The Höllentalklamm in Garmisch: waterfalls and deep gorges

Opening hours and admission prices for the Höllentalklamm gorge

Opening hours

The opening hours of the gorge are highly dependent on the prevailing weather conditions. The season typically starts sometime in May and runs until the end of October. Since the gorge leads through three avalanche areas, visiting the gorge in winter is completely ruled out. Bridges and walkways are dismantled during this time. Snow depths of up to 70 meters have been measured here at times.

You can find the current opening information on the website of the Tourist Information in Grainau.

https://www.grainau.de/de/freizeit_erholung/natur_erleben/hoellentalklamm

Of course, the German Alpine Club also provides information about snow conditions and opening hours.

https://www.alpenverein-gapa.de

The entrance fees for the Höllentalklamm

DAV members:

Adults: 2,00 Euro
Children 7-17 years: 1,00 Euro
Children up to 6 years: free of charge

Non-members:

Adults: 5,00 Euro
Children 7-17 years: 2,00 Euro
Children up to 6 years: free of charge
Group ticket from 15 persons: 3,00 Euro

The entrance fee must be paid at the Höllentale entrance hut, only cash payment is possible.

Start a tour full of unforgettable impressions

Coming from Hammersbach, the ascent takes about 60 minutes on a 3 km footpath with a 300-meter elevation gain to reach the first refreshment stop: Höllentaleingangshütte, a small, serviced hut at the entrance of Höllentalklamm. Here you will be spoiled with selected daily delicacies and a large selection of cold and hot drinks. Also highly recommended are the homemade cakes there. Enjoy your break on the small terrace or in the cozy restaurant. This tour is also well suited for families, although the paths are not suitable for strollers. Visiting the Höllentalklamm Museum is also highly recommended.

Here’s the way to the Höllentaleingangshütte.

Now, start your tour through the gorge! Initially wide and spacious, the path quickly becomes narrow and rocky after just a few meters. Now, an extra path carved into the rock leads through tunnels and over footbridges. You cross the rushing gorge repeatedly via bridges, wooden walkways, and rocks—a natural spectacle that you won’t soon forget! Roaring waterfalls, wild streams, there’s a lot to discover here. The paths are secured with a railing on the side facing the stream, but it’s important not to let small children walk alone. Now steadily ascending, you’ll hike for about 45 minutes and cover 1 km through the gorge. You’ll frequently pass through cave passages where water can sometimes drip from the ceiling, so it’s definitely a good idea to have a rain jacket with you! The steps can be slippery at times, so make sure to watch your step and maintain sure footing!

The unique impressions from this diverse hike are best savored during a pleasant stop at the Höllentalangerhütte. After about 30 minutes of hiking from the end of the gorge, you reach the newly built restaurant at 1387 meters above sea level, which was completed in 2015. The perfect destination for a day trip! If you wish, you can also book an overnight stay. Please note that only cash payment is possible here.

You’re well catered for gastronomically, with options ranging from vegetarian to hearty Bavarian dishes. Sit back comfortably in the rustic hut or enjoy the sunshine on the large terrace.

Prices for accommodation and the applicable “hut rules” can be found on:

https://www.alpenverein-muenchen-oberland.de/huetten/alpenvereinshuetten/hoellentalangerhuette

The way back to Hammersbach

The return hike follows the same path as the outbound route. Alternatively, you can make it a circular route by following the signposted path to the “Stangensteig.” This trail runs above the gorge and offers a magnificent view! You should definitely be free from fear of heights here!

Here are some more hikes around Höllentalklamm

The most challenging hike through the Höllental ends at the Zugspitze. From the Höllentalangerhütte, you can tackle another 1600 meters of elevation gain in sometimes challenging terrain. You’ll be on the trail for about 6 hours; ice axe and crampons are certainly good companions to have. There’s also a via ferrata (klettersteig) to conquer along the way.

https://bergsteiger.de/touren/bergsteigen/durch-das-hoellental-auf-die-zugspitze

A slightly easier option here is the hike via Hupfleitenjoch to Kreuzeck. From Höllentalangerhütte, follow trail “831A” – the sign next to the hut indicates a two-hour hike to Kreuzeck. The trail is very good up to just below the Knappenhäuser (miners’ houses), after which it becomes somewhat rocky. Partially secured with ropes along the rock wall, the terrain slopes steeply or vertically downward to the left in places. You should definitely be sure-footed and free from fear of heights here!

https://www.auf-den-berg.de/wandern/bayern/durch-die-hoellentalklamm-zum-hupfleitenjoch/

Vacation apartments near the Höllentalklamm

For hikes around Garmisch-Partenkirchen, such as through the exciting Höllentalklamm, we recommend comfortable accommodation near the gorge. This way, you can start your hike through the Höllentalklamm directly from your well-rested vacation rental. Book one of our cozy vacation rentals online or contact our friendly staff through our booking hotline. We at Mahr’s Fewo-Vermittlung look forward to seeing you!