garmiisch hiking

The two gorges are nice, but Partnachklamm was so short we did it several times, in laps, to get enough exercise. Hoellentallerklamm is longer and more interesting, and you can continue to a hut past the end of it. The path across the face of the Alpspitze is fantastic! I recommend it highly. It is classified as a Klettersteig but only because there is a bit of bouldering right at the beginning, and ladders at the end. The rest is an easy path carved in the rock across the face of the peak. There is a new viewing platform up there somewhere. It looks pretty amazing (and crowded). http://www.360cities.net/image/alpspix-platform-oberbayern#29.03,14.20,70.0

I stayed at the Edelwiess Lodge while attending a conference in Garmish a couple of years ago. Its a nice hotel, but it felt a little bit like staying at an airport Marriott. I believe it is normally restricted to active duty military and retirees. I don't have it handy, but I recall that the Frommer's Munich guide that I used on my trip covered Garmish. You might check that for lodging ideas.

I love the Fraundorfer. The rooms facing the street give you a fantastic view of the Zugspitze. If you're up for an all-day hike, head south and ascend to Königshaus am Schachen, which is Ludwig II's Persian-themed mountain chalet. You can only reach it on foot.

I JUST suggested this place to someone else here a few days ago: Landhaus Hohe Tanen:
http://www.hohe-tannen.de/ It was a real find. Homey, small, super clean, comfortable. In a quiet neighborhood, but a VERY easy walk to center of Garmisch and to Zugspitze cog wheel train. Owners of this place couldn't be nicer/more accomodating. Great bfast each AM, too, and was very reasonbly priced. I guarantee you won't be disappointed if you stay here. Good luck w/ your travel planning, from 1 New Yorker to another!

Great responses! Thank you everyone! Landhaus looks great. I Am trying to read through the hiking material and find one that is challenging but not too challenging for us. Is there a benefit in staying outside of Gramisch? A family friend recommended Grainau to get away from the "city" of GP? Any recommendations on the luge or other activities?
Thanks!!

Just south of Garmisch and across the border into Austria are two small villages. Ehrwald and Lermoos are in the Zugspitze valley/arena. There are lifts that will take you up into the mountains to enable you to hike around and down the mountain. Since these towns are on the other side of the Zugspitze, you can take the gondola up to this famous peak. There are a lot of B&B's in these towns. We have several favorites. If you want their names, PM me. In the small town of Bieberwier, there is a great luge ride. One of my son's favorites. This area is definitely more quaint and smaller than GP.