain hiking guide for an unparalleled overview on alpine hiking. Moreover, all the equipment required to conquer an alpine hike is listed in this blog post.
If you are looking for another beginner friendly hiking experience in Germany, I highly recommend the following summit hikes enough:
- Rotwand – An easy beginner appropriate summit hike
- Brauneck – Day Hike easily accessible from Munich
- Jochberg – Quick Beginner Mountain Hike in Kochel
- Archenkanzel – Hidden viewpoint over lake Königssee
If you are looking for a bit of a challenge accompanied by some spectacular views, I recommend the following hikes,
- Schrecksee – The highest mountain lake in the German Alps
- Rubihorn – A complete Allgäu Experience with postcard views
- Kramerspitz – The perfect day hike from Munich
- Olpererhütte – Austria’s best kept secret view
Have any other questions? Leave them in the comments below!
Pin for later,
