Garmisch-Partinkerchen ideas

In all my travels one of the biggest disappointments was Ludwig’ s Castles. Skip,them.

Not sure how to determine what matters to you most. Personally... I'd prioritize Linderhof and all of Mittenwald, including the Karwendelbahn, since you are going there anyway. So I'll toss out a couple more considerations - one that I've done, one that I'm eager to do - sorry for adding to your trimming task...

Bavarian Evening, Fraundorfer Inn

Highline 179

As a way of condensing your choices, you can easily combine Linderhof and Ettal, with perhaps a side trip to Oberammergau (10 min drive from Ettal). That would still leave time for the Werdenfels ruins on the return drive. Up to you whether you would still want to do the Ehrenberg ruins on another day.

Side note Linderhof is, in fact, one of Ludwigs palaces. Definitely worth a visit IMO.

The summer Luge next to the ski stadium (Partnach Gorge) doesn’t take a lot of time since you are there anyway. I think you and your kids could have fun with a few trips down the course.

The walk around the Eibsee is always nice. The Wankbahn is underrated, but could be nice. Easy hikes on top. Parking in Mittenwald could be a problem. From Garmisch you can drive north to Oberau like going to the Linderhof, but keep going towards and past the Plansee. Maybe a stop there? Continue on to Reute. If you are ready for more nature take a walk around the Schwansee near Füssen. Distant views of both castles from there and away from the crowds.

Thank you all! Suki, you aren't the only one with that opinion and I do think we may cut the Fussen castles out. Seems out of the way and a crowded hassle, plus we got to see some beautiful castles last year along the Rhine, including Burg Eltz. Speaking of which, Russ! You were a huge help on planning that trip so I appreciate you ADDING even more to what I have ha! That said, I'd like to know more about the Karwendel. I'm choosing to leave out Zugspitze because the tickets seem really pricey and I'm already spending a bunch on cable cars in Dolomites. I like the Eibsee idea too, and was even considering renting E-Bikes to go there. Here's what I'm thinking so far...thoughts?

1. Arrival evening...explore GP
2. Day 1...Ehrenberg/Highline 179 in AM, picnic at Plansee otw to Linderhof tour, then wrap up with a stop at Ettal Abbey. Would love to fit in O'gau but don't want to push it
3. Day 2...Mid-AM 20 min train to Mittenwald...explore town & walk Leutasch Gorge. PM hike to Werdenfels (maybe just me and let family rest...castles, churches and ruins are my jam!)
4. Day 3...OPEN...possible day train to Munich, possible E-bike rental to Eibsee, and/or just stroll GP some more
5. Departure morning...Partnach Gorge/luge otw south to Dolomites

I think it's tricky to keep a tightly-woven day-to-day itinerary in this area as so much is weather-dependent. The river gorges close sometimes if things get too wet/dangerous. The views aren't up to snuff at the time you've scheduled your ascent... etc.

I'd like to know more about the Karwendel.

It's Germany's 2nd tallest Alb; it's a simple walk from the Mittenwald rail station in town to the Talstation (bottom of the lift,) and the route is marked. I think there's more walking around for the average individual from the Bergstation (top of the lift) than there is at the Zugspitze. This "Passamani Rundweg" is probably doable...

https://www.alpenwelt-karwendel.de/en/a-the-passamani-circular-hiking-trail-on-the-karwendel

https://lisa-unterwegs.de/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSCF1338.jpg

More details on the lift, restaurants, costs, etc.:
https://www.karwendelbahn.de/en/

Tripadvisor is a good source for reviews of the Karwendelbahn from visitors with more recent experience than mine:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187300-d1754677-r136275591-Karwendelbahn-Mittenwald_Upper_Bavaria_Bavaria.html#REVIEWS

Since you wanted to catch a view of Ludwig's "castle", then on your sort-of free day #4, you might think about a drive-by on a visit to Füssen rather than Munich. It's a nice town for exploring on foot. The "Hohes Schloß" is there too. Most visitors from abroad fail to even hear it mentioned amid all the noise over Neuschwanstein, but it costs a tiny fraction of the N'stein price to get inside and might be what you seek on a relaxed amble around town. Details:

https://www.fuessen.de/en/culture/castles-museums/high-castle/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187316-d5711664-Reviews-Hohes_Schloss-Fussen_Swabia_Bavaria.html

I'd make time for Oberammergau. Your kids will also enjoy this:

https://kolbensattel-im-sommer.de/

Pleasant riverside walk. The Alte Post is a good place to eat.

