Garmish-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitz

Garmish-Partenkirchen is a lovely little town in Bavaria (southern Germany), at the foot of the Zugspitz. The Zugspitz is the highest mountain in Germany, in the German Alps. We were there in July, and boy was it windy, wet, and cold. Not at all like the weather back home in Huntsville, Alabama. But in spite of the weather, we had a wonderful time.

Here/s a funny Bavaria story. We had just had dinner in a lovely little village in southern Germany, and were looking over the trinkets in a little shop in the town. Like most of the ... (more)

In Garmish
Here is an intersection in Garmish. Watch out! Drivers are...

Olympic Stadium
The 1936 Winter Olympics were held in Garmish. Here is the Olympic Stadium.

The Zugspitz
Here is a view of the Zugspitz from Garmish. We went to the top the next day!

Zugspitz Train
Here is the train that takes you from Garmish to the top of the Zugspitz....

Sunset
Here is a beautiful sunset over the mountains seen from Garmish. We...

View from the Train
Here is a view back down the mountain as we ascended the Zugspitz. Simply...

Snowball??
Have you ever heard the old saying about something being "as likely as a...

Observation Platform
Here is a view from the observation platform. This emblem actually marks the...

Church
Here is a beautiful view of a church and cemetary along the train-way from...

Another View from the Train
Here is a quite lovely, bucolic view from the Zugspitz train.

article published 11/9/2000

bookmark with del.icio.us

Comments

Add a comment

I climbed the Zugspitz! In 1984 as part of adventure training in the Army. I cried the whole way, wishing we could take the train. Now I would not trade it for anything!
— john, October 26, 2008

eibsee hotel
the eibsee hotel was returned to the germans in the mid 70s and was for several years run by holiday inn. they have their own website and they sent me a brochure. it still pretty much looks the same as i remember it from 66-72.
— james glezen, March 6, 2006

I would like to find out how to reserve a room at Kornmuller Gesthaus. If anyone knows where to find them on the web please let me know. We are going on a trip to Garmisch in June. Thanks
— heidi, March 13, 2004

Brings back memories
I lived in Garmisch for four years when my father was stationed there with the U.S. Air Force. While I haven't been back there for 11 years, seeing your photos brings back such fond memories!! I loved every moment of it and can't wait to make it back there some day.
— Jeremy Blair, January 30, 2004

I lived there after World War II, from Oct. 1945 until Dec. 7, 1948, whenI left for USA. I loved it there. Enjoyed every moment, and outgrew my Chronical Bronchitis. That is something, I say. Also I overcame my fear of heights. Keep well and be Blessed. Gisela
— Gisela E Vavala, August 5, 2003

Mr
Please could someone forward me the postal address of Mrs Kornmullers guesthouse.Reason being I am tracing my family tree and have suspicions she could be related.Any help would be appreciated.My works e-mail is brophyj@medimmune.com and my home e-mail is JOHN 'jacksonmews.fsnet.co.uk
— JOHN BROPHY, June 27, 2003

retired
I was stationed in Hanau,germany from 1/12/56 to 4/15/59 and also got married there to my yet beautiful wife Frieda who is from (East Prussia). I went to a wheeled vehicle school in Garmish in 1956 for 9 weeks. It was at that time I saw the great castles of southern Germany. I have been back to my wifes home town of Dorstetten 5 times, the last in 1998. I love Germany as much as I love my own, it's just a beautiful place. Jacob werner
— jacob werner, October 17, 2002

Fabio's Lil' Ladies
Well Hello Kitties, Hope Garmisch iz not missing us 2much....roll on next summer! HeHE!! I'd like to mention how friendly all the Turkish gentlemen are in Garmisch especially in Evergreen after i did an erotic pole dance! Nothing will compare to my big man FABIO, who by the way works in Peaches/ the music club! Not to 4get however those friendly chappies at the Army base especailly JEFF and Mike who work the gates and check i.ds at the army barracks but who can also shake their moneymakers when given the chance especially at the Exit club where the porn film star owner struts his funky stuff in his white suit,john Travolta stylee!!! Finally the Garmisch Polizei are quite hospitable if u know what i mean.....If u get the opportunity to spend the night in the cells i'd take it whoo-pah! signed Fabio's lil' ladies 04/09/02
— Tri Cailini, September 3, 2002

myself and 3 other irish cailini visited garmish. the craic was mighty, we had a feckin snack box! the irish bar was kickin, and evergreen was the place with the best talent ever, ha ha. peaches rocked our world because FABIO worked there.. if u were in garmish this summer we were the 3 irish lasses screaming FABIO....dats rite, Garmish we shall meet again.....
— siobhan, September 1, 2002

Mrs. Kornmuller's Gasthaus
My family and I just returned from a European vacation which included seeveral days in Garmisch. We returned to Mrs. Kornmuller's Gasthaus, where I had stayed thirty years ago as a kid travelling with my family. Because of the diligence of my son, we found it and were thrilled to see that it is still in business, and that Mrs. Kornmuller, who is 92, is still there! Mrs. Kornmullers is a great little hotel, a five minute walk from Marienplatz, and I would recommend it to anyone! It's easy on the budget,and has a great view of Zugspitze from the balcony. To Jo Ann (who posted a comment and a question), yes the Hotel Eibsee is still there, and it is very nice. We really enjoyed the pictures. Garmisch is one of the most beautiful towns in the world!
— B. Marlatt, Atlanta, Georgia, July 8, 2002

We stayed in Garmisch in early June and thought that the town was lovely. Our hotel, on the other hand, was a bit of a problem. We chose the Hotel Hillprandt because of its location enar the RR. However, we Americans felt unwelcomed by the owner. He constantly watched us and often chided us about our choices of sight-seeing in the area. Also, when we asked for directions or ideas, his reaction was one of being irked by them rather than being friendly and courteous. Further, we were rebuffed when we used the patio because we had our own bottle of wine rather than purchasing his wine. It was quite a tense two days. Americans beware of Hotel Hillprandt!
— Denis, June 28, 2002

