Hike through the Partnach Gorge in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

This was my first adventure during my visit to Germany.  The hike starts at the historic 1936 winter olympics venue, Olympic-Skistadion stadium.  The preserved stadium adorns the same sculptures and features found during the 1936 winter games.  After taking in the olympic history, follow the signs and head west to the gorge entrance.  

Along the route you will encounter beautiful views of the mountain stream the flows in and out of the gorge.  The autumn season truly captures the beauty of the stream and its surrounding landscape. The 25 minute walk to the gorge entrance can be done on foot, or by a romantic horse drawn carriage ride.  No matter how you reach your goal, sturdy footwear is a must!  After a small fee of 4 euros, duck your head as you enter the gorge through a cave ledge that parallels the entire stream.  Immediately you encounter the beauty that is the Partnach Gorge, with walls rising above the crystal blue clear water to heights of 250ft.  The winding gorge provides moments and scenery a photographer dreams about.  Continuing along the gorge trail you find yourself underneath cool, glacier fed waterfalls.  Snaking south the gorge gets larger, with depths reaching up to 260 feet!  Watch your step as you move along the path, with safety rails and rock to keep you from falling in, the trail can at times be very slippery.  Make sure you look back along your journey, a new perspective can provide a photo you will not want to miss.  

After you reach the gorge exit, head back and grab a delicious german beer at the historic Olympia-Haus restaurant or continue your adventure 0.5 miles up the trail to the Hanneslebauer Inn where beer and food will satisfy any hiker's craving.  Total round trip from the stadium to Hanneslabauer Inn is about 2 miles with 600ft in elevation gain.  Have fun and enjoy the trip!