A dramatic gorge walk in Garmisch-Partenkirchen through a narrow limestone canyon carved by the Partnach river, with footpaths blasted into the cliff face and wooden walkways overhanging the torrent below. The gorge is magnificent in all seasons — in winter the walls are coated in ice formations. The 700m gorge walk can be extended into a half-day circular hike to the Ferchensee mountain lake.
The Partnachklamm gorge walk begins near the Olympic Ski Stadium in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, about a 20-minute walk from the town's train station, with paid parking available near the stadium entrance and a €6 adult admission charged at the gorge gate. The core gorge section is a short but dramatic 2.5 km walk on paths and wooden walkways cut directly into the limestone cliff face above the churning Partnach river, with an elevation gain of only about 100 m and an easy-to-moderate technical rating (T1-T2), making it accessible to most visitors. The walkways are narrow in places and can be wet from river spray year-round, and in winter (November to March) the rock walls and walkway edges are often coated in ice, requiring crampons or micro-spikes for safe footing. Beyond the gorge itself, the route can be extended into a roughly 10 km, three-and-a-half hour circular hike continuing through forest to the Ferchensee, a quiet mountain lake, before looping back to Garmisch. There is no natural water source safe for drinking within the gorge, and no huts or shelters along the short gorge section, though the extended circular route passes through areas with seasonal refreshment kiosks near Ferchensee. Visitors who only want the gorge experience can turn around at the upper gorge exit and return the way they came, keeping the outing to about an hour.
| Difficulty | Easy–Moderate (T1–T2) |
|---|---|
| Best season | Year-round (spectacular in winter; can be icy) |
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Highlights
- Sheer rock walls
- Torrent spray
- Ice formations (winter)
- Optional extension to Ferchensee
Tips for visiting
- Wear waterproof jacket — the gorge spray soaks you on the narrow passages
- Winter visits (November–March) when ice columns form are magical but require crampons or micro-spikes
When to visit
The gorge is open year-round and is popular with day-trippers in summer; winter visits offer dramatic ice formations but require caution and appropriate footwear on icy walkways.
Accessibility
The main gorge walkways are narrow, uneven in places, and not wheelchair accessible; a stroller could manage the approach path from the Olympic Ski Stadium but not the gorge walkways themselves.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Partnachklamm gorge walk suitable for young children?
The short 2.5 km gorge section is manageable for most children on foot, though the walkways are narrow and can be slippery from spray, so close supervision is needed.
Is there an entrance fee for the gorge?
Yes, admission is €6 for adults and €3 for children, payable at the gorge entrance near the Olympic Ski Stadium.
Can the gorge be visited in winter?
Yes, and it is especially scenic when ice formations coat the cliff walls, but crampons or micro-spikes are recommended for the icy walkways between November and March.
How long does the gorge-only walk take?
The gorge section alone takes about an hour round trip; the extended circular route to Ferchensee takes roughly three and a half hours.