I have a question....years ago, around 1963, in April, my husband (USArmy, then) and I stayed in a lovely hotel...I believe it was then called the Eibsee Hotel, not sure...on Lake Eibsee at the foot of the Zugspitze. Does anyone know if it is still there, or has it been renamed? I would appreciate any information anyone has regarding this lovely old hotel. Thank you so much!
— Jo Ann, June 2, 2002

Last vacation
My family and another couple just spent a week in the AFRC campground and sadly it was my dear friend Jessica's last vacation. She was killed in a plane crash just ten days after enjoying the majestic mountains in Virginia. I am glad she had some good times before she passed. Thanks Garmisch, you will never be the same to me.
— Josh Quinton, May 21, 2002

I was born in a U.S. Army hospital in Munich and lived for several years in Garmisch as a child. Two years ago in September I returned for the first time. Garmisch is the most beautiful little town in the world. It is like a fairy-tale place. I wish I could live there all the time.
— J.Renander, May 18, 2002

Auf Wiedersehen Garmisch!
It's 35 years since I lived in Garmisch, where I worked as a civilian for the US Army. I felt very fortunate to live in this beautiful town, and each morning I stood on the balcony where I rented a room, which was next to the Loisachbrueke (river), and gazed at the sun rising from behind the mountain peaks. I climbed the Wank many times, and took a trip on the Zugspitzbahn which led to the Schneefernerhaus Hotel, near the summit of the Zugspitze where one can observe hundreds of other distant summits on a clear day. For a place to go for beautiful walks, Garmisch can't be bettered. I made many friends there, and now wonder what's happened to them. As a Scot I have much empathy with the Bavarians, who consider themselves quite different from usual Germans, and their scenery is much like my own country. To me Garmisch was "home-from-home", and I long to make another visit there!
— Graham A. Smith, April 9, 2002

Inspiring
I visited Garmisch, and other parts of Germany, just a few months ago and absolutely LOVED it. It was my first trip out of the U.S. with my boyfriend, Jeremy. At the top of the Zugspitz, I found the highlight of my trip. The weather was amazing. You could see clear to the bottom of the mountain, no clouds and plenty of sunshine. There is a tiny chapel on the top of the mountain in the ski area. Jeremy and I are currently planning our next trip, during which we hope to be married in that chapel. This is a while off but its never to early to plan! If anyone has any info or ideas to help us make it happen please drop me a line!
— Melissa, April 4, 2002

Yes, you still ascend the mountain in that same way: first a cog-wheel train and then an aerial tram. I don't believe the inn is there any more (at least I couldn't see it in the fog). There is a modern tram station with restaurants and observation decks.
— Craig Clontz, April 1, 2002

About 55 years ago, I spent the better part of a week in Garmisch-Partinkirchen, on an army furlough. As I recall, we rode up to the Zugspitz part way on a cog railway and them transfered to a tram and traveled the rest of the way through the air. There was a small inn near the top of the mountain. We then walked about a hundred yards to the top. The view was obscured by fog and mist with much snow all around. It was fantastic anyway. I wonder if any of this is done today. Frank Hauflaire, Villa Park, IL
— Frank Hauflaire, April 1, 2002

Melanie, meet me in Garmish! What a lovely place.
— Don, March 27, 2002

Loved your photos. I lived in Germany for six years and cried when I left it. I am not a skier but I had a great time in Garmish and I tried to learn to ski and to ice skate. Met the Lake Placid tobogan team there, decades ago, and just in general loved it.
— w. p. bratcher, March 9, 2002

Thank you for your kind comments about my Garmish pictures. In addition to our visits to Garmish, Wittenberg, and Dachau, we also went to the walled city of Rothenburg, took a cruise on the Rhine, and saw several of King Ludwig's castles, including Neuchweinstein. I had planned on posting pictures from those latter three as well, but haven't found the time...
— Craig Clontz, March 5, 2002

I went to Garmish last year and I loved it. It's one of the most beautiful city I've ever seen. The Eibsee (that lake at the foot of Zugspitze). I hope you all can walk around that lake and enjoy all the scenics. But, we thought it hab about 2 or 3 miles... but it has 5 miles... Hope you can all visit the most beautiful part of Germany like Partenkirchen, Scwangau (Neuchweinstein), Augusburg and why not, the pretty MUNICH. Have a nice trip! Bye. And congratiulations Craig, great pictures!
— Guilherme - Brazil, March 5, 2002

zugspitz skiing was awesome !
Hickory, NC

I just got back home from visiting Germany! I absolutely loved it! We skiied at 3 different slopes throughout Germany but I fell in love with 'Zugspitz'! While riding the toe rope back up the slope I just couldn't believe I was in such a beautiful place, it was truly miraculous!
— Michelle Howard, January 10, 2002

(Dr.)
It is great to read about someone discovering this lovely part of the world where we've not been for decades. Thinking now of returning fpr skiing. For all the scholarship I've done including having lived in S. of Germany for a couple years, there is nowhere one would have found out that subtle distinction held by Bavarians. Hey, don't worry about research. Travel and enjoy.
— Eugene Miller, October 5, 2001

What are you talking about?
My nose out of joint? Oh, you must mean the funny Bavaria story. You misunderstood me, I was simply amused. I meant no offense to the store owner. I, too, loved Bavaria and all the people I met there. I hope one day to return! -Craig.
— Craig Clontz, March 24, 2001

lover of baveria
do some research before going to unfamiliar places, and you will not get your nose out of joint.
— TED frisch, February 26, 2001