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Latest Garmisch-Partenkirchen hotel reviews
We were staying in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the weekend and headed over to Mittenwald for some hiking (and dining since for us they seem to go hand-in-hand). It was mid-November and it seemed that many of the restaurants were closed for vacation – I guess in between seasons. But we were not disappointed in our stay at all.
Mittenwald is on the Germany-Austria border and, as you can imagine, had some of the most breathtaking views imaginable. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to remind myself that I am actually here and not looking at photographs in travel magazines!
We found parking easily enough in the center of town on Bahnhofstraße (there were several parking areas). Then we proceeded to do a walking tour of the town. What a neat little town – so full of Bavarian style houses with painted exteriors. I could only imagine what they look like in the height of the warm seasons when their flower boxes would be full and overflowing with colorful blooms!
We stopped in at the Pfarrkirche – the exterior was beautifully painted and we were in for a treat once inside. There were signs requesting no photos to be taken, otherwise I would’ve had a great time documenting this Baroque interior. The ceiling mural was amazing and there were paintings all around the church.
In the front of the church is the statue to Matthias Klotz, the violin maker that put Mittenwald on the map for its violins that are now famous world-wide. There is a museum for violin making (but it was closed); however, we were able to look inside the windows of a couple shops that crafted these musical instruments.
We walked south of town looking for the Leutaschklamm (gorge). Walking along a canal that had lots of ducks playing in the water, we continued down the road passed sheep fields until we came to the trail. We actually found the trail before we got to the start of it (we saw the signs going up the hill) – so we jumped on at that point. What we didn’t realize until later was that we actually started at the end of the trail (no wonder the signs seemed to be going backwards in their information!). The gorge was well worth the trip – and we later learned that part-way along we crossed over into Austria. There is a waterfall, but it was closed for the season, as well as the Karwendelbahn up to the top of the mountain (sounds like another trip to plan!).
After our hike, we stopped back in Mittenwald for some lunch. Since most places were closed, we found Café Paula, a konditorei that had outside seating (did I mention that weather was beautiful that day?). While they were out of the soup I was hoping for, I found an equally delicious substitute and my fellow travelers all had yummy dishes as well. Since the local brewery was closed, we crossed the street to the local grocery store and picked up some food and beverages for later before heading back to Garmisch.
This was a wonderful day in a little village that we may have overlooked if it weren’t for a guidebook that we used regularly. We will be returning in the spring/summer in order to see the things that we closed this visit.
Visit my Mittenwald page.
Written Feb 6, 2012
Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/1541a3/939d/
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Another village that can be visited from GP very easily using the bus. Oberammergau is world renowned for its Passionplay that takes place every 10 years. We were very lucky to have been able to attend it in 2010 when it was performed for the 100th time. I loved the "luftlmalerel" which is the local way of decorating house facades and which decorates many a home in this little village. The two that I found most interesting was the "Hansel & Gretel" house and the one of "Little red riding hood".
Written Oct 27, 2010
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It was another dream of mine to see this lovely castle on which Walt Disney based his fairy castle. So it was with great enthusiasm that we boarded the bus early morning for our day outing to Schwangau and its two castles. Hohenschwangau Castle is a 19th century palace in southern Germany. It was the childhood residence of King Ludwig II of Bavaria and was built by his father, King Maximilian II of Bavaria
Written Oct 27, 2010
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It was another dream of mine to see this lovely castle on which Walt Disney based his fairy castle. So it was with great enthusiasm that we boarded the bus early morning for our day outing to Schwangau and its two castles. Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Schwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as an homage to Richard Wagner.
