Embark on a captivating walking tour that commences in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, leading you through a picturesque landscape of cascading waterfalls, babbling brooks, and serene lakes before venturing into rural Bavaria.
A cable car journey elevates you to greater heights, granting access to Germany's tallest peak, the Zugspitze. Below, the tranquil town of Garmisch awaits, surrounded by cozy alpine huts and rustic benches.
Prepare for an idyllic hiking experience during our journey from Munich to the Olympic town of Garmisch. The initial part of the trip treats you to a variety of water elements: the serene Isar River, enchanting waterfalls, babbling streams, and the awe-inspiring Bavarian lake landscape. Leading the way is the famous Lake Starnberger See, followed by Lake Kochelsee, nestled amidst majestic mountains, offering a truly remarkable hiking experience along its shores.
Lake Kochelsee serves as your gateway to the magnificent mountain region surrounding Garmisch. Here, you'll discover everything that defines an exceptional hiking destination: awe-inspiring mountain vistas, high-altitude hiking adventures with leisurely cable car rides, and hearty alpine huts serving authentic Bavarian specialities.
Details about the walking holiday from Munich to Garmisch
Day three of this hiking tour takes you from Munich and Schäftlarn to Bernried. Through the impressive Maisinger Gorge, to the Moorsee to Possenhofen Castle, where Empress Sisi once spent her childhood.
After a morning visit to the Benedictine monastery in Bernried, we continue to Lake Starnberg. The lake district of the Osterseen with a stunning view of the Zugspitze. On day five, it's time to take a break. Or you can explore Kochel am See and immerse yourself in the culture and art collections of the region.
In the last few days, two more mountain stages await hard-working hikers. To Wallgau and finally to the Zugspitze, until you arrive in Garmisch at the end of your journey.
The highlights of the Munich to Garmisch walking tour:
Maisinger See: Through the impressive Maisinger gorge you reach the idyllic moor lake, which provides the perfect photo motif amid a dreamlike landscape.
The southern end of Lake Starnberg: From there the uniquely beautiful lake district of the Osterseen begins. Whether hiking or swimming - you are spoiled for choice!
The Zugspitze: 2,968 meters high is the highest peak in the Wetterstein Mountains and at the same time Germany's highest mountain.
Worth knowing about the hiking tour from Munich to Garmisch
The first hiking stage through the foothills of the Alps begins leisurely with only a few hills. To recharge your batteries, there is the option on day five to take a rest day or to circle the Kochelsee.
On average, 12 kilometres are covered daily, with minimal ascents of 200 meters. The daily walking time is a maximum of five hours.
Route summary
The first part of your hiking week leads you leisurely on slightly hilly terrain through the Alpine foothills. In between a day of rest lures with an option to walk around the lake before you are headed for the mountains towards Garmisch. As a finale enjoy two hiking tours with the Alps and splendid mountain panorama. All in all a hiking holiday full of enjoyment, with daily walking times of 5 hours maximum, whereas with both days in the mountains, you always have a choice between a more manageable and a more athletic option.
Seize the day of arrival to visit the centre of Munich with its numerous sights and experience Bavarian cordiality in one of the many characteristic beer gardens.
From the Bavarian metropolis, you walk along the river Isar through forests and meadows. Along the Way of St. James until the famous Schäftlarn monastery, you get to enjoy Bavarian delicacies and freshly brewed beer in the beer garden of the sanctuary. A short steep ascent takes you out of the Isar-valley to Schäftlarn.
You walk through the impressive Maisinger Gorge to Lake Maisinger See, an idyllic moor lake amidst spectacular scenery. Onwards to Possenhofen, where Empress Sissi spent her childhood. Past the island ‚Roseninsel‘ and Sissi‘s beloved lido Feldafing the route leads you along the idyllic path along the lakeside of Lake Starnberger Sees.
After a visit to the Benedictine monastery Bernried in the morning you proceed through the Bernrieder Park and picturesque nature reserves directly along the water. Soon you reach Seeshaupt, the southern end of Lake Starnberger See. This is the start of the wonderful lake district of the Osterseen-lakes, where you enjoy marvellous walks along their lakesides and a swim. You have fantastic views of Mount Zugspitze from the large Lake Ostersee, home of a multitude of waterfowl.
A day for relaxation and enjoyment of a landscape, which was also very much appreciated by many famous artists such as Franz Marc and Kandinsky. Follow our hiking suggestion via bridges and footbridges to the Lainbach-waterfalls, which impressively pour into a gorge. You walk along the rock path around Lake Kochelsee as far as Schlehdorf. Finally, you take the boat back to Kochel.
Today the first mountain tour awaits! The route leads you to the renowned Herzogstad on the bridlepath, which was already used by King Louis in order to reach his hunting lodge. Once you reach the top you take a well-earned break in the legendary beergarden or climb up to the Herzogstand, where you get a view all the way to Munich and into the high mountain range from the panorama-pavillon. Then you glide effortlessly into the valley by cable car, where you take the bus to Wallgau.
As a finale a fantastic summit tour of Mount Wank awaits. You walk through the deep Finzbach-ravine and ascend to the Finz-alp, a little hut in a fabulous location. Onwards to the Esterberg-alp, you get to enjoy the specialities of the chalet before you embark on the final ascent through the forest to the summit. From above you see an unforgettable view of the entire Zugspitz-massif and the ‚Wetterstein‘-mountains, situated directly opposite the town deep below you! Then sway comfortably downhill by cable car to Garmisch.
ca. 5 hours
16 km
950 m
100 m
Day
8
Departure or extension
Route information
The first part of your hiking week leads you leisurely on just slightly hilly terrain through the Alpine foothills. In between a day of rest lures with an option to walk around the lake before you are headed for the mountains towards Garmisch. Enjoy two hiking tours with the alps and splendid mountain panorama as a finale. All in all a hiking holiday full of enjoyment, with daily walking times of 5 hours maximum, whereas with both days in the mountains, you always have a choice between a more accessible and a more athletic option.