Grainau & Surrounding Area
Activities, Day Tours & Sights
The name "Village at the Zugspitze" suits Grainau perfectly. There is really no way to reside closer to the mountain. In addition to numerous skiing areas and hiking trails, the region features a vast number of sports highlights such as rock climbing, kayaking, canyoning, paragliding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing as well as historic sights and cultural events.
You don't necessarily need a car in Grainau. Transferring to skiing areas and going on day trips to the Eibsee or to Garmisch-Partenkirchen can easily be done via the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn. The train station is advantageously located only some hundred meters away from the Buchenhof. Biking is another great way to get around the area and to experience the beautiful scenery in the valley from all angles.
Zugspitze
Towering 2,962 meters above sea level, the Zugspitze is Germany's tallest mountain and part of an impressive mountain massif. Climbing this mountain gives you a sensation of limitless freedom and lets you feel a bit closer to the sky. You can also get to the top of the mountain via the Eibsee Seilbahn, a cable car up the Zugspitze, or with the historic rack railway, the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn. Other famous summits in this area include the Alpspitze and the Höllentorkopf.
Hiking & Mountaineering
The area around the Zugspitze offers an astounding variety of landforms. Why not go hiking on the well-kept trails of ravines such as the Höllenklamm or the Partnachklamm, walk around the beautiful Eibsee or climb the Jubiläumsgrat, the ridge between the Zugspitze to the Alpspitze. An unforgettable view is guaranteed on these tours.
Biking & Mountain Biking
Explore the mountains on your bike. Road cycling, mountain biking, a hybrid bike tour or enjoying the scenery on an e-bike: There are numerous well-kept bike trails of all kinds and difficulty levels close to Grainau and in the area around the Zugspitze. A special advantage for biking enthusiasts is the fact that you can transport your bike on regional trains and buses without further charge.
Lakes & Swimming Centers
In the summer, the nearby Eibsee, the Barmsee close to the village of Krün and the Staffelsee close to the the town of Murnau attract visitors with their crystal clear waters. All year, locals as well as those visiting the region can relax at the Zugspitzbad, the swimmingcenter in Grainau; the Alpspitz-Wellenbad or the Karwendelbad in Mittenwald as well as several other swimming centers and spas.
Skiing & Snowboarding
Grainau is the perfect starting point for winter sports: The glacier skiing area of the Zugspitze offers 20 kilometers (more than 12 miles) of well-groomed slopes and you can find another 40 kilometers (25 miles) of runs in the skiing area Garmisch Classic. Finding a parking space will also not be a problem, since you can ride the train from the Buchenhof straight to the skiing area.
Ski Tours
Enjoy valleys and slopes covered in deep powder snow without other people around. Ski tour enthusiasts will love our mountains. You can find great tours for beginners and intermediates at the Mauerschartenkopf and the Stuiben. Those looking for a challenge will find it at the Alpspitze. Even in winter, some mountain cottages are open to visitors. On your way up, you can look forward to food and drinks to regain your strength before the descent.
Castles & Culture
Explore the marvels of the Bavarian Alps historic past. A day trip to the Ettal Monastery, to Linderhof Castle, Neuschwanstein Castle or Hohenschwangau are all unforgettable experiences. For those interested in the traditional lifestyle of the region, we also recommend a visit to the open-air museum Glentleiten.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a treasure hunt out in the open. Equipped with a GPS device, you and your team walk secret paths to find hidden object in special places of the region. Geocaching is an exciting activity for the whole family to enjoy. It may even be the nicest way to playfully explore the area and its landmarks.
Arena-Express Bayern-Tirol
You can use the regional busses & trains without further charge. The train station is close to the hotel. From here you can easily reach the Classic skiing area and Garmisch-Patenkirchen. Feel free to bring your bike with you.
Paragliding
The mountains in the Garmisch and Grainau area are popular with paragliders in the summer as well as the winter months. The Alpspitze attracts experienced pilots and beginners alike, whereas the Zugspitze with its difficult starting point is only for those who have mastered the sport. If you want to sail the sky without any experience in paragliding, you can choose to do a tandem flight with an experienced pilot and admire the mountains from a bird's-eye view.
Golf
If you're a golf enthusiast, you don't have to neglect your favorite hobby when you're staying in Grainau. The Golfclub Karwendel in the close-by Wallgau has a well-kept 18-hole golf course of considerable size. The course blends seamlessly into its beautiful surroundings. The alpine landscape in the background is part of the experience.