The palace was intended as a personal refuge for the reclusive king, but it was opened to the paying public immediately after his death in 1886
Written Oct 27, 2010
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Easily reached by bus from Garmisch-Partenkirche for a day outing is the Linderhof Palace . It is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one of which he lived to see completion.Ludwig already knew the area around Linderhof from his youth when he had accompanied his father King Maximilian II of Bavaria on his hunting trips in the Bavarian Alps. When Ludwig II became king in 1864 he inherited the so-called Königshäuschen from his father, and in 1869 began enlarging the building. In 1874 he decided to tear down the Königshäuschen and rebuild it on its present-day location in the park
Written Oct 27, 2010
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Rise on the mountain begins from the picturesque Eibsee with clean green water. It is in a coniferous wood at height of 972 m. The area of this lake is about 2 square km, and the maximal depth is 32 m. There are several wood islands. You may float by boats in summer and skate in the winter.
Updated Aug 14, 2006
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Bet you don't know what you have missed if you haven't visited the unique Igloo Village!!!
The Igloo Hotel is made out of 3 Romantic Igloos, 4 Group Igloos and an Igloo Bar! Spend a night in one of the igloos and experience an unforgettable night as an Eskimo.
Written Jan 5, 2006
Website: www.iglu-dorf.com
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When I was a kid, we used to have this VW bus that my dad camperised, and we used to drive all over Western Canada in it and go camping.
Then when I was a little older, I read Travels with Charlie by John Steinbeck, and a little later, The Drifters by James Michener.
It has always been kind of a dream of mine to pack all my stuff - bike, skis, kayak, hiking boots, etc. - in a VW bus and spend at least 6-months discovering Europe without any fixed agenda. Just travelling around to places, hanging out, being able to sleep in the van, and then get up in the morning and go hiking or biking or whatever.
I might go to Toulouse and learn some French while exploring the Pyrennes or I might just kick around the Alps for a while. Unfortunately, it is getting the six months off. This could come between jobs and/or on my way back to Canada someday.
My other problem is finding someone who wants to come with me. Adventures are more fun when you have someone to share them with. But, in a VW van, it has to be someone that doesn't complain or get on your nerves too much.
Updated Dec 30, 2004
If you are looking for a challenge, or just a little exercise, climb to the top of the Kramerspitze. It took us about 5 hrs to get to the top. There's a restaurant a little more than halfway up that serves excellent German 'pancakes'. Gorgeous views from the top-definitely must be in shape to do this!!
Written Oct 26, 2004
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WE did get one excellent hike in Garmisch to the Stepberg Alm, which was a steep ascent at a very quick hour and forty-five minute pace, straight-up. This only confirmed to me that I was not in great shape when it comes to hiking. It was my first real hike this summer, and I really noticed it in my legs, despite the swimming. As a matter of fact, I swam a lot before I left, and I sure felt the tiredness in my legs on the steep ascent. The good news was that my injured knee gave me no problem on the way down, despite having forgotten my tensor bandage, which I normally wear. However, I used poles on the less steep descent and was careful just in case.
You do not have to do it with this intensity, but you should be in good overall cardiovascular condition, and the path can be steep, windy, and if wet, slippery.
The Stepberg Alm is one of my favorite hikes around Garmisch. It is normally about a 4-hour tour for us, five for most, but we did it in around 3-hours last week. Not bad. Actually we cut an hour off the bottom bit by driving up to the drop-off parking zone. Cheaters, I know, but we know the bottom section so well, and it is flat and boring. The Stepberg Alm itself has been renovated this year. It is bigger, there is a larger inside area, and they have installed indoor plumbing. There used to be only outhouses. Other than that, thankfully, they did not ruin the charm of the hut. I am posting pictures of the Stepberg Alm on my Garmisch pages this afternoon. So you can check them out. I did not take too many pictures, but will post what I have.
Updated Sep 1, 2004
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WE did get one excellent hike in Garmisch to the Stepberg Alm, which was a steep ascent at a very quick hour and forty-five minute pace, straight-up. This only...
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Q: Hi to all, I will be in Garmisch im late may. My questions are how far is ski jumping hill from centar, or from hotel bavaria...
A: from your hotel: 2,3 km's (Google maps)
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