The weather forecast called for a Sunny Easter Sunday so I decided it was high time I checked out the Alps. Google yielded plenty of hikes accessible by train, I decided on a Mountain called Wank outside the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen since both the hike and the train ride were of reasonable length. Plus the town looked to have plenty of options if I couldn't find the right trail. The train started out through the green rolling hills in the immediate vicinity of Munich.
After about 45 minutes the train entered the foothills and the scenery became more dramatic.
The train was fairly full though I had a row to myself. Plenty of other people in hiking gear taking advantage of the nice weather. To avoid the crowds I booked it away from the train station in what I was fairly certain was the correct direction. Once I had gotten a few blocks away I started to take pictures and appreciate the alpine village.
I had indeed gone the correct direction from the train station, in this case east into the Partenkirchen side of town which has the more historic feel.
It did not take too long for the roads to turn to trail and the real hiking to begin. The first section was steep stairs but immediately paid off with views back into town.
The trails were quite well marked with some signs even including time estimates so any worries of getting lost quickly dissipated.
Maybe a third of the way up I arrived at a meadow with a hut, plenty of benches, and an excellent view. I stopped to eat the apple I'd brought and watch the people go by. This certainly was not solitude hiking as even on the trail there was almost always someone else in view.
After the snack I continued onwards and upwards. Eventually I reached the elevation where the snow was able to stick around in the shade. I'd brought my microspikes but the snow was soft enough that just hiking poles were sufficient.
The mountain does have a cable car which wasn't running due to covid.
After about two hours of hiking I reached the summit which was still mostly covered in snow.
It's apparently a popular spot for paragliders.
Apparently a Cross is a common summit marker and given the 4day Easter weekend it seemed appropriate.
There was a hut at just below the summit selling beer and fries but I opted for water and a probar for lunch before heading back down hill.
I passed this alternative lunch spot on the way down.
I took the same route down reaching the large meadow in about half the time it had taken me to go up. I didn't see anyone using this water trough but I imagine its a lifesaver in the summer.
I'd noticed this hat and pair of shoes on the way up and so I was surprised to see them on my way back down. Seems like shoes would be hard to forget.
On the way down there was another hut selling snacks and drinks. Given my meager lunch I stopped for a snack. In this case a Bretzel and
Landjäger which was like a better summer sausage with a pleasant snap when bitten into.
Naturally a Bavarian post hike snack wouldn't be complete without a beer.
I took a more circuitous route back to the train station which included this bridge, sponsored by the same brewery whose name was on my beer glass (the beer itself was from a more local brewery).
The trail continued to be well signed, so I opted to follow the aptly named Sunna Weg down.
Even this close to town the views continued to be great.
The trail ended in a bit more of a residential area so I had a chance to appreciate the classic Alpine architecture. I'm a big fan of the wooden balconies.
Obviously it gets cold in the winter given the wood stocked up outside many houses.
The road parallels a small creek which is mostly confined to a canal with bridges to the houses on the other side. One of these bridges has this plaque which translated refers to the last plague death in 1634. They still ring the church bells on Sunday to commemorate. I doubt there will be a singular event to commemorate the end of the current plague, but if humanity is still around in 386 years who knows?
Eventually I made my way back to the main part of town and bid a fond farewell to my first hike in the German Alps.
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