I’ve put Garmisch-Partenkirchen on my itinerary for 5 days 4 nights because I loved Berner oberland ( wengen, murren, lauterbrunnen etc ) so much and read that GP is the equivalent on the German side. For people that have been to both, how similar are they? Would I be disappointed if I’m expecting it to be on par with BO?
Posted by
Oregon
2864 posts
It is very gorgeous. I especially loved Mittenwald. It’s more charming than the BO towns, IMO.
For spectacular mountains, I was even more impressed with the Dolomites. Every lift seems to bring you to a distinctly different view. The food is much better than Switzerland - a wonderful combination of Tyrolian and Italian influences. Prices are lower.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6547 posts
I think you would do both areas a disservice if you try to compare them, expecting one to be a clone of the other. They are not the same, they are different. One is not "better" than the other, but both are beautiful in their own right, with an abundance of things to see and do. Having grown up with the Rockies almost out my back door, I learned years ago not to compare one range of mountains with another, but just to appreciate what was in front of me.
But I agree about the food. I really enjoy traditional Bavarian food.
Posted by
OP
314 posts
Thank you both, yeah the food in Switzerland was meh and expensive.
For spectacular mountains, I was even more impressed with the Dolomites. Every lift seems to bring you to a distinctly different view
Just out of curiosity, how easy is it to do this without a car? I went last year with tour group but wasn’t really able to go up the mountain as it was closed for tour groups as they had an event. It was one of my regrets as I wanted to go up the mountains. If I had the chance I would probably do this myself but I don’t drive so wanted to understand how easy is it to get there by train or public transport.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
9577 posts
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is more developed in terms of infrastructure. It does have a pedestrian only area but nothing like a car free Murren. Both have bike/hike trails on the valley floor.
They do both have some similarities. Both have famous falls to hike through. Both have a valley floor with mountains raising above on either side. Many opportunities for taking lifts up to hike or explore. Both have famous mountains associated with them.
I agree that you are setting yourself up for failure if you expect them to be completely similar experiences. I like both of these areas for what they are. I had a great time in both of them.
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1534 posts
Just to the south or Garmish:
https://www.bergfex.at/ehrwald/webcams/c1447/
Posted by
106 posts
Unfortunately the Garmisch area lacks the glaciers/snow capped peaks that make the Berner Oberland so fascinating. The peaks are about 1,000 m higher also in the Berner Oberland (Jungfrau region) with comparable elevation of the villages in the valleys (Lauterbrunnen 800 m/Garmisch 700 m) which makes the scenery more dramatic.
Posted by
9237 posts
Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. I have stated in the Lauterbrunnen area as well as Garmisch.
I would go with Garmish easily, especially since the cost will be more in Switzerland.
Posted by
NYC area
3066 posts
Can’t compare the two areas. Totally different. Near GP I’d stay in Mittenwald. This is THE quintessential Post Card of a Bavarian village with an Alpine backdrop.
Posted by
West Michigan
465 posts
Yep, I'd second staying in Mittenwald. Wonderful town. We'll be back there in October. Have the wild game dinner at the Alpenrose.
Posted by
Paradise
7678 posts
Mittenwald has more charm and alpine appeal. But staying there will also lengthen the round-trip train/bus outings you might have in mind (to the Zugspitze, Oberammergau, Linderhof and other spots.) Any day trip that starts in M'wald and requires you to pass through G-P on your way will add 45-60 total minutes to your travel day to cover the 35 miles (x2 for the round trip) of track - or the road miles - between the two towns. The more outings you have, the more transit time.
Mittenwald is closer to the typical outings in Austria (Innsbruck, Seefeld, etc.) if that's where your day trips will take you.
Posted by
288 posts
And, while mittenwald is a tourist town I think but for the odd river cruise excursion, it's more for those native to the region. We were some of the very few I could identify as north American tourists.
Posted by
OP
314 posts
Thank you all. I was planning to stay in Garmish and use that as a base. Given so many recommendations on Mittenwald, I'm thinking maybe on the way out, i should stay a night there.
This is my plan at the moment, would love some feedback if anyone has any.
Day 1 (half day)
• Garmish - old town
• Alpspitze
• Ruins of Werdenfels castle for viewpoint
• Lake view at Pflegersee
Day 2
• Hike down to Hammersbacher Fußweg
• Walk all the way to Ebisee
• Take bus to Grainau. See church
• Zugspitze
Day 3
• Mittenwald
• Walchensee if time?
Day 4
• Partenkirchen old town. Ludwigstraße
• Wank Mountain
• Wagenbrüchsee (bus 9608 or 9618?) and Barnmsee
Day 5
• Ski jump
• Partnachklamm Gorge
• Lunch at Kaiserschmarrn Alm