Partnachklamm Gorge
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Partnach Gorge, Garmisch-Partenkirchen:
Experience natural wonders up close
The Partnach Gorge in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a real highlight for anyone who loves nature and enjoys being active outdoors. On the Partnach Gorge walk, you’ll experience the full force of the water that has carved its way deep into the rock over thousands of years. Here you’ll find everything you need to know for your trip – from opening times and tickets to tips for visiting with your dog.
Partnach Gorge
round trip
The classic circular walk starting from the ski stadium is around 6 kilometres long and takes about 2 hours. It is an easy walk and well suited to families. You’ll still need sturdy footwear, though, as it’s wet in the gorge.
- Start and finish: Olympia Ski Stadium car park
- Length: approx. 5.5 to 6.5 km
- Elevation gain: approx. 160 to 260 metres
- Walking time: approx . 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, excluding breaks
- Difficulty: easy
- Refreshments: Kaiserschmarrn-Alm and Gasthof Hanneslabauer in Vordergraseck
This is the route of the circular walk
To the gorge entrance: From the ski stadium, walk along the tarmac path alongside the Partnach river, heading upstream. After about 25 minutes, you’ll reach the ticket office.
Through the gorge: Now it gets narrow, noisy and wet. At an altitude of 699 metres, the path leads through rock galleries and tunnels, with the water roaring right beneath you. Take your time – you don’t want to rush through this.
Up to Graseck: At the end of the gorge, carry on straight ahead until a path branches off to the left towards Eckbauer/Graseck. The climb is short but steep. At the top in Vordergraseck, Kaiserschmarrn and mountain views await.
Across the Iron Bridge: From Vordergraseck, it’s about 10 minutes to the Iron Bridge. It hangs 68 metres above the gorge. The view down isn’t for the faint-hearted.
Back down to the valley: Follow the path along the edge of the gorge to return to the gorge entrance in about 20 minutes. From there, take the familiar path to the ski stadium.
Don’t fancy the climb? Then simply walk back through the gorge. Your ticket is valid for a single journey there and back. Or you can take the small cable car operated by Hotel Das Graseck, whose valley station is just before the gorge.
Discover the Partnach Gorge:
Activities & Tours
Torchlight walk through the Partnach Gorge
The gorge is actually closed in the evenings. However, you can still get in on a guided torchlight walk. The light flickers across the ice, the water rushes in the darkness, and you’ll be almost entirely on your own. By the way, setting off on your own with torches is forbidden. You can only go with one of the authorised tour operators.
You should bring sturdy footwear, warm clothes and a torch for the walk back to the car park. The walk from the ski stadium to the meeting point takes about 30 minutes and is unlit in places. The torchlight walks are only available in winter and you can book them directly with the operator:
GaPa Tourism: Guided tour from the ticket office, usually at 6 pm. In winter 2026, on several evenings a week.
Klammhaus an der Partnach: Torchlight or headlamp walk, approx. 1 hour. For individual guests, only in combination with raclette, fondue or hut barbecue. Season: 1 November 2026 to 30 March 2027.
Das Graseck: Torchlight hike past the hotel by the gorge.
Garmisch Alpine School: Guided torchlight hike.
Out and about with the family or with the dog
With children: Children love the gorge. Tunnels, waterfalls, spray on their faces: there’s something to see every few metres. The path through the gorge is hardly steep at all, making it easily manageable even for little legs. However, the paths are narrow and often wet. Hold younger children by the hand – this is also a requirement set by the gorge management. Children under 6 go in for free.
Prams? Unfortunately not. Prams, buggies, scooters and trolleys are not permitted in the gorge. This also applies to foldable models. A baby carrier or rucksack carrier is the better choice. But do watch out for low tunnel ceilings and rocky outcrops – your child will be sitting a bit higher up than you.
With a dog: Your dog is allowed in, on a lead. The dog ticket costs 5 euros. The rock is slippery and it’s noisy, which some dogs may find unfamiliar. You must, of course, clear up after your dog. In individual cases, the gorge staff may refuse entry to dogs.
With a wheelchair or walking frame: Unfortunately, this isn’t possibledue to the narrow tunnels and paths. Wheelchairs and walking frames are not permitted in the gorge.
