Bavaria Mountain Hiking Around Zugspitze
Germany, Austria Hiking + Walking Tours
Scenic Alpine Hiking: Majestic Mountain and Lake Views from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Eibsee
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Tour Type
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Skill Level
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Length7 days
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Prices from€1304 Rates
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Overview
Amidst towering mountains and lush valleys, discover the Zugspitze region where hiking routes lead to alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, and quaint villages.
Your journey begins in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a Bavarian town full of Alpine traditions. You'll hike through the Partnach Gorge and walk along the scenic paths of the Leutasch Valley, where the Leutascher Ache River flows through bucolic landscapes.
Just a short distance away lies the Seefeld region, known for its crystal-clear lakes and mountain views. Continuing to Ehrwald, you'll discover access to the awe-inspiring Zugspitze summit. Nearby, Eibsee awaits with tranquil shores and emerald-green waters that mirror Germany's highest peak.
Whether you're eager to explore hiking trails or simply soak in the peaceful, natural beauty of the Alps, the Zugspitze region offers an unforgettable experience.
Highlights
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Partnach Gorge
- Leutasch Valley
- Mittenwald
- Seefeld Region
- Ehrwald
- Eibsee
See all of our hiking and walking tours!
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Day 2: Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Mittenwald/Klais (10 miles / 16 km)
Day 3: Mittenwald/Klais - Leutasch (9 miles / 14 km)
Day 4: Leutasch (7 miles / 11 km)
Day 5: Leutasch - Ehrwald (10.5 miles / 17 km)
Day 6: Ehrwald - Garmisch-Partenkirchen (7.5 miles / 12 Km)
Day 7: Departure from Garmisch-PartenkirchenAll distances are approximate. The itinerary may change due to weather, local authorities' provisions, or unforeseen circumstances like roadwork. Temporary deviations may occur along the route, not reflected in maps. Follow local directions in such cases.
Day 1: Arrival in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Upon arrival, settle into your hotel before setting off to explore. Wander through Ludwigstrasse, where you'll find quirky shops full of handmade crafts and tasty local treats. Don't miss the Werdenfels Museum for a peek into the region's history. If time permits, catch a cable car up Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, for beautiful mountain views. End the day with a classic Bavarian dinner of schnitzel, dumplings, and local beer.Sample Accommodations: Hotel Staudacherhof Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Day 2: Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Mittenwald/Klais (10 miles / 16 km)
Begin the day with a scenic walk through the Partnach Gorge, featuring dramatic limestone walls rising up to 80 meters, with the Partnach River carving its way through. As you pass through the gorge, you'll witness the converging waters of the Wetterstein Massif, an area that includes some of the highest peaks in the region. Continue over gentle hills and alpine meadows, dotted with wildflowers, grazing cattle, and traditional Bavarian chalets. Depending on hotel availability, your destination might be the tranquil village of Klais, known for its traditional Bavarian architecture and Roman history, or the town of Mittenwald, renowned for its historic violin-making industry, quaint streets, and Lüftlmalerei frescoes.Elevation: +640m / -430m
Duration: 5 hoursSample Accommodations: Post Hotel Mittenwald or Hotel Sonnenhof
Day 3: Mittenwald/Klais - Leutasch (9 miles / 14 km)
Departing from either Mittenwald or Klais, you’ll follow the route through the Partnach Gorge. Wooden footbridges span up to 40 meters above the rushing waters, offering exhilarating views. As you continue along Leutascher Ache into the valley, you'll pass charming hamlets and flower meadows against the backdrop of the Wetterstein massif, leading you deeper into the Leutasch valley. End the day in Leutasch, a quaint Tyrolean village.Elevation: +220m / -30m
Duration: 4 hoursSample Accommodations: Biohotel Leutascherhof
Day 4: Leutasch (7 miles / 11 km)
Today offers the flexibility to unwind or hike to some of the area's most picturesque spots. Follow the Jakobsweg trail to reach the viewpoint at Ropferstubn or continue to the lodge at Brunschkopf for breathtaking vistas. Alternatively, take a walk around Lake Weidach or venture up to the rustic Wildmoosalm.Elevation: +/- 350m
Duration: 4 hoursSample Accommodations: Biohotel Leutascherhof
Day 5: Leutasch - Ehrwald (10.5 miles / 17 km)
After a short bus ride into Gaistal Valley, you’ll be greeted with idyllic summer scenes where Haflinger horses, brown and grey cattle, and Scottish Galloways graze peacefully. Follow the Ganghofer path, a route praised by Bavarian author Ludwig Ganghofer for its tranquility. Continue on to Ehrwalder Alpine Pasture, then descend via cable car into the valley and journey onward to the Alpine village of Ehrwald.Elevation: +440m / -290m
Duration: 5 hoursSample Accommodations: Hotel Sonnenspitze Ehrwald
Day 6: Ehrwald - Garmisch-Partenkirchen (7.5 miles / 12 Km)
Step by step, you ascend to the foothills of Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, where the famous Eibsee offers a stunning view. The tour ends on the shores of Lake Eibsee, surrounded by the panorama of Zugspitz and Garmisch. Enjoy this natural wonder before taking the Zugspitz train back to Garmisch, completing a day filled with mountain vistas and alpine landscapes.Elevation: +540m / -510m
Duration: 4.5 hoursSample Accommodations: Hotel Staudacherhof Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Day 7: Departure from Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Your tour concludes following breakfast. Alternatively, you might consider extending your stay to continue exploring this beautiful region! -
Map
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Accommodation
All 4-star accommodations have been carefully chosen for their historic charm and scenic locations within this region’s natural beauty. While every effort will be made to secure rooms in the specified sample hotels, alternative accommodations of equal suitability will be provided if necessary due to availability.
