Partnach Gorge Hike: Route, Distance, Tickets and Access
Plan the Partnachklamm gorge hike from Garmisch-Partenkirchen with route options, distance and ascent, tickets, opening hours and bus access to the trailhead.
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The Partnachklamm gorge hike delivers the kind of scenery usually reserved for long mountain days in under three hours: a narrow limestone slot carved by the Partnach River, with wooden walkways bolted to the rock, tunnels, bridges and waterfalls soaking the path. It suits hikers of most fitness levels, families included, and the short version involves almost no climbing at all.
The hike starts on the edge of Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the Olympia-Skistadion, the 1936 Olympic ski jump complex, and the full loop runs 6.3 km (3.9 miles) with about 220 m (720 ft) of ascent, taking 2–3 hours.
The gorge walk or the full loop
You have two decisions to make before setting off. The first is whether to walk the gorge as an out-and-back, turning around just before the far turnstile, or to exit at the far end and climb through the hay meadows back to the river road. The out-and-back keeps the day short and avoids every uphill stretch, while the loop adds open views toward the high Alps and a couple of mountain huts. It is the same out-and-back-or-loop choice you will weigh when hiking in Innsbruck, where alpine trails offer a similar short or long alternative.
The second decision is timing. Hikers who want the gorge without the crowds should arrive at opening time or start after 4pm, since summer weekends bring the heaviest foot traffic through the narrowest sections.
Trailhead and parking
Park at the Olympia-Skistadion car park on the southern edge of Garmisch-Partenkirchen; search for the stadium by name on your maps app. The day rate is €5, and public toilets by the car park take €0.50 in exact change, with cleaner facilities near Partnachlodge for €1.00.
From the car park, walk through the ski stadium to its far side, passing the four jump sizes from beginner to extreme, then turn left on the small road along the river. This approach is banned to most traffic and runs about 1.5 km (0.9 miles) to the gorge ticket office, so budget 20 minutes before you even reach the turnstile.
Getting there by bus and train
Buses leave from Garmisch-Partenkirchen train station. Bus 2 runs directly to the Olympic Ski Stadium car park, while buses 9608 and 9618 stop at Wildenauer Straße, a three-minute walk from the car park. From Munich, take the train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen or a direct long-distance coach.
Once in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the whole approach is on foot, so leave the car behind if you are staying in town. If you want other day hikes from the same base, the hiking in garmisch partenkirchen guide covers the surrounding valleys and summits.
Tickets, opening times and the entrance turnstile
The gorge is open 8am–8pm from June to September and 8am–6pm from October to May, and it stays open all year, including mid-winter when the walls and waterfalls freeze. Adult tickets cost €7.50, children €3 and dogs €2.00, with dogs kept on a lead throughout. Buy at the desk or from the machines, which take card and cash.
The ticket office sits a short walk before the turnstile that marks the real entrance to the gorge, so keep your ticket handy until you pass through. Beyond the gate the route begins with a short, dark tunnel before opening onto the walkways.
Distance, ascent and walking time
The full loop measures 6.3 km (3.9 miles) with roughly 220 m (720 ft) of climbing and takes 2–3 hours at a relaxed pace. The gorge section itself is only about 700 m (0.4 miles) long, which is why the out-and-back version fits into a much shorter window.
One account logs the longer one-way variation with the meadow extension at 8.6 km (5.3 miles), roughly 1.5 hours of moving time and two hours with photo stops, so treat any single distance figure as route-dependent. The climb out of the gorge on the loop is the only sustained uphill, and it is short.
Route description: ski stadium to the gorge
Walk through the Olympic Ski Stadium, turn left along the river road and follow it as it winds past exposed rock faces. At about 1.5 km you reach the ticket office, then continue a short distance to the turnstile and the first tunnel.
The walkways are well maintained and mostly made of wood, with bridges and tunnels carrying the route along the canyon floor. Water drips constantly from above, so a waterproof layer earns its place even on a warm day.
