SEPTEMBER 4 - 8 - BAVARIAN ALPS (INCL MT WANK!), GERMANY

Join us for an Epic hiking trip in the majestic Bavarian Alps in southern Germany including hiking Mount Wank! ;)

See main trip link with other attendees here.

Cost - £449. Nights - 4. Accommodation: comfortable en-suite twin-share (or double) hotel-style rooms in a fabulous, modern hostel with sauna.

Let’s explore the beautiful scenery of the German Alps, where the lush meadows of the Bavarian countryside merge into rolling foothills which suddenly give way to jagged Alpine peaks. Fir-clad mountains, karst landscapes, shimmering lakes, lederhosen, and picture-book towns, the Bavarian Alps are what many think of as the epitome of Germany!

Our base will be the charming alpine resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, close to the border with Austria. Blessed with an idyllic setting with splendid mountain scenery on its doorstep, the town is traditional yet vibrant, with lots of restaurants and bars on offer.

This fantastic base offers us a variety of exhilarating walks with captivating scenery to choose from for our three full hiking days, from enchanting gorge hikes to dramatic ridge and peak climbs.

Suggested hikes:

• Mount Wank (1780m) and Esterbergalm: this peak offers one of the greatest panoramic views in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen region and the idyllic Esterbergalm alpine pasture hut and farm (1264m) dates back to the 1400s (19km, 1300m ascent/decent - for whom this is too much: there is an optional cable car to shorten the ascent/distance significantly to 14km, 300m ascent, 1250 descent).
• Partnachklamm Gorge, Wamberg and Berggasthof Eckbauer: a fabulous loop hike over alpine meadows, passing by a lovely tavern and finishing off by walking the spectacular Partnachklamm trail hewn into the rock through a splendid narrow river-filled gorge (700m long and 70m deep), along thunderous torrents of water and several waterfalls (15km, 550m ascent/descent). This hike can also be shortened significantly for anyone preferring to take the cable car up.
• Grünkopf, Kransberg and Ederkanzel (refreshing lake swim possible!): This spectacular hike from the pretty nearby town of Mittenwald (short train ride away) offers spectacular panoramic views of the Karwendel and Wetterstein mountain ranges. After a short chairlift ride (approx 8EUR) this hike takes us over multiple peaks and passes by two picturesque lakes where the brave can take a swim (13.5km, 740m ascent/980m descent).

Please note any hikes are subject to change based on weather and other factors.

There are many other wonderful hikes in the area including an easy loop around the pretty Lake Eibsee (7km, 230m ascent/decsent), often lauded as the most beautiful lake in Germany with its mountainous backdrop and emerald-green waters (easily done self guided on a rest day), and numerous valley hikes.

From Lake Eibsee (which can be reached by train in 40 min) it is also possible to take the cable car up to the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain at 2962m (75EUR cable car return ticket), easily done as an optional activity if anyone would like to take a rest day.

ACCOMMODATION:

Our accommodation will be in comfortable en-suite twin share rooms in a lovely modern hostel with sauna and fitness room in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, conveniently located right next to the train station. Breakfast will be included each day.

DIFFICULTY:

Hikes on this trip will be moderate to challenging. This trip does not involve technical mountaineering but hikes can be challenging at times due to the length/ascent/descent and rocky terrain so you will need to have a good level of hiking fitness and a head for heights in the mountainous terrain.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

• 4 nights en-suite twin-share (or double) rooms
• 4 breakfasts
• An itinerary of 3 days of hiking
• Epic Adventure Club trip leader
• Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 1992

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:

• Lunches/dinners - we can sample the hearty local Bavarian cuisine for dinners and lunch where possible (or buy packed lunches)
• Flights and airport transfers (see details below)
• DJH (German Youth Hostel Association) or HI (Hostelling International) membership required. Membership fee for international guests is EUR 3,50 per person per night, to be paid at reception on arrival.
• Public transport/cable car/chair lift/entrance fees (hike dependent)
• Travel insurance

FLIGHTS & AIRPORT TRANSPORT:

Return flights from London to Munich currently priced from just £116!

There are numerous convenient flights to Munich from London Heathrow/Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester with British Airways, Lufthansa and Easyjet. Please use Skyscanner to find the most suitable flights for you.

From Munich Airport, it is very easy to reach Garmisch-Partenkirchen by public transport (about a 2 hour journey). A direct Flixbus service goes every two hours between Munich airport and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (from £12 one way). It is also easy to catch a train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, changing at Munich central station.

Please make sure to check the Flixbus, Deutsche Banh website and/or Google Maps for bus/train timings to ensure there are suitable public transport connections for your flights.

It is also possible to fly to Innsbruck airport and reach Garmisch-Partenkirchen from there by bus and train (1hr 40min), however there is only a direct flight (EasyJet from Gatwick) for the outbound (though there is a return flight on the Tuesday).

Feel free to contact me if you need any help finding suitable flights/ airport transfers!

HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THIS TRIP:

To confirm your place on this trip please send payment through online banking and use BAVARIA as your payment reference. Your RSVP is not enough to reserve a space on this trip. The account details are:

Account Name: EPIC ADVENTURE CLUB LTD
Sort Code: 08-92-50
Account Number: 63235003

Please email ingridhansen1@gmail.com as soon as you send payment so that we can confirm everything with you. Thanks! :)