Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
As a former host of the Winter Olympic Games and home to some of Bavaria’s most popular ski resorts, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is perhaps best known as a winter destination, but the alpine region is equally captivating during the summer months. This is Bavaria at its most photogenic, with sweeping mountain vistas capped by snowy peaks and charming villages characterized by colorful building murals and flower-fringed timber houses. Good weather and stunning scenery make summer the ideal time for exploring.
Hiking, biking and rafting are among the most popular summer activities in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and there are seemingly endless ways to enjoy the outdoors, including over 300km of marked trails. Top hiking destinations include Lake Eibsee, the dramatic Reintal Valley and the Alpspitze. Another nice, scenic trail runs from the Partnach Gorge to the Jagdschloss Schachen, a former hunting lodge of King Ludwig II.
Additional summer activities include riding the cable car or cog-wheel railway to the 1,240m Eckbauer peak or the 2,960m summit of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain; zooming down the summer toboggan run (close to the Olympic ski stadium); sailing on Walchensee lake; rafting or canoeing along the rivers or teeing off at one of the region’s 18 golf courses.
You don’t have to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen either – for a day trip, you can hire a car or join a tour and discover nearby attractions like Linderhof Castle, Neuschwanstein Castle and Oberammergau.
Summer Activities in Garmisch-Partenkirchen from Germany Things to Do