17.05.2022

PARTNACH GORGE

The Partnach Gorge was declared a natural monument in 1912. It is one of the most beautiful ravines located in Bavaria. This amazing place is open for tourists all year round, where in winter the scenery is even more magical. Being there, a person can feel the power of nature which is in it in the form of noise of flowing water.

The Partnach Gorge, Germany, Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Author Jonas Tebbe, source Unsplash.

CREATION OF THE GORGE

During the Triassic period, about 240 million years ago, when part of today’s Alps was a sea bed, shelly limestone was settled here. By the “overlapping” of mudstone and limestone was formed the so-called saddle (anticline). The gorge was formed during the last ice age about 10,000 – 12,000 years ago. From now on, the Partnach River has managed to cut into the hard limestone bedrock, creating the remarkable Partnachklamm Gorge. The river begins at Reintalanger and is one of the largest karst springs in the Bavarian Alps. It is mainly power by meltwater from the Schneeferner, a remnant of an Ice Age glacier on the Zugspitzplatt.

WHAT WAS THE RIVER PARTNACH ORIGINALLY USED FOR?

Centuries ago, people used the torrential stream to transport tree trunks felled in the mountain forests. At the top the tree was felled and cut into meter long pieces. In spring, when the water was higher, they were thrown wood into the Partnach so them could be let down into the valley. In 1886 was built here, a makeshift path. This made it easier for highlanders and lumberjacks to access felled trees when it accidentally got stuck. Such river transport was maintained until the mid-1960s. Later, however, “drifting” – transporting wood on water – was discontinued. The reasons were that it was too dangerous and not profitable.

The Partnach Gorge, Germany, Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Author Manuel Keller, source Unsplash.

APPROACH

If you decide to come to the Partnach Gorge by car, it is best to park in front of the Olympic Ski Stadium (large parking lot and local bus stop), because entrance to the gorge it is impossible. The parking area can be reached via the B2 road.

(Satellite navigation: Karl-und-Martin-Neuner-Platz, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen).

The Partnachklamm can be reached on foot in about 25 minutes or can be reach by barouche, which leaves directly from the parking lot.

From the station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you can reach your destination using the local bus lines 1 and 2.

Here you can find an exemplary route from Munich to the Partnach Gorge (train, bus and car).

Area of Partnach Gorge, source Google Maps

 

PARTNACHKLAMM GORGE IN NUMBERS

The Partnach Gorge, Germany, Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Author Bob Wassermann, source Unsplash.

HOW TO WEAR

It is worth taking rainwear with you because in many places you can be “splashed” by water flowing from the waterfalls. You should wear shoes with a good sole to avoid slipping. Taking an umbrella is not advisable as the trail often leads through tunnels. In winter, you should dress warmly because the temperature there falls well below zero.

The Partnach Gorge, Germany, Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Author Raphael Renter, source Unsplash.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Opening hours:

June – September: 08:00 – 20:00.

October – May: 08:00 – 18:00.

* Last entrance to the gorge is 30 minutes before closing time.

Before visiting in winter, please make sure that the gorge is open (e.g. due to icing, it may be temporarily closed).

 

Prices (2022):

Adult: 6,00 EUR

Adult with guest card: EUR 5,00 EUR

Children from 6 to 17 years: EUR 3,00 EUR

People with disabilities: 4,00 EUR

Dog: 1,00 EUR (leash compulsory)

 

Current prices and opening hours can be found here on the official website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

  • Dogs must be kept on a leash.
  • For safety reasons, kayaks, bicycles and baby carriages are not permitted in the gorge.
  • Wheelchair access is unfortunately not possible.
  • Shoes with a good sole and rainwear are necessary for the hike through the gorge.
Area of Partnach Gorge, source Mapy.cz

 

WHERE ELSE CAN YOU GO?

When visiting the Partnach Gorge, you can also climb the Ecbauer. It is a small mountain with a height of 1237 meters above sea level with views to the Zugspitze, Alpspitze, Wetterstein and Karwendel. The hike takes around 1 hour (one way). From there it is not far to the ski lift which takes you down to the parking lot next to the Olympic Ski Stadium.

The path to the Ecbauer peak, source Gaia GPS

TIDBITS

  • About 200,000 people visit the Gorge each year, what making, that this place is quite popular.
  • On June 1, 1991, about 5,000 cubic meters of rock broke away from the western rock wall at the southern end of the gorge and formed a 15-meter-high wall.
  • In March 2003, another landslide of rock of about 500 cubic meters occurred in the northern part of the gorge.
The Partnach Gorge, Germany, Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Author Manuel Keller, source Unsplash.

SUMMARY

When you are near the ski jumps in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the Partnachklamm Gorge is worth a visit. The gorge is located less than 30 minutes from the ski jumps and can be reached on foot or can be reach by barouche. It’s a great idea for a trip for the whole family in order that to see closely the power of rushing water. Visiting this place, you can break away for a moment from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Alex Holzreiter, source Unsplash.

Patrick Baum, source Unsplash.

Mike Bowman, source Unsplash.

Daniel Sessler, source Unsplash.

Sara Kurig, source Unsplash.

Daniel Stuben, source Unsplash.

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