The heavy snowfall over the weekend was a nightmare for car drivers and rail passengers, but hikers and guests here in Werdenfelser Land saw the long-awaited winter break only positively!

Tour profile

Difficulty level: easy
Route length: approx. 6.5 km (total)
ascents: 250 hm
descents: 250 hm

12.00: With a little effort, we find a parking space at the Partenkirchen ski stadium and then march towards Partnachklamm with hundreds of other visitors. Today, the well-known Partenkirchen horn sled race held for the 50th time. The event, which began as a private bet 50 years ago, today attracts fans from a wide variety of countries and has itself grown into a highlight of local sports and cultural life. There is a festive atmosphere before the horn sled run, and today over 70 teams from all over Bavaria and even internationally take part in the race.

12.30: However, we want to benefit from the exceptional weather conditions — you rarely enjoy so much fresh snow all at once in such a beautiful place as the Partnach Gorge. In just 15 minutes, we reach the gorge entrance. Here we discover that the path across the Iron Bridge is blocked due to avalanches. Even in the gorge, snow slides down from everywhere. Sometimes you can't tell the difference between snow and the water flowing off the rocks. In this weather, the mountains are wonderfully beautiful, but also dangerous.

Compared to the event site at the Hornschlittenabfahrt, Partenkirchen's most highly rated tourist attraction is now surprisingly tourist-free. We can have the black rocks, the huge icicles and the soft snowflakes to ourselves today.

13.30: The Partnach Gorge was particularly impressive today and we are delighted to see some very nice pictures. Now we're hungry — but we still have to reach the hut. Die Kaiserschmarrn-Alm is widely known for its good Bavarian cuisine and, of course, for the special Kaiserschmarrn variations. We walk steeply up through the snow-covered mountain forest for a good half hour. We enjoy the winter magic to the fullest: we like to play snowball along the way and occasionally plunge into the virgin fresh snow. It snows endlessly!

14.00: Now it's time! At the hut, we hang our wet jackets to dry next to the tiled stove and order a hearty potato soup with sausage and, of course, Kaiserschmarrn — caramelized with almonds, jummy!

15.30: Time flies and the short winter day is drawing to a close. After we have left the alpine pasture, we decide to go down the Graseck cable car — for a particularly exciting end to our hiking day. The journey only takes a few minutes. The gondola travels slowly over the Partnach Gorge and the majestically snow-covered spruce treetops.

16:00: There is still a lot going on down the horn sled track. Now after the award ceremony, individual teams are taking pictures of the giant horn sled that is currently at the finish point. Some sledges must be transported to the ski stadium on foot. On the way, a “gas station” awaits participants and fans: the small Lenz'n Hut, where most people make a short stop and order a beer.

16:30: From the ski stadium, we drive to the town center of Partenkirchen. As part of the “Hüttenzauber” Christmas program this year, the historic Ludwigstraße offers not only the unique atmosphere but also “delicacies” on the church square, lots of music and outdoor cinema evenings. Here we end the day in a relaxed atmosphere with mulled wine and tarte flambée.

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