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 6 nights
- 6 Breakfasts
- Welcome meeting
- One-way cable car fare from Ehrwald
- One-way Zugspitzbahn train fare from Eibsee to Garmisch
- Luggage transport service
- Detailed route description
- Navigation app and GPS data
What’s Not Included
- Lunches & dinners
- Tourist tax
- Train fare from Klais to Mittenwald (appx €3)
- Bus fare from Seefeld to Leutasch (appx €3)
- Bus fare from Leutasch to Gaistal (appx €3)
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
- Season 1 May–Oct 20252025 departures: Daily between May 17th and June 5th and September 15th through October 5th
2025 May Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 June Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 September Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 October Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tour package Per person, double occupancy € 1304 Single use room (1 person/1 room) € 1533 Extra Nights Price Garmisch-Partenkirchen € 195 Single use room (1 person/1 room) € 230 Mittenwald/Klais On request Leutasch On request Ehrwald On request - Season 2 Jun–Sep 20252025 departures: Daily between June 6th and 29th and August 25th through September 14th
2025 June Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 August Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 September Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tour package Per person, double occupancy € 1384 Single use room (1 person/1 room) € 1613 Extra Nights Price Garmisch-Partenkirchen € 195 Single use room (1 person/1 room) € 230 Mittenwald/Klais On request Leutasch On request Ehrwald On request - Season 3 Jun–Aug 20252025 departures: Daily between June 30th and August 24th
2025 June Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 July Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2025 August Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Tour package Per person, double occupancy € 1474 Single use room (1 person/1 room) € 1703 Extra Nights Price Garmisch-Partenkirchen € 195 Single use room (1 person/1 room) € 230 Mittenwald/Klais On request Leutasch On request Ehrwald On request
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
- Season 1 May–Oct 2025
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Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
This walking tour requires a good basic level of fitness and good health, with no special technical skills needed. You’ll traverse well-maintained trails and some forest paths. Daily routes are scheduled for up to five hours, occasionally a bit longer, with only slight differences in altitude. Steeper gradients are managed with transfers or a cable car, ensuring manageable hiking experience.
Airport Info
Fly to Munich Airport (MUC)
Local Travel
To get from Munich Airport to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, take the S-Bahn S1 or S8 to Munich Central Station, a journey of about 40-45 minutes. From there, transfer to a regional train (RB or RE) bound for Garmisch-Partenkirchen, with trains departing hourly and the trip taking 1.5 to 2 hours through scenic Bavarian landscapes. Upon arrival at Garmisch-Partenkirchen station, taxis, buses, or walking can take you to your first accommodation. Take these steps in reverse order upon departure to return to the Munich Airport.
Climate
From May to October, the Zugspitze region enjoys a transition from spring blooms to autumn colors. Temperatures range from mild to warm, with highs averaging 59-77 °F in May and reaching 75-90°F in summer. As autumn arrives in September and October, temperatures cool to 50-68 °F.
Remarks
In regards to luggage, there is no restriction on the number of bags you may bring, however, please try to keep luggage below 44 lbs. Leave your fully packed suitcases at your accommodation’s reception by 9 am. Ensure your daily backpack is compact yet practical, including essentials like medication and other necessities for the day. Your luggage will be collected and transported to the next accommodation no later than 6 pm.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Extra Stay
If you would like to stay longer in a particular location to explore further, please let us know. We will do our best to accommodate your wishes.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Eurohike.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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