Sunday, July 27, 2008

GERMANY - Partnach Gorge - Partnachklamm, Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Partnach Gorge - Partnachklamm, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

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ABOVE: The Partnachklamm is a whitewater experience that you can enjoy without risking your life in a kayak.

The Partnach Gorge, or Partnachklamm, is a "don't miss" attraction.......

Partnach Gorge - Partnachklamm
Garmisch-Partenkirchen

photo You can return to the entrance of the Partnach Gorge after you've seen the falls, or you can take steps, a bridge, and a path to the top.

How to reach the Partnachklamm

Walk, drive, or take local bus....

COMMENTS:
"The highest point in Germany, at just shy of 3,000 feet, is easily reached in about 75 minutes. At 44 euros for a return ticket the cost is quite high, but I found it worth the money. I know others would disagree, but perhaps I am paid too much or have low standards. This was the highest I've been, though, and my first time up a snow covered mountain in the summertime. The previous highest point I'd managed was about 2,400 meters on Mount Bromo volcano in Indonesia, and I don't believe that has ever seen a snowflake in eternity. You can also walk up the mountain for free, but if you are short on time the train is a convenient, if sometimes confusing, alternative.
It took me a bit longer than 75 minutes to reach the top. I think the announcement system broke down just before the cog wheel train reached the Grainau stop. You see I was supposed to get out there and transfer to another train for Eibsee. As this isn't explained anywhere and only ever announced on the speaker system in the train, if the system fails to work properly, or the announcer speaks during a noisy spot on the journey, you are going to have to wait another hour or so as the train returns to GAP and comes back again.
At Eibsee you have to leave the station and walk through the woods to take the aerial tramway to the top. If you look really really carefully you might catch sight of a small sign pointing you in the right direction. Failing that follow the mob and hope they know where they are going. They didn't when I followed them and I ended up walking the long way around the car park. Once you reach the terminal you can jump into the cabin and rise rapidly and breathtakingly up the steep side of the mountain. Try and get on first, though, as they cram the cabin more tightly than a London tube carriage at rush hour and you may end up with a layer of people between you and the cabin's dirty window panes.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have missed the trip to the Zugspitze for twice the price, but the service leaves a lot to be desired.

Directions:
The Zugspitze station is just behind the hauptbahnhof (hbf). You can reach it by taking a left as you exit the station up Bahnhofstr. towards Garmisch, and then your first left through the big underpass and left again as you exit."
By antistar June 1, 2005 Email Me
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