The power of water
Visiting the Partnach Gorge (Partnachklamm) is one of the most popular activities in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in the Bavarian Alps in southern Germany.
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: Atlas Sporthotel – One of the cheapest options for ensuite double rooms in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Free parking.
- Value for money: Biohotel Garmischer Hof – Amazing views, organic food and a spa and wellness centre. Our favourite hotel in GaPa.
- Luxury: Bader Suites – Luxurious, spacious apartments with everything you need. We loved staying here.
- Family: Leiners Boutiquehotel für Familien – All-inclusive children’s hotel with an indoor pool, playrooms and childcare. Where we stayed with our kids.
Search for the best value accommodation in Garmisch-Partenkirchen here.
Table of contents
Everything you need to know including the best experiences, when to visit, where to eat and where to stay
What to expect at the Partnach Gorge
At just about 700 metres, hiking the Partnach Gorge (Partnachklamm in German) 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 along the way and 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 along the way.
Dogs are allowed on a leash. Wheelchairs, prams, strollers and bicycles are not permitted.
The tourist board runs a guided visit called Partnachklamm für Alle (Partnach Gorge for everyone).
It’s aimed at people with a physical, cognitive or mobility impairment and at older visitors who aren’t steady on their feet, use a walking aid or need someone alongside them.
It happens at 18:00 on the first Thursday of the month, May to October, skipping public holidays. You book through the tourist board’s online shop or in person at the Tourist Info, with one companion allowed per participant on a ticket of their own.
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Read morePrice of visiting the Partnach Gorge
The price for visiting the Partnach Gorge is 10 EUR (~ 11 USD)* per adult and 5 EUR (~ 5.5 USD)* per child (6-17 years).
You can also bring your dog for an extra 5 EUR.
*These prices are from October 2026.
You can pay on the spot or sort it out beforehand. There’s a ticket office close to the entrance, ticket machines at both the north entrance and the south entrance on the Reintal side, and an online shop on the gorge’s website.
An online ticket is a QR code that gets scanned at the turnstile. Card payment is accepted.
There’s no wifi and no phone reception down in the gorge, so have the ticket loaded on your phone before you arrive.
Partnach Gorge opening hours
The Partnach Gorge is open 8:00-18:00 from October to May and 8:00-20:00 from June to September.
Closures can occur at any time at short notice for safety reasons.
Map
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Read moreHow to get to the Partnach Gorge
As you can’t drive directly to Partnachklamm, the whole ordeal actually involves walking from the Olympic Ski Jump in Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the gorge, walking through it and then either walking back the same way or hiking another way around it to the start and then back to the Olympic Ski Jump.
It’s about a 25-minute walk from the Olympic Ski Jump to the Partnach Gorge entrance. This path is very wide and walking-friendly.
How to get to the Partnach Gorge by train and bus
Trains run direct from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the ride takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Right in front of the station building, catch local bus line 1 or 2 towards “Skistadion”, the Olympic ski stadium where the Olympic Ski Jump is. It’s about 10 minutes on the bus.
From the stadium you’re on the same route as anyone arriving by car, so count on about 25 minutes on foot to the entrance.
If you’re staying the night in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the guest card you get from your accommodation makes the local buses free.
Parking near the Partnach Gorge
We parked at the paid 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 we highly recommend wearing sturdy shoes.
- Warm clothes if you’re not visiting in summer.
- Water and snacks are always a good idea.
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Read more
Where to go next
Germany’s highest mountain, Zugspitze, is close to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and we’ve put together a full guide to it.
Lake Eibsee lies at the foot of Zugspitze, and in our guide to it we call it Germany’s most beautiful lake.
We’ve also been on a guided canyoning tour out of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and wrote about what makes it worth your while.
If you have more days in the area, our Garmisch-Partenkirchen travel guide runs through 26 things we think are worth doing in and around the town.
For a bed, our guide to where to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen narrows it down to 13 hotels across every budget.
