Fantastic winter hikes
Experience nature on foot in our natural paradise in its winter coat
Experience the snowflakes gently touching the landscape, the fresh smell. Experience Lake Eibsee covered by ice in the winter months and how the ice releases the shimmering emerald water again when winter is over. Winter hikes in the Zugspitze region are a unique experience of the senses. Look forward to wonderful impressions around the Eibsee and in the surrounding alpine region.
Tips for winter hikes
One-of-a-kind winter wonderland
The following tours are especially popular with our guests.
Around Lake Eibsee
Winter Eibsee Discovery Hike
Step out the door and set out on a small, but exciting discovery hike around Lake Eibsee in its winter costume of ice and snow. Find new views of the enchanting “winter lake" and feel closer to nature than ever before. Start out by going around the lake counter-clockwise on the Eibsee Loop Trail (cleared in the winter) until you reach the small Untersee lake - you can even pull a sled or push a baby buggy here.
The rest of the hike follows the shoreline and passes through the forest. Take time for a leisurely break in this magnificent setting before returning to the hotel after 7 km (11 mi.).
From Partnachklamm gorge to Eckbauer
A magical winter hike
Experience an amazing magical world of rock and ice formations on your winter hike through Partnachklamm! You can take the Zugspitzbahn close to the Garmisch-Partenkirchen ski stadium or ride a bus directly there. This is where your winter wonderland hike starts. From here, you walk down a road closed to traffic and leading through a picture-perfect alpine landscape covered with snow that takes you to the head of the trail through the gorge. After you get to the top and leave the gorge, you take the crest trail to the lodge and the top of the Eckbauer chairlift. Here you can decide whether you want to take the gondola lift, descend on foot or ride a sled down.
Snowshoe hikes
Hiking through the snow in the Zugspitze Region
Strap on snowshoes and make your own tracks in the snow wherever you please – without being bound to a road or trail. Experience the spectacular nature of the Eibsee region even more intensely during your cross-country snowshoe hike. Hotel guests can rent snowshoes free of charge right at our hotel (subject to availability). With the Grainau Guest Card that you receive at our hotel, the ride on the Eibsee bus or the Zugspitzbahn railway between Eibsee and Garmisch-Partenkirchen is cost-free.
We recommend the following routes for your snowshoe hike ...
Snowshoe hike on the Wank mountain
Enjoy a fantastic 360° view
Look forward to a very special winter hike: Start out by taking the gondola lift to the sunny peak of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. At the top, you can enjoy a fantastic 360° view across the Werdenfelser Land all the way to Munich to the north and of the impressive Wetterstein mountains to the south and west. Strap on your snowshoes and follow the trail across a large high plateau, then down through a small alpine forest and, finally, through snow-covered pastures to the alpine lodge, Esterbergalm. After a leisurely break, descend into the valley along a snow-covered forest-service road.
Snowshoe tour to Stuiben
Snowshoeing at the base of the Alpspitze mountain
Discover the fantastic landscape of our alpine region off the beaten track. A magnificent snowshoe hike awaits you at the base of the Alpspitze mountain! Take the Alpspitzbahn in Garmisch-Partenkirchen up to Kreuzeck, the starting point for your unforgettable snowshoe tour. After crossing the ski slope and a small climb, you will reach the Stuiben cabin (self-catering). You can take a comfortable break here with your packed lunch and enjoy spectacular vistas before returning to Kreuzeck on the same route.