Weather &
best time to visit
It’s always cooler and more humid in the Partnach Gorge than outside. Water drips from the walls, spray flies everywhere, and you rarely see direct sunlight down here. So even in the height of summer, make sure to pack a jumper and a rain jacket.
When is it least busy? First thing in the morning at 8 am or in the late afternoon. The operators themselves recommend that groups arrive before 10.30 am or after 3.30 pm. Weekends and school holidays are the busiest times. The car park at the ski stadium fills up quickly then too.
Summer or winter? Both are well worth a visit. In summer, the gorge offers a refreshing escape on hot days and you can extend your walk via Graseck or the Partnachalm. In winter, you’ll find icicles and torchlit walks, though the ground is slippery and it gets dark earlier.
And what about when it rains? The gorge is wet anyway, so a bit of rain hardly makes any difference. However, if conditions become dangerous – for example, due to severe weather or the risk of rockfalls – it may be closed at short notice. Before you set off, check partnachklamm.de to see if the gorge is open.
Current weather forecast
FAQs & tips for your visit
to in the Partnach Gorge
Here you’ll find frequently asked questions and answers about the Partnach Gorge in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
How long does the Partnachklamm gorge hike take?
The easy circular route from the Olympic ski stadium is approx. 6 km long and takes an average of 2 hours, depending on your fitness level.
How big is the Partnach Gorge?
- Length: 699 m
- Length of the tunnel: 247 m
- Height difference of the gorge: 80 m
- Highest rock face: 86 m
Where can I park for the Partnachklamm gorge?
The nearest car park at the Olympia ski stadium is approx. 25 minutes' walk from the entrance to the Partnach Gorge . Direct access by car is not possible.
There are several paid car parks in Garmisch-Partenkirchen:
- Olympic ski stadium, distance: 2.2 km
- Badgasse multi-storey car park, distance: 3.7 km
- Rathausplatz car park, distance: 4.4 km
- Zugspitzbahnhof car park, distance: 5.2 km
- Congress centre car park, distance: 5.2 km
How much does admission to the Partnachklamm gorge in Garmisch Partenkirchen cost?
Adults: 10,00 €
Holidaymakers with guest card*: 9,00 €
Locals**: 8,50 €
Children 6-17 years: € 5.00
Dogs (must be kept on a lead): € 5.00
Persons with disabilities***: 5,00 €
(Source: partnachklamm.de, subject to change)
Is it possible to see the Partnach Gorge without paying an entrance fee?
You can see it from above. To the left of the ticket office, a path leads to the Iron Bridge in about 20 minutes. From there, you can look down 68 metres into the gorge. You’ll need a ticket to walk through the gorge itself.
What are the opening hours of the Partnach Gorge?
- High season (June - September): 8:00 - 20:00
- Low season (October - May): 8:00 - 18:00
- Please note that it is not possible to enter outside opening hours
- Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time
(Source: partnachklamm.de, subject to change)
Are dogs allowed in the Partnach Gorge?
You are welcome to bring your dog with you. Please note that you must keep your dog on a lead and purchase a dog ticket for €5.
(Source: partnachklamm.de, subject to change)
Is it possible to visit the Partnach Gorge with a pushchair?
Unfortunately, access with pushchairs, buggies or similar is not possible.
Is it possible to visit the Partnach Gorge with a wheelchair or walking frame?
Due to the narrow tunnels and paths, it is unfortunately not possible to visit the gorge with a wheelchair or walking frame.
What clothes should you wear on a trip to the Partnach Gorge?
Wear sturdy shoes and weatherproof clothing, as it is cool and damp in the gorge even on warm days.
Holidaymakers with valid guest cards: Alpenwelt Karwendel, Zugspitzdorf Grainau, Eschenlohe, Oberau, Farchant or the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena
aja Garmisch-Partenkirchen:
Your hotel near the Partnach Gorge
Exhausted from the gorge hike, wet feet, clear head? Then head to the aja Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The hotel is right next to the station. The local bus to the ski stadium leaves from the station, and in about 10 minutes you’ll be at the start of the Partnachklamm. And in the evening, the heated outdoor pool with panoramic views awaits you.
Perfect starting point for activities
Room with mountain view & modern design
Heated outdoor pool with panoramic views
Fitness area & aja SPA with NIVEA Haus Shop
E-mountain bike hire
Bar & terrace with a view of the Alps
GreenSign certified (Level 4)
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