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Garmisch-Partenkirchen is undoubtedly Germany’s No. 1
winter sports centre, but now this resort in the
Bavarian Alps is fast becoming known to summer visitors
for its year-round attractions.
In summer, the mountains encircling the town offer the
hiker 186 miles of paths (easy or tough – the choice is
yours), clean, bracing air and breathtaking views over
one of Europe’s loveliest landscapes. Add such superb
amenities as the Alpspitz-Wellenbad (a complex of six
swimming pools, sauna, restaurant and nightclub), sports
facilities of all kinds, entertainment ranging from folk
theatre and open-air dancing to classical concerts and a
casino, and you have a year-round resort of irresistible
appeal.
In winter, Garmisch is a paradise for the skier, novice
or expert, downhill or cross-country, with over 120
miles of runs – some gentle, others classic alpine
pistes for the connoisseur. Each is served by cable car
and lifts, of which there are over 30. The more
important runs have sophisticated snowmaking machinery.
Garmisch has both an
Olympic skiing stadium, for slalom and ski-jumping
events, and the completely rebuilt 1936 Olympic Stadium,
offering the most modern ice sports’ facilities in
Germany was officially opened in 1995. Tobogganing is
also superbly catered for.
But to return to summer – visitors can climb every
mountain . . . including the Zugspitze, at 9,736 ft
Germany’s highest. Cable cars and a mountain railway
make it easier. Then there is the spectacular Partnach
gorge, and the surrounding Werdenfels region, rich in
churches, castles and country villages. And every year
the town commemorates Richard Strauss, a Garmisch
resident for 40 years, with a festival of his music. |