Through the gorge: tunnels, bridges and waterfalls
Inside the gorge the cliffs rise steeply on both sides, waterfalls cascade down beside the path and the river runs turquoise below. Water flow is highest in spring and early summer, which makes the falls most dramatic then, but also means more spray on the walkway.
Near the far end the path climbs through another dark tunnel with windows looking back down into the gorge, then exits through a second turnstile. A headtorch or phone torch helps in the tunnels, and anyone carrying a child in a rucksack should watch for low-hanging rock.
The hay meadow loop above the gorge
Exit the far turnstile, walk a short distance and turn left uphill at the signpost. This is the steepest part of the day as the path climbs through forest and out into open hay meadows.
The track passes Kaiserschmarrn Alm, a good refreshment stop after the climb, with wide views south to the high Alps. Continue past a hotel retreat and a few more huts, then follow the road as it descends steeply to the river and back along the outward route to the car park.
Huts and refreshments on the route
Several Alms along the meadow section serve food and drink, so you can carry less water and plan a proper stop. The huts also have toilets, which supplements the facilities at the car park and ticket area.
If you want a longer day with a big summit, the zugspitze hike from the same area adds Germany's highest peak to the itinerary on a separate outing.
When to go: seasons, water and crowds
Summer brings the strongest waterfalls and the biggest crowds, particularly at weekends, so use the opening hour or late afternoon to dodge the crush. Autumn and spring deliver similar walking with quieter walkways, while winter turns the gorge into a frozen landscape of ice formations.
Afternoon thunderstorms are a real feature of Bavarian summers, and the gorge offers little shelter from rising water, so start early and be out of the narrow section before storms build. Check the forecast the evening before and shift the day if a front is due.
What to wear and expect underfoot
Wear hiking shoes with good grip, because spray and mist keep the wooden walkways wet and slippery. The gorge stays damp and cold even in midsummer, so layers and a waterproof jacket make more sense than shorts and a t-shirt.
The route is not suitable for prams or pushchairs, and the dark tunnels reward a small torch. If the gorge is your introduction to the area, the Höllentalklamm Hike from Hammersbach offers a wilder, longer gorge day.
Plan Your Visit
Fix your date around the season first, then choose the out-and-back gorge walk if you have an hour or two and the full meadow loop if you want huts and alpine views. Arrive at the Olympia-Skistadion by bus or car, pay the parking and gorge fees separately, and carry cash for toilets and small purchases.
Add a second day for the surrounding peaks and check opening times and ticket prices on the Partnachklamm operator page before you travel, since these change by season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Partnachklamm gorge hike?
The full loop is 6.3 km (3.9 miles) with about 220 m (720 ft) of ascent and takes 2–3 hours. The gorge section alone is roughly 700 m (0.4 miles) long, so an out-and-back visit is much shorter than the loop.
Can you walk Partnachklamm without any uphill?
Yes. Walk through the gorge and turn around just before the far turnstile instead of exiting, which keeps the route flat and avoids the climb through the hay meadows.
Where do you park for the Partnachklamm hike?
Park at the Olympia-Skistadion car park on the edge of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. From there, walk through the ski stadium and along the river road for about 1.5 km (0.9 miles) to the gorge ticket office.
How do you reach Partnachklamm by public transport?
Take the train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, then bus 2 to the Olympic Ski Stadium car park or buses 9608 and 9618 to the Wildenauer Straße stop, a three-minute walk away. From Munich, trains and direct coaches run to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Is the Partnach Gorge open in winter?
The gorge stays open all year, with shorter hours from October to May. In mid-winter the waterfalls and walls freeze, which makes a very different but still rewarding visit.
Are dogs allowed in Partnach Gorge?
Dogs are allowed but must stay on a lead throughout the gorge. There is a separate dog ticket, and the narrow walkways mean keeping dogs close when the gorge is busy.
What is the best time of day to visit the Partnach Gorge?
Arrive at opening time or start after 4pm to avoid the worst crowds, especially on summer weekends. Spring and early summer bring the strongest waterfalls but also the most spray on the walkways.
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