I second the alpine coaster in Oberammergau. My family did this a couple years ago and loved it. I think it's one of the longer ones in the area. Highly recommend Ammergauer Maxbräu for lunch.

“ Partnach Gorge...looks like a worthwhile and not too extreme hike to a natural wonder in the area”

We did the hike in December and it was an incredible experience. It was not difficult at all- flat. Where it was beautiful covered in ice I imagine it will still be striking in the summer. We took the bus to the Olympic Ski jump area and it’s an easy walk to the gorge.

It’s been a while since I’ve been there, but I remember that area really well and you’ve picked a great base. Mittenwald and the surrounding mountains are absolutely beautiful - perfect for a relaxed day of strolling, grabbing lunch, and just soaking in the scenery. It has a very charming, authentic feel that’s a nice contrast to some of the busier spots. Burgruine Ehrenberg is another highlight I’d highly recommend, especially with kids your age. The ruins are fun to explore, and the suspension bridge adds a bit of adventure without being too intense. It’s one of those places that feels like a real experience rather than just a sightseeing stop.

Hello,
Will add to those saying the Partnach Gorge was worth it. My whole family loved it (kids 12/8 at the time). We also really liked the luge and coasters in the area. We also enjoyed Munich as well.

We were actually staying in Munich and day tripping by car to Garmisch-Partinkerchen. Our trip to GP was so great, we decided to head back to the mountains another day to check out Fussen. We knew enough to not bother touring the castle, but couldn't even park just to hike to the view point. We looked up at the bridge and just saw giant crowds of people waiting for their turn to snap a photo. We all agreed to just get back in the car and tour around elsewhere...I do think you can trust your gut, and have a much better time avoiding the area altogether.

Cheers,

I really appreciate all the suggestions...love this forum! Chris that is really helpful and I agree...I think we're going to leave out the Fussen castle area. I brought up Burg Eltz earlier because I'll never forget walking through that forest at 8am with NO ONE around and coming up on that insanely beautiful castle and getting to bask in it in peace. I don't expect that every time but definitely Fussen area seems the exact opposite and I'm ok skipping. I have the same conundrum with Hallstatt on an earlier leg of this trip. We'll be 45 minutes from it but I've heard and read how overrun it gets and I am NOT interested in fighting that. But I've told my kids the early bird gets the worm and we've enjoyed some great sights and activities in quiet early AM hours, so I'll try that with Hallstatt and get there at 7am and be gone before the hordes descend! Anyhow, it sounds like Oberammergau and Partnam Gorge are stops to leave space for, and so we will try to do that.

Chris, did your kids like Munich?? I really am debating a one day train trip out there from GP because I know we'd be cheating a great city that deserves more time than that, BUT I think we could see some main sights in a day and get a taste of a big city. I also appreciate all the coaster suggestions as those are definitely on the radar! So many of them out there it's a little overwhelming to figure out which are best. The Kolbenstattel area looks great! And thanks Amarenare for confirming Mittenwald and Ehrenberg...those are definites on the list. I also saw there is the Leutasch Gorge in Mittenwald and of course the Karwendelbahn like Russ mentioned. If we don't end up doing the Munich day, I bet this is a great area to rent E-bikes and just take off!

Glad to save someone from my mistakes! Funnily enough, earlier in our trip we were the first ones at Burg Eltz as well, and can agree with how much better of an experience that was. Wasn't our favourite castle tour, but the reveal from the hike without crowds was magical.

And yes, my kids really liked Munich. I will say it was towards the end of a long trip, and we decided to forego a lot of the culture and art museums, so our Munich itinerary was pretty laid back. The Marienplatz area is small enough that you could definitely get a good feel for it in a day. We normally don't do the "free" tip only walking tours, but this one was recommended on this forum, and we really liked it for some great history and context for the city (https://heartofmunich.com/tours/free-tour/). We also enjoyed the Residenz...I think mainly because it was cool inside, and felt so nice to wander through relatively empty halls after being herded through Versailles earlier in the summer. Another highlight was The Nazi Documentation Centre. My kids were riveted by the kids' audio guide, and wouldn't leave until they had fully completed it.

With more time, a lazy afternoon or evening in the English Garten was another highlight for them, but i think our favourite part of Munich was the laid back beer garden culture and general vibes of the city. More than once my kids would find their own food stalls near the Viktualienmarkt, then bring their food into the beer garden, while my wife and I would get a beer and we'd finish with pretzels.

Sounds like you have a great plan. We would have happily spent more time in the Alps next time.

Cheers,