When we go to Germany this fall, I hope to do several hikes in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area as well as near the castles in Fussen. My husband and I hike in Colorado most summers and are in good shape, so endurance is not usually an issue. However, I have managed to get myself into places, especially in Colorado and to some degree in the Cinque Terre, where the trails had sharp drop-offs and were not protected by any railing. Have any of you hiked in Germany enough to know if trails will be marked for level of difficulty? Are the trails well-marked so that the risk of getting lost is minimal? I don't handle sheer drop-offs well. Thanks for your info. PJK

Hi PJK---I have done a number of hikes around Garmisch-Partenkirchen. I don't recall any kind of marking or rating system; although I have read that certain trails are marked "Nur fur Geubte" (only for experienced) I haven't seen such a sign. You can generally find this information in guidebooks, however. A good one is "Walking in the Bavarian Alps", a Cicerone guide.

I too am uncomfortable with exposure, but all the trails around Garmisch that I can think of are protected by cables or railings where needed. A hike I have done but would NOT recommend to someone with fear of drop-offs would be the one across the face of the Alpspitze, from the top of the Osterfelderkopf lift.

On the other hand, there is also a pleasant hike to the top of Wank, another mountain that rises over the valley. Or you can take a lift to the top from town, and hike any of several loops over rambling terrain back to the lift, or hike back down. There are a couple of huts where you can stop for lunch or enjoy lunch with a view from the deck at the top liftstation. My guidebook rates these hikes around Wank as a "1"---clearly marked, with no dangerous stretches.

There are also two gorge hikes, the Partnachklamm and Höllentallerklamm, which take you through a gorge on trails carved into the rock, and wlakways on planks, sometimes suspended over the raging river. These are sturdily build and well-protected, and we didn't feel esposed there. You might give one of these a try. Partnachklamm is a bit easier but more "touristy".

Information on hikes can be found on the web, or obtained at the tourist information office. YOu can also get a hiking map there, which I would recommend.

Just beware of Bruno the bear!

Thanks, enzian, for the detailed info. And altamiro, I know all about Bruno. One of his relatives and I became well acquainted in Winter Park, CO last year. He came to see us in the middle of the night several nights. Kidding aside, are bears an issue in the mountains of Germany? Sorry if that is a stupid question. Having a bear around repeatedly last year did make me much more aware and leary of sounds in the forrest. PJK

I googled "bears in Germany" and found the story of Bruno. I am surprised that he is the first wild bear to be seen in Germany since the 1800's. Guess I answered my own question. Bears are evidently not an issue there. PJK

PJK---if you are staying in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, be sure to save room after dinner for Spaghetti-Eis at the Dolomiti Eis Cafe (on a side street just off the pedestrian zone). Assuming you like ice cream, of course!