Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany Summary

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, some 19km south of Oberammergau by road, is the most famous resort in the German Alps, partly because it’s at the foot of the highest mountain – the Zugspitze – and partly because it hosted the fourth Winter Olympics back in 1936. Its location is marvellous, lying between the gentle Ammer mountains and the imposing peaks of the Wetterstein chain which form the frontier with Austria. During the winter months Garmisch is one of the foremost skiing bases, and it has excellent facilities for skating and other winter sports too. In summer, mountaineers and hiking enthusiasts come to explore the craggy heights, while there are cable cars for the less energetic.