The easy hike to the popular Kochelberg-Alm and on to the Partnachalm is possible at any time of the year and is always a highlight for children. The hike can be varied on several routes.

Tour profile

Difficulty level: easy
Route length: approx. 7.5 km (total)
ascents: 450 hm
descents: 450 hm

Getting there

You can start the hike at the Hausberg/Alpspitz-Wellenbad in Garmisch, at the ski stadium in Partenkirchen or at the top of Lake Rießersee. All three starting points are easily accessible from the Hotel am Badersee with the Zugspitze cable car — Hausberg stop. If you arrive by car, these starting points also offer enough parking spaces for hikers.

From the Alpspitz-Wellenbad

From the car park, take the paved footpath towards Hausberg. After the railroad crossing (i.e. near Hausberg train station), simply follow the dirt road straight ahead. If you arrive by train, you must therefore walk from the local mountain towards the ski stadium for a few minutes and then turn right onto the dirt road. From here, the route is signposted, the hiking time to the Kochelberg-Alm is approx. 20 minutes. On the way, you pass a riding school where, with a bit of luck, the children can watch horses or even cute foals. The trail continues past Hotel Hausberg into the forest. At the fork, you can choose either the wide forest road or a shorter but steep climb. Both paths then come back together at the top. At the small crossroads in front of the lake, turn left to the Kochelberg-Alm — the alpine pasture is already clearly visible from here. Walking time: approx. 30 minutes, altitude difference: approx. 130 m.

From the ski stadium/Olympic ski jump

In a snowy winter, this trail offers the opportunity to go sledding on the way back and enjoy the alpine winter to the fullest — then take a sled or a bobsled with you. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the ski stadium from the Hausberg Zugspitze railway stop. You can park your car right at the ski stadium. From there, take the footpath towards Partnachklamm. After about 10-15 minutes, you will reach a junction on the right side. The route is actually the famous toboggan run on which the traditional Partenkirchen horn sled race takes place every year. You now climb this path. After the climb, continue on the top of the road to Partnachalm until you reach the signposted turnoff to Kochelberg-Alm. Here you have to turn right. On a flat hiking trail through the forest, you can reach Kochelberg after about 15-20 minutes. Walking time: approx. 1 hour, altitude difference: approx. 250 m. The hike is easy to combine with a visit to the Partnach Gorge and the ski stadium. There are also usually horse-drawn carriages at the ski stadium, which can be taken to the Partnach Gorge.

From Riessersee

The Riessersee is not far away from Hausberg train station: after a short climb, you are already at the top of the Riessersee Hotel. From here you can enjoy a beautiful view of the lake and the Waxenstein. The hike through the forest from Riessersee to Kochelberg takes just over an hour and is more suitable for adults. Starting at Lake Rießersee, you have the opportunity to visit the historic bobsled track. Walking time: approx. 1 hour, altitude difference: approx. 300 m.

Am Kochelberg

The Kochelberg is a green hill below the local mountain. The Kochelberg-Alm is idyllically situated on a small lake, away from the Kochelberg ski slope. The rustic hut has a beautiful spacious lakeside terrace and a cozy dining room inside. There is a playground, but it is primarily the animals that make a visit with children exciting. In addition to the fish and ducks in the lake, the inhabitants of the small alpine zoo include geese, chickens of various breeds, pheasants and whistling canaries, free-range horses, cows, goats and sheep on the alpine pasture, and even wild boars, which have their own enclosure here on the Kochelberg. And of course the “Heidi” — a fat little pug who likes to look deeper into the dog food bowl. The Alm's gastronomic menu mainly includes regional delicacies: Weisswurst is ideal as a Sunday brunch, and in the afternoon, delicious homemade cakes, Kaiserschmarrn or even eggliquor cake are available.

On to Partnachalm

After a long relaxing break on the Kochelberg, you are welcome to continue hiking to the Partnachalm. On the wide signposted path through the forest, you reach the picturesque forest road. Here you can always discover typical Werdenfels hay huts in the clearings, which are absolutely photogenic. The Partnachalm is particularly an attraction because of its terrace with views of the Dreitorspitze and Schachen. The sound of water from the Partnachklamm gorge is easy to hear. In summer, the terrace is well shaded and a short break is always worthwhile.

If you want to get to the ski stadium from here, take the forest road back to Partenkirchen. The Partnachalm is a toboggan hut, so in winter you have the opportunity to enjoy a fast-paced sleigh ride down into the valley. The hike is also easy to combine with many other routes in the Hausberg/Partnachklamm area. From here or directly from Kochelberg, you can, for example, continue to the Bayernhaus and Hausberg in the Garmisch Classic skiing and hiking area. The Reintal Valley is not far away from the Partnachalm — first you reach the (private) tabernhaus, then you reach the banks of the Partnach on a wide forest road and can either go left to the Partnachklamm gorge or right to the Bockhütte. Alternatively, you can climb from the tabernacle via the beautiful but steep KE4 hiking route to Kreuzeck (moderate to difficult hike, closed in winter due to the risk of avalanches).

Most routes can also be done by bike in summer. Since you cannot cycle through the Partnachklamm gorge, the route via the Partnachalm serves as a detour for those who want to go to Reintal by mountain bike.

Tips & info:

• Kochelberg-Alm: open daily 10:00 to 18:00, Tuesday & Friday closed, open on public holidays
• Partnachalm: closed on Thursdays, open on public holidays

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