There are so many beautiful hiking trails in Bavaria, and yet many people are drawn to the same old destinations. Anyone traveling in the Mittenwald area likes to take a trip to the Leutasch Gorge—only to find themselves among many other day-trippers there. If you’d rather get away from the crowds, you should visit the Finzbach Gorge near Krün instead. Even the trail leading there offers plenty to discover, and the gorge itself is no less impressive.
Past the boulder and the Bear Cave
The best place to start your hike is in Wallgau, near Krün. From the edge of the village, you’ll quickly reach your first stop: the big rock. This 50-metric-ton gneiss boulder found its way here during the glacial melt and is now a natural monument. Not far from here is the nature playground, where your children can run around to their heart’s content.
From here, it’s about one kilometer to the Bear Cave, where, according to folklore, a bear actually once lived . Here you’ll find another boulder, about one meter high. Right next to the cave, you’ll also discover a small waterfall that plunges into a little pool. Now just follow the path straight ahead to reach the Finzbachklamm.
The Finzbachklamm: A Natural Spectacle
As the name suggests, the Finzbach—a tributary of the Isar—flows through the Finzbach Gorge. At the entrance to the gorge, the stream is dammed by a weir used for power generation. Beyond the weir, the trail leads you about 500 meters deep into the Finzbach Gorge. Along the route, steep rock faces alternate with more open sections of forest. Beside you, the Finz shimmers in shades of green and turquoise as you wind your way through the gorge on paths and wooden walkways. Along the way, there are several overlooks where you can take in the view of the rugged rock faces, the trees, and the water at your leisure.
At some point, the trail comes to an end, as the Finzbachklamm has not yet been fully developed . Now you can decide whether you want to stop at one of the four nearby alpine huts in the Ester Mountains for a bite to eat, or whether you ’d like to continue hiking toward Barmsee. Here, you can round off your day of hiking with a dip in the cool water. If you’re in the mood for warm water instead, Geroldsee isn’t too far away either. There’s no admission fee to visit the Finzbachklamm , and it’s open year-round . However, during severe weather, it’s best to avoid it to be on the safe side.
