The Zugspitze Circuit Self Guided 4 Days

Today you leave Garmisch-Partenkirchen, walking through the town before joining the riverside trail towards Partnachklamm Gorge. The gorge is super impressive, with tunnels carved through the rock and the Partnach River rushing below. It's relatively short, taking around 15 minutes to walk through.

After leaving the gorge, the trail climbs towards Kaiserschmarrn-Alm, before continuing on towards Elmau. This section follows a wide gravel track through the forest and some small farms. From Elmau the trail follows the river leading on towards Lake Ferchensee, where the clear water reflects the surrounding peaks. Another 25 minutes takes you to Lake Lautersee, an excellent place to stop for a swim and a well-earned break. There are boats available to hire, as well as a beer garden and restaurant if you want to spend some time by the water.

From the lake, it's the final stretch to Mittenwald, following riverside paths and passing Lainbach Waterfall before arriving in the town. Mittenwald is known for its painted buildings, cobbled streets and long tradition of violin making, with a museum dedicated to the craft in the town centre.

Approximate time and distances:

19km / 500m up / 300m down / 5 hours trekking

12miles / 1600ft up / 1000ft down / 5 hours trekking

Leaving the cute town of Mittenwald, today's trail quickly crosses the border into Austria and heads towards the Leutascher Geisterklamm Gorge. A short but steep climb brings you onto elevated steel walkways that cling to the rock walls above the turquoise gorge, offering impressive views of the river and waterfalls below.

After leaving the gorge, you'll arrive at Klammstüberl Restaurant, a great place to stop for a coffee or a bite to eat before continuing. The trail then crosses the bridge and follows a narrow forest path before rejoining a wider gravel track leading into the Leutasch Valley.

After crossing the road near Gasthaus Brücke, a good lunch stop, the route follows the Leutascher Ache River through the valley, with the Wetterstein Massif providing a constant backdrop. You'll continue along the riverside trail all the way to a peaceful village in the Leutasch Valley where you'll spend the night.

Approximate time and distances:

18km / 300m up / 100m down / 5 hours trekking

11miles / 1000ft up / 300ft down / 5 hours trekking

Setting out today, you'll wander past the small settlements continuing on the same river path as yesterday. From there the path begins a gradual climb alongside the Leutascher Ache, a broad valley beneath the rugged Wetterstein range.

Turning off the river path, you follow a higher trail. As you gain altitude, the landscape grows wilder passing dairy farms, cattle and some of the trails leading high into the Zugspitze.

Behind you, sweeping views of the Leutasch Valley unfold with each step. Eventually the trail brings you into the scenic Gaistal Valley. Here you’ll pass by the working farms of Gaistalalm and then shortly after Tillfussalm which both offer food and refreshments.

From here you drop back onto the lower river trail for a short stretch before starting the climb up towards Ehrwalder Almbahn. There is also the option to make a short detour to Hocherfeldern Alm before descneding down to the ski resort above Erhwald town.

This stretch of the valley is home to Haflinger horses, brown and grey cattle, and Scottish Galloway cattle grazing the pastures. From here you can either walk down to the village or Erhwald or skip the descent by taking the Brent Alm gondola. From there, the route follows the Gaisbach stream down into Ehrwald, where you'll spend the night.

Approximate time and distances:

20km / 600m up / 700m down / 5 hours trekking

12miles / 2000ft up / 2300ft down / 5 hours trekking

The route leads up and out of the town before turning toward the forest, where the climb begins, first through woodland, then over open slopes that double as ski pistes come winter.

The ascent continues up to the Speicherteich Gamskar, a quiet mountain reservoir with a small mountain resturant next to it Gamsalm Ehrwald. From here you will drop down before starting to climb up again towards the Hochthorle Hutte a perfect stop for a rest.

From the Hutte heading down gradually at first and then steeper, the scenery shifts repeatedly, from bare, rocky terrain to soft forest trail, until the brilliant turquoise of Eibsee comes into view, often ranked among the most beautiful lakes in the Alps. Sitting directly beneath the Zugspitze, its untouched shoreline makes for a spectacular end to the day.

From here you take the train into Garmish, greeted by its painted house fronts, inviting cafés, and the dramatic mountain backdrop that's accompanied you the whole way marking the end of the journey.

Approximate time and distances:

18km / 700m up / 700m down / 5 hours trekking

11miles / 2300ft up / 2300ft down / 5 hours trekking