Continuing our drive through the Garmisch Partenkirchen area in Bavaria, a visit to the Partnach Gorge (German: Partnachklamm)was definitely on the list. We really didn’t know what to expect as we hadn’t done any research on it. I imagined the setting to be more canyon like with high cliffs where you just leisurely strolled through. This was a little different. This gorge, which was carved by the Partnach River which flows through it, is about 700 metres (2,303 ft) long and, in places, over 80 metres (260 ft) deep and quite narrow. This stunning landmark was designated a natural monument in 1912 and has been a tourist attraction for over a hundred years. From the Hotel Alpspitz where we were staying in Grainau, we took the 20-minute drive to the Olympic ski jump stadium, (a site from the 1936 Winter Games) where there is plenty of parking. (Cost to park €2.00 for 2 hours and €5.00 for 24 hours) The entrance to the gorge is about 20- 30 minutes away, but it’s an easy walk along a well-marked and paved path through lush forest along the Partnach River. There are a few guest houses, restaurants and souvenir shops along the way. Horse and carriage rides are available to those who don’t fancy walking. Once you reach the entrance to the gorge, you can purchase tickets there. As of the latest information, the fees are approximately: Adults: €6.00, Children (6-16 years): €3.00, Groups: (15 or more people) reduced rates available

With tickets in hand, (actually on our phones) we set out to explore this natural wonder. We laced up our good nonslip hiking boots (we highly recommend them) but didn’t think about a waterproof jacket until we saw a few people putting them on. As we entered the gorge, we’re greeted by a cool, damp atmosphere and the mesmerizing sight of water cascading down the rock walls. As we negotiated the narrow winding pathways, being careful not to hit our heads on the low ceilings of the overhanging cliffs, we were rewarded with stunning views at every turn. There were, however, the occasional bottleneck as we met up with hikers coming from the opposite direction. Being up close with the raging river meant that we were getting wet with spray. There was also water seeping through the ceilings of the overhanging cliffs and the waterfalls to contend with, not enough to really soak you but the views were too spectacular to care.

Walking through the gorge surrounded by towering limestone walls and cascading waterfalls, you could really feel the power of the rushing water as the sound echoed between the walls. It reminds you of the power that nature possesses. With the morning light streaming through the gorge, it created a truly magical atmosphere. As the sunlight filtered through the narrow openings and reflected off the water and rock walls, it illuminated the gorge in a way that highlighted its natural beauty.

Some parts of the gorge are so narrow, you could almost reach out and touch the other side. When the light and the spray is just right, some beautiful rainbows are formed. That is contrasted by the series of tunnels along the way, not very long but very dark. Make sure your phones are fully charged, we used ours in flashlight mode to light the way.

At the end of the walk, we returned to the parking area where we stopped at one of the cafes for some drinks and snacks. If so inclined, you may opt to relax at a restaurant and savor some traditional Bavarian food and beer. You can also take a scenic Eckbauerbahn cable car ride up the surrounding mountains to access some hiking trails or take a guided tour of the nearby ski jump facility, learn about its history and the engineering behind the structure. If you’re up for even more adventure, continue your hike beyond the Gorge to explore the trails and enjoy panoramic views of the Bavarian Alps.

For the outdoor enthusiast, the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area is a great place to visit. Besides all the scenic hiking, there’s castles, cable cars, quaint towns, restaurants, cafes and lots of accommodations for every budget. The Partnach Gorge is open year-round, but the hours vary depending on the season: June to September: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and October to May: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. For the best experience, it’s recommended that you visit before 10:30 am or after 4:00 pm during the high season. The Partnach Gorge hike should take around one and a half hours round trip and will be around 5.5 km / 3.4 miles of walking.