The popular Wank excursion mountain with its spacious huts and fantastic views of the whole of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is perfect for relaxation and slowing down at any time of the year, but also as an event venue. After the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn has announced a church dedication at the Sonnenalm next Sunday, we will book our tickets immediately.

Tour profile

Difficulty level: easy
Route length: approx. 6 km
ascents: 0 hm
descents: 650 hm

The panoramic mountain Wank serves Garmisch-Partenkirchner, among other things, as a meeting place after its skiing operation was completely relocated to the local mountain in 2003. While the slopes are slowly covered with trees, the mountain railway built in 1982 still brings numerous visitors to the Wank summit every day. It is also possible to climb the Wank on foot or by mountain bike. Thanks to its numerous well-maintained hiking trails, forest roads and stops (Tannenhütte, Gschwandtnerbauer, Esterbergalm), the Wank is considered one of the most hiking-friendly mountains in the Zugspitze region. A wonderful view of the Werdenfels mountains, relaxing walks or snowshoe hikes on the summit plateau, a cozy stop at one of the two mountain taverns, the Wankhaus (Alois Huber House) or the Sonnenalm, — a trip to the Wank is always worthwhile, according to the motto “Wank again”. The mountain is also perfect for public parties, with popular festivals such as Johannifeuer, outdoor concerts such as “Musik am Wank”, Christmas and New Year weeks for families take place again and again.

11:40 a.m.: In the morning, I look at the snow-covered Wank summit from the window. It is a bit cloudy but the view is still there. Hopefully it will be a bit sunnier during the day. With anticipation of the first snow experiences of winter 2020/2021, the warm clothing is packed into the backpack. Participating in the church anniversary cost us 35 euros per person, including ascent and descent and a festive meal with duck and red cabbage. Our table is reserved for 1 p.m., so we'll be there shortly before noon and look for a parking space at the valley station. However, the large car park is almost completely occupied — it should be busy up on the Sonnenalm. We too have finally found a spot, now put on some hiking boots and off we go.

12:00 p.m.: The lady at the ticket office thinks we no longer need tickets and that the QR codes we received by email should be automatically read directly at the turnstile. Hmm, let's see if it works. Fortunately, everything fits, and the gondola cabins are pretty small and we only ride among ourselves. The ascent takes approx. 20 minutes. The Wankbahn slowly passes the rocks and spruces, which are slightly sweetened with snow. Shortly after the middle station, we already observe an almost closed blanket of snow. Some of the hiking trail runs directly below the mountain railway, so we can see the tons of hikers who are probably also on foot for the church anniversary. Hopefully, the corona rules will be complied with at the hut.

12:15 p.m.: Fortunately, there is no wind at the summit; it is already the dead of winter here with over 70 cm of snow, snowy mountain pines and freshly made snowmen. Fairytale! We go for a walk at the summit and enjoy the idyllic undisturbed winter landscapes. In sunshine, the snow-covered surface strongly reflects the sun's rays — the feeling you've almost forgotten since the last winter season, which was shortened due to a curfew. You finally need sunglasses again!

1:00 p.m.: We will soon be on the Sonnenalm punctually at 1 pm, where the smell of delicious farmer's duck is already smelling at the entrance. Here we get a separate table with a great window view of the Zugspitze massif. We are positively surprised with the implementation of the corona measures at Sonnenalm: plexiglass panes hang between the sitting areas, and the tables and benches are diligently disinfected after every visitor. This has a calming effect on us, we order wheat beer and rave about the duck, which is coming soon, and listen to hut music. The duck is also delicious, so tender and juicy. Some guests also order other à la carte dishes that look just as great. A stop at the Sonnenalm was worth it, so we'd love to go back!

2:30 p.m.: After delicious food and wheat beer, we now feel the urge to move more. We may want to partially avoid the descent and walk down to the middle station. I would of course like the longer route across the Esterbergalm Take, but my companion is not that sporty and doesn't want to take a big detour. That's why we chose the trail we had seen from the cable car, even though it is so full. According to a mountain railway employee, this usually takes around an hour.

2:45 p.m.: The narrow, winding path starts right at the mountain station. The sky is clear, the warm sun-drenched air smells of moist mountain pines, the snow melts under our feet and small puddles and streams form along the way. The descent is moderately steep, pleasant and very picturesque; here you can stop every 5 minutes and photograph different perspectives of the local mountains. Below the snowline, we take a break and enjoy the sun on a comfortable bench. It gets a bit steeper from here, but only for a short time. Soon we are at the junction to the middle station and after a small water gorge we reach the Wankbahn again.

4:00 p.m.: At the middle station, we have to wait a few minutes until an empty gondola cabin comes from above. From the gondola, you have a great view of the Olympic ski jump — it is perhaps the best vantage point from which the ski jump can be photographed. However, we can only enjoy the view for a short time: in just a few minutes we will be back at the valley station. It was another perfect day on the Wank, which is topped off with an ice cream in the Farchanter ice cream parlour.

Tips & info:

• Opening hours: Observe the operating and inspection times of Wank Railway. Opening times may differ on some days and the Wankbahn is often closed during off-season.
• parking: chargeable, minimum parking fee 5 euros
• Be aware of the weather conditions at the summit, be sure to bring warm clothes - live info here.
• Wankhaus: open all year round, check reservations/opening times: Tel. +49 (08821) 562 01
• Sonnenalm: Check reservations/opening hours: Tel. +49 (08821) 79 70
• Esterbergalm: Please note the opening times. Closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays!
• migrate: There are a lot of hikes On and around the Wank possible. If you want to reach the Wank summit on foot, you can take a hiking route by Farchant, via the Gschwandtnerbauer or from Partenkirchen via the middle station. The Hüttelsteig also leads from the middle station to Esterbergalm, where you can climb to the summit via the “Frauenmahd”. One Circumnavigating the Wank is also possible. The forest road to Esterbergalm is suitable for mountain biking, but very steep in some places.
• The Wank is also the starting point for paragliding flights. How about a Tandem flight?
  

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