Munich to Garmisch

Embark on a captivating walking tour that commences in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, leading you through a picturesque landscape of cascading waterfalls, babbling brooks, and serene lakes before venturing into rural Bavaria.

A cable car journey elevates you to greater heights, granting access to Germany's tallest peak, the Zugspitze. Below, the tranquil town of Garmisch awaits, surrounded by cozy alpine huts and rustic benches.

Prepare for an idyllic hiking experience during our journey from Munich to the Olympic town of Garmisch. The initial part of the trip treats you to a variety of water elements: the serene Isar River, enchanting waterfalls, babbling streams, and the awe-inspiring Bavarian lake landscape. Leading the way is the famous Lake Starnberger See, followed by Lake Kochelsee, nestled amidst majestic mountains, offering a truly remarkable hiking experience along its shores.

Lake Kochelsee serves as your gateway to the magnificent mountain region surrounding Garmisch. Here, you'll discover everything that defines an exceptional hiking destination: awe-inspiring mountain vistas, high-altitude hiking adventures with leisurely cable car rides, and hearty alpine huts serving authentic Bavarian specialities.

Details about the walking holiday from Munich to Garmisch

Day three of this hiking tour takes you from Munich and Schäftlarn to Bernried. Through the impressive Maisinger Gorge, to the Moorsee to Possenhofen Castle, where Empress Sisi once spent her childhood.

After a morning visit to the Benedictine monastery in Bernried, we continue to Lake Starnberg. The lake district of the Osterseen with a stunning view of the Zugspitze. On day five, it's time to take a break. Or you can explore Kochel am See and immerse yourself in the culture and art collections of the region.

In the last few days, two more mountain stages await hard-working hikers. To Wallgau and finally to the Zugspitze, until you arrive in Garmisch at the end of your journey.

The highlights of the Munich to Garmisch walking tour:

• Maisinger See: Through the impressive Maisinger gorge you reach the idyllic moor lake, which provides the perfect photo motif amid a dreamlike landscape.

• The southern end of Lake Starnberg: From there the uniquely beautiful lake district of the Osterseen begins. Whether hiking or swimming - you are spoiled for choice!

• The Zugspitze: 2,968 meters high is the highest peak in the Wetterstein Mountains and at the same time Germany's highest mountain.

Worth knowing about the hiking tour from Munich to Garmisch

The first hiking stage through the foothills of the Alps begins leisurely with only a few hills. To recharge your batteries, there is the option on day five to take a rest day or to circle the Kochelsee.

On average, 12 kilometres are covered daily, with minimal ascents of 200 meters. The daily walking time is a maximum of five hours.

Route summary

The first part of your hiking week leads you leisurely on slightly hilly terrain through the Alpine foothills. In between a day of rest lures with an option to walk around the lake before you are headed for the mountains towards Garmisch. As a finale enjoy two hiking tours with the Alps and splendid mountain panorama. All in all a hiking holiday full of enjoyment, with daily walking times of 5 hours maximum, whereas with both days in the mountains, you always have a choice between a more manageable and a more athletic option.

This tour has been graded as Medium. Find out more about our walking holiday difficulty levels.