Our vegan eating guide rounds up the best restaurants and cafés in town.
Minimise your impact
To minimise your impact during your visit to the 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.
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FAQ about visiting the Partnach Gorge
Is the Partnach Gorge worth visiting?
Yes, we’d say so. Few places in Garmisch-Partenkirchen draw as many visitors, and having walked it ourselves we understand why.
A stream has carved a passage 702 metres long and up to 80 metres deep through solid rock, and the scenery shifts the whole way. Narrow sections give way to short tunnels and waterfalls, and at the southern end you step out to face the mountains.
The water is an azure blue you can see straight through. We were taken aback by the whole thing, and the views deserve more than a glance in passing.
How long does it take to walk through the Partnach Gorge?
Rushed, the gorge itself takes 5-10 minutes. It’s only about 700 metres long, but you’ll want longer than that, because the views deserve a few pauses.
Add the approach from the Olympic Ski Jump, which is about 25 minutes each way on a wide path.
For the return you can either come back through the gorge or take the path around it, which climbs a bit more and lets you look down into the gorge from above.
Is the Partnach Gorge open in winter?
Yes, it’s open all year round. October to May the hours are 8:00-18:00, and in the summer months, June to September, they’re 8:00-20:00.
Nobody is let in during the last 30 minutes before closing.
It can also shut at short notice if conditions make it unsafe.
Can you bring a dog or a stroller to the Partnach Gorge?
A dog yes, a stroller no. Dogs come along on a leash and cost 5 EUR.
Prams and strollers aren’t let in, and neither are wheelchairs or bicycles.
The path narrows in places and passes through short, dark tunnels, which gives you an idea why.
Is the Partnach Gorge hike difficult?
No, it’s a rather easy walk. The gorge is short and over quickly, though it narrows in places and the dark tunnels call for a careful step.
The ground can be wet and slippery, so sturdy shoes are a good idea.
If you come back on the path around the gorge, there’s more climbing, but nothing that should put you off.
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 hotels and apartments.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- AirHelp for flight delay compensation.
- GetYourGuide for great tours everywhere.
- Airalo for reliable eSIM.
- Discover Cars for transparent car hire.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like True Traveller. Compared here.
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Hej, Jeg har læst jeres fantastiske artikler om Garmisch-Partenkirchen og vi skal derned med 2 overnatninger – vi har stort set kun 1-1,5 dag. Vi er dernede fra den 17. juni. Vi vil gerne vandre og tænker Partnachklam og så en kabelbane op til en af toppene. Vandringen omkring søen så også fin ud.
Skal vi bestille billetter hjemmefra til bane og Partnachklam. Vi skal bo på Biohotellet.
Rare hilsener Tina
Hej Tina og tusind tak for din fine kommentar! Hvor er det dejligt, at du kan bruge vores guides. Da vi besøgte Partnachklamm, købte vi vist billetten ved indgangen, men hvis I allerede er sikre på at tage derhen, kan I spare tid ved at have købt den online på forhånd (læs mere her). Husk at downloade den på forhånd, da der er dårlig forbindelse henne ved kløften. Der er sikkert en del mennesker i GaPa i juni, så vi kan anbefale at komme tidligt på dagen eller senere på eftermiddagen – bare husk at det er lidt køligere og måske en smule vådt på ruten.
Vi købte vist også billetter til kabelbanerne på dagen, men hvis I vil være garanteret at komme derop, er det nok en god idé at booke på forhånd – ellers skal I satse på at komme tidligt om morgenen, så der ikke er lang kø.
Det lyder skønt, at I skal bo på Biohotellet! Nyd GaPa!
Been there many times during my military tours in Germany. I wish they would have shown some winter pictures, it’s. real pretty then.
That sounds so cool! We visited in October but we can imagine it looks beautiful with icicles and all frozen. However, we’ve heard some sections might close during the winter.