Third try’s a charm for the Partnachklamm!

Noah and I have been hearing about Bavaria’s own natural phenomenon –Partnachklamm - for some time now.  Our attempt to take visitors to the gorge last month was foiled by maintenance.  We then reserved a car for the holiday brückentag a few weeks ago with hopes of visiting the gorge, but instead we were met with a downpour, so we resorted to a fun day of running errands.  This time around we were determined to see this place come rain or come shine.

My parents arrived on Saturday, and we rented a car for the Monday holiday (one of the 4 we have this May).  My parents had tried to see this place last year, but also were met with a closure.  So even though the weather forecast wasn’t ideal, we were doing this!  

We piled the six of us in our Statt Auto car (had to take the dogs too), and began our hour-long drive south.  Not surprisingly given our record here, we were met with dark clouds and light rain when we arrived in Garmisch.  We were prepared with our raincoats and cameras, and the rain wasn’t going to stop us now!

We parked in the Olympia Skistadion lot and fell in line with the rest of the people heading to the gorge.  I guess with it being a holiday, many Bavarians had the same idea to get outside despite the weather.  We walked the 20 minutes or so along the road to get to the beginning of the gorge, and paid the small entrance fee.

You can opt for the carriage ride too

We trekked along the narrow path that hugged the cliff wall, and before we knew it the skies cleared up and we could see the sun coming through the top of the cliffs!  This made for some amazing lighting throughout the gorge (only a kilometer or so long), and lit up various waterfalls for our viewing pleasure.  I knew what to expect based on photos online, but I have to say – I think it exceeded my expectations.  For lack of a better description, it was really cool.  Hey, I have a cold, my creativity with words is lacking right now.

The dogs did pretty amazing, given that the path can get a bit narrow, and it can make for some tight spaces when people are heading the opposite way as you. Rita only ‘pancaked’ twice (when she freaks out and just sprawls herself flat on the ground so you can’t move her), and they were smart not to get too close to the edge of the path.  Though they are always thrilled to be allowed to come along, regardless of the destination.

Overall I would definitely recommend this as a place to visit if you are in the Garmisch area – it is a pretty easy ‘hike’ (more like a walk), the path has rails for those scared of heights/falling off the edge (like me – it isn’t bad, really), and the scenery is really cool (to quote my clever self from earlier).