tcreath

We (2 couples) are flying into Munich next month and renting a car at the airport for our drive to Mittenwald. Our flight was originally set to land earlier in the afternoon, but after a few schedule changes we now won't be landing until around 5:00 pm. My husband and I have driven several times after a long overseas flight, so that part isn't really an issue. I'm just curious as to how easy it is to navigate our way into Mittenwald at night? I admit we aren't experienced mountain drivers. We've been to Bavaria several times, although not to Mittenwald, but we haven't driven much after dark. Anything to be concerned about?

Thanks!
Tracy

grrr

Driving from Germany to Mittenwald? Isn't Mittenwald in Germany too?

bardo1

Assuming you are driving from the Munich airport:

You'll be on a highway most of the way (until Garmisch-Partenkirchen) and only the last 10 miles will be "mountain roads".

Just drive at a speed that is comfortable for that last 10 miles. I often drive under the speed limit on mountain roads when visiting an unfamiliar area.

The locals will be patient and pass you when they can. There is very little traffic on the road from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Mittenwald. The whole trip from the airport is about 2 hours one way. The rental should have GPS.

Cowboy1968

Depends on when in April you will travel, but we'll switch to DST last weekend of March. So if you go around mid/end April, it won't get really dark until 8pm. Enough time to get there in daylight, at least for a good part of the trip.
If everything is on time at Munich airport, you can will hit the evening commute on the freeways around Munich (if you go on a working day), so don't expect to make the drive in just 2 hours if you start at the airport at around 6pm.
Those last 10 miles that bardo mentioned is more a wide 2-lane highway than a mountain road. So no narrow hairpin curves on steep edges. The road just climbs slowly to Mittenwald and that's it.

pja1

Hi Tracy,

There's really nothing to be concerned about. As others stated, it's a staightforward, mostly highway drive. The road from Garmisch to Mittnewald is not a "mountain road", but a regular, fairly level two-lane road. Nice scenery along it, but not to worry, you'll see the beautiful scenery the next day! Have a great stay! We LOVE Mittenwald. We stopped there this past November. Snow was falling, the village was decorated with Christmas lights, it was magical (as it is any time of the year IMO).


Try a "Mohr im Hemd" at the Der kleiner Kartoffelsack, which is in the pedestrian zone. We love this place. The owner is kind of "kooky", which made our coffee stops and dinners there a lot of fun.

www.derkartoffelsack.de/index.html

For Italian, we can recommend Da Mamma Lucia near the pedestrian zone.

www.mammalucia.de

Give a Radler beer a try. 50% beer and 50% lemon-lime soda. Sounds wierd enough, but it's terrific.

Paul

tcreath

Thank you all! Sounds like we may get in before dark afterall, which will be nice. But I'm glad to know there isn't anything to be worried about.

grrr, of course my title post was in error. I hate that there isn't an "edit" button. I was typing fast as my twins were starting to wake up from their nap. But if you read my post you would have easily read that I meant from Munich to Mittenwald as I explained it pretty well.

Paul, I was wondering if a Radler was any good. I've heard about them but never given one a try. Sounds intriguing! And thank you for the recommendation!!! We'll definitely look for it.

Thanks much! Guten nacht!
Tracy

logos999

If you set your GPS to shortest route instead of fastest, it may take you to the Kesselberg road (mine does), which is indeed a relativly small and winding road with quite a few hairpin bends, so stay on the Autobahn until it ends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl5RXA_svFM

tcreath

logos, good to know. We are bringing our GPS so I'm glad you pointed that out. Thanks!