What does a perfect Sunday morning look like in Garmisch-Partenkirchen? Sure: hike to the Gschwandtnerbauer and enjoy a fresh curd strudel with a view of the Karwendel with a coffee while the children frolic in the playground or sledge in winter.

Tour profile

Difficulty level: easy
Route length: approx. 4 km (total)
ascents: 150 hm
descents: 150 hm

Getting there

The Gschwandtnerbauer mountain restaurant is located in idyllic surroundings at the foot of the Wank between Partenkirchen and Krün. It is one of the most traditional inns in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The hut can be reached by car or on foot from Partenkirchen. By car, drive from Hotel am Badersee towards Partenkirchen and continue on the B2 towards Mittenwald. About 7 km after leaving town, there is a left turn-off to Schlattan/ Höfle. Keep right at the top fork and you will reach the car park after another 150 m. However, on nice weekend days, the car park will fill up quickly.

Another option would be to hike the hut on foot. Berggasthof Gschwandtnerbauer can be reached on several routes:

• You can get on the lower hiking trail directly at several points in Partenkirchen. The Eibsee bus takes you directly from the hotel to Partenkirchen and start the hike there.
• The upper trail is something for mountain hikers and leads over the Tannenhütte, which is also on several routes from Partenkirchen to reach is. It is also possible to travel here by Eibsee bus.
• A visit to the Gschwandtnerbauer can also be part of a Wankumrundung be.

The trails below Wank are well signposted and all run parallel to each other in the same direction, so the risk of getting lost is relatively low. Depending on the route and pace, it takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours to reach the Gschwandtnerbauer on foot. A hike from Krün or a bike ride is also possible.

The Gschwandtner Builder

10:30 a.m.: Christmas week is a great time to go on a trip with the whole family after a relaxing breakfast. With the wide range of options, the only question that remains is what you want to do today. It snowed overnight and the landscape is covered in fairytale white. We finally decide to go on a tour to the Geschwandtnerbauer. So put on your ski clothes, bring your sled and bobsled and set off comfortably.

11:00 o'clock: The parking lot on site is full, but the locals understand if there are still a few cars parked below the parking lot on the side of the road. The hike to the Gschwandtnerbauer is possible in any weather and at any time of the year. The wide forest road is moderately steep; covered with fresh snow, it also offers a perfect toboggan run today. From the parking lot, it takes about 20-30 minutes to get to the hut. Of course, parents have to haul the bobsleighs and sledges on the way up, while the children romp around in the snow. As a result, the climb here takes much longer and by the time we reach the hut, the children have already wet feet.

11:45 a.m.: When it snows, the inn is a real attraction with its idyllic location and unforgettable Karwendel views. In addition to the cozy interior with panoramic front, visitors also have access to a spacious outdoor terrace with a panoramic view. On beautiful sunny days, you can also sit outside in winter, which is exactly the case today. After our leisurely hike, during which numerous other day trippers have overtaken us and have probably already occupied the best seats in the inn, we are still hoping for a spot outside. We're lucky and a couple is about to leave. This gives us an outdoor table right next to the small house chapel, which is beautifully covered with roses in summer. You can always eat well at Gschwandtnerbauer. Meat and dairy products are produced locally in a sustainable and species-appropriate way. And the homemade curd strudel with fresh curd made from homemade milk is always a treat for the palate!

The mountain inn was built around 1490 from a hay barn as Schwaige “Gschwandt” and has been operated as a restaurant since 1883. The name “Gschwandt” comes from “Schwenden”, the process of clearing by burning: back then, the settlers had to create the meadows and fields themselves. The current Gschwandtner farmer is Hansjörg Neuner, who runs the farm in the 8th generation. 12-14 Murnau-Werdenfels cattle live here — an endangered breed of cattle that used to be widespread in our region, as well as around 25 Werdenfels mountain sheep.

12:15 p.m.: Fresh from the oven, curd strudel is eaten in no time, it is so delicious. Now, of course, the little ones want to go sledding. After snowfall like last night, the slope next to the hut is perfect for sledding. Many other children are already there while their parents relax and enjoy the unique game of sun and clouds on the Karwendel massif with other delicacies. The panoramic view alone makes a stop at the Gschwandtnerbauer worthwhile at any time of the year. In winter, the steep rocks of the Karwendel shine in their white splendor, in spring, the apple trees are in full bloom here, in summer, the cows graze picturesquely on the green fields in front of the hut, and after a rain, the spectacular clouds of fog that run through the Isar Valley determine the view. From time to time, a hare or a deer comes out of the forest, and in autumn, a colorful blaze of colors beckons. The mountain inn is a small world full of nature experiences. So it's no wonder that a visit to the Gschwandtnerbauer on a weekend is part of everyday life for the people of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

2:00 p.m.: The children slowly get wet from frolicking in the snow and want to go home. Finally, the mountain road to the car park is ideal for all of us for a rapid descent. However, you have to be careful, after all, there are also pedestrians on the way and the ditch is right next to it. Everything will be fine, we'll sled safely up to our car. While we parents are packing up the wet children's clothes and taking out a change of clothes, the children are already discussing what they would like to do in the next snowfall, - maybe we can go sledding at the Gschwandtnerbauer again?

Tips & info:

• Gasthof Gschwandtnerbauer — website
• Gasthof Gschwandtnerbauer is closed before Christmas. Hot food is available on the veranda from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Otherwise, there are various breads and cakes. Mondays and Fridays are days off.
• Tannenhütte - Website
• Pfeifferalm - Site

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