Travel Guide to Partnach Gorge in Germany: Hiking the Partnachklamm
What to expect from visiting the stunning Partnach Gorge in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, BavariaThe power of water
Visiting the Partnach Gorge is one of the most popular activities in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
It’s a gorge (duh) that has been created by a stream cutting through the mountain. It’s crazy to think that water can cut through solid rock like that. It takes a while, but the result speaks for itself!
The gorge is 702 metres long and up to 80 metres deep.
We visited the gorge in October 2020 and were amazed by the continually changing views. Oh, and that clear, azure blue colour of the water is insanely beautiful.
Where to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Budget: Hotel Atlas Sport.
- Value for money: Hotel Zugspitze or Biohotel Garmischer Hof.
- Luxury: Hyperion Hotel.
Search for the best value accommodation in Garmisch-Partenkirchen here.
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What to expect at the Partnach Gorge
Being just about 700 metres long, hiking the Partnach Gorge is a relatively easy and quick affair.
If you just rush through it, you could probably walk it in 5-10 minutes. But taking the time to stop on the way to take in the views is definitely worth it.
In some parts, the path is really narrow.
And you’ll want to walk carefully in the short but dark tunnels on the way.
Dogs are allowed on a leash. Wheelchairs, baby carriages and bicycles are not permitted.






Price of visiting the Partnach Gorge
The price for visiting the Partnach Gorge is 7.5 EUR (~ 8 USD)* per adult and 3 EUR (~ 3.5 USD)* per child (6-17 years of age).
You can also bring your dog for an extra 2 EUR.
*These prices are from March 2023.

Partnach Gorge opening hours
The Partnach Gorge is open from 08:00-18:00 from October to May and from 08:00-20:00 from June to September.
Closures can occur at any time on short notice for safety reasons.


Corona restrictions
When we visited the Partnach Gorge in October 2020, there were two main Covid-19 related restrictions:
- One-way hiking. It was only allowed to hike through the gorge in the southward direction from the main entrance. Returning to the start in a loop meant hiking upwards and around after exiting the gorge with the added bonus of views of the gorge from above.
- Mask wearing at all times. Wearing mouth and nose protection was mandatory in the Partnach Gorge.
Make sure to check the recent rules before entering the gorge.

Map
How to get to the Partnach Gorge
As you can’t drive directly to the gorge, the whole ordeal actually encompasses walking from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Olympic Ski Jump to the gorge, walking through it and then (per the Corona restrictions) hike another way around it to the start and then back to the Olympic Ski Jump.
It’s about a 25 minutes walk from the Olympic Ski Jump to the Partnach Gorge entrance. This path is very wide and walking-friendly.

Parking near the Partnach Gorge
We parked our car at the car park next to the Olympic Ski Jump. It’s a big car park so you can’t miss it.

What to bring to the Partnach Gorge
- Travel insurance (adlink). Never travel without it!
- A good camera – here’s a guide to the gear we use.
- Hiking shoes. It can be a little slippery in places so wearing sturdy shoes is highly recommended.
- Warm clothes if you’re not visiting in summer.
- Water and snacks is always a good idea.

Minimise your impact
To minimise your impact during your visit at Partnach Gorge, follow these guidelines:
- Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
- Avoid single-use plastics, including straws.
- Dispose of waste properly.
- Take only photos, leave only footprints. Let everything stay in its natural place.
- Be considerate of other visitors.
- Respect wildlife.

Thanks for reading
Thanks for reading our travel guide to the Partnach Gorge in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. We hope it has been useful!
What do you think about the Partnach Gorge?
If you’ve been to the Partnach Gorge, it would be fantastic to hear your best tips for visiting in the comments.
If you haven’t been there yet, please don’t hesitate to ask us what’s on your mind. We’re happy to help you with your planning.

Our favourite travel resources:
- Booking.com for cheap hotels.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like World Nomads and True Traveller. All three compared here.
Our camera gear:
- Panasonic GH5. Used for all of our photos and videos.
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro. Best drone out there!
- Sirui Tripod. Lightweight and strong.
- See all of our camera gear here.