Thanks to Bavaria’s mountainous landscape, the area around Munich offers not only plenty of peaks to climb but also a number of gorges to hike through. The best known is, of course, the Partnachklamm, which attracts numerous tourists from all over the world. If the crowds tend to put you off, however, there are also numerous lesser-known gorges you can visit instead. The Gießenbachklamm gorge near Kiefersfelden is considered one such hidden gem and is the ideal destination for families on hot days.
Powerful water
The Gießenbach Gorge is divided into three sections: the front, middle, and rear Gießenbach Gorge. Your hike begins in the south at Bavaria’s largest waterwheel, which has a diameter of seven meters and is a highlight in its own right even before you enter the gorge. The massive wooden wheel tirelessly churns through the water and is part of the hydroelectric power plant, from where you ’ll climb the 190 steps to the front Gießenbachklamm. From here, you’ll make your way through the narrow gorge, with the Gießenbach stream—which gives the gorge its name—rushing along about 60 meters below you.
Above the gorge is a reservoir, from which part of the Gießenbach is channeled through the 600-meter-long gorge . From there, it flows to the Gießenbach hydroelectric power plant, which you passed before entering the gorge. The front section is about 350 meters long and features small trickles of water running down mossy, rugged rocks that drop steeply toward the water below you. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of the rock formations and the wild stream below you. At the end, you’ll reach the dam and the lake before stopping for a break at the Schopperalm. Unfortunately, you cannot enter the middle and rear sections of the Gießenbach Gorge.
With the family through the Gießenbachklamm
At the Schopperalm, you’ll find not only Alpine cuisine but also a playground where your children can let off steam. There’s also a small petting zoo with goats you can say hello to . In general, the hike through the Gießenbachklamm is considered particularly family-friendly. It’s relatively easy to manage, and the entire loop offers plenty of variety for the little ones. The Tojerhof, Bavaria’s oldest Breg farm, is also not too far away. The Gießenbachklamm is also part of the Energy Hiking Trail, where you’ll pass additional power plants and which is suitable for longer hikes.
