The admission fee to Hell Valley Gorge, (Höllentalklamm in German)located in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a mountain resort town in the German Alps is simply the best €3 I have ever spent. Visitors pay a €3 entry fee, either at the beginning or the end (depending which way you enter Hell Valley Gorge) and are treated to bridges, dimly lit tunnels and catwalks following the raging water and waterfalls through the 1000m long narrow gorge. Don’t forget to look up, way up, the gorge is up to 150m in places, but watch your step, all that water makes for a slippery path.
We entered Hell Valley Gorge from the opposite side(the long way around), and turned it into a 15km hike, our idea of a fun Sunday. This is right before the entrance (in reverse direction) and I thought “This is really pretty.” but I wasn’t blown away. That would come later:
Soon we entered a dimly lit cave, one of many as it would turn out. We also quickly found out that caves located in gorges leak, so wear a waterproof jacket if you don’t want to get wet.
Sometimes you had the option of choosing between the path that hovered over the raging water or the tunnel. I always chose the path. J.P. (my German husband) always chose the tunnel.
Being so close to the roaring water was deafening. You couldn’t hear unless you were standing right beside somebody. Several times other hikers creeped up on me as I was taking a photo and I only noticed after I saw that they had passed me. Combined with a slippery path, all my senses were on full alert. I felt alive. I was loving it! In a matter of minutes, Hell Valley Gorge has become one of my favorite holidays, and it was just a day trip from Munich!
It was such a contrast of senses, rushing violent water with serene greys and blues, that reminded me of a spa. I felt both exhilarated and relaxed at the same time. The colors had such an impact on me that I’ve decided to redecorate my bathroom in the relaxing color schemes of Hell Valley Gorge and to remind me of this fascinating place every time I walk into my bathroom.
What’s really remarkable is that every year the Hell Valley Gorge trails are maintained and repaired by members of the Munich Alpine Club, who keep the admission cost down by volunteering their time and to who I say a huge “thank you”.
What’s the best €3 you’ve ever spent?
Hell Valley Gorge is located in the village of Grainau at the foot of the Zugspite, Germany’s highest mountain. Alternatively you can get there from Garmisch-Partenkirchen if you are looking for a longer hike (to be described in an upcoming blog post). I’ve also named Hell Valley Gorge as the Best Local Destination in Germany as part of my Best of Travel 2011.
This post has been submitted to Holes in My Soles Magnificent Monday: Water.
I'm Laurel, a former Program Director from Canada now living in Munich, Germany. I love traveling, diving, and hiking. I'm also an animal enthusiast with a special affinity for monkeys, cats and sharks.
Ahhh, so nice! I’d love to do this … another place in Germany to add to the list.
Cheryl Howard recently posted..Street Art In Cologne’s Belgian Quarter.
@Cheryl – Would highly recommend it if you’re in the Munich/Alps area. It’s been my favorite day trip from Munich so far.
That’s an amazing value for such a great experience! I’m with you — I’d opt for the paths over the tunnels, too. Great pics!
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Washington Undercover
@Cathy – Honesty I would have paid a lot more than €3 for it, but certainly wasn’t complaining. You definitely saw more by choosing the paths over the tunnels. I took over 100 photos, so it was hard to decide
That’s beautiful! 3 euros well spend as I love hiking and exploring caves and outdoor places like this. Reminds me of a place I visited in Switzerland. Funny how some choose the safe path and others the more dangerous! Just don’t try that in Yosemite!
You will have to share what the bathroom looks like once you redecorate.
Jeremy Branham recently posted..The College Football Travel Tour hits the road
We have a similar gorge in my hometown, only on a smaller scale, and you walk in the water, hopping between rocks. Hoellental looks very cool! Next time in Munich, definitely!
Sophie recently posted..Murder and Mayhem in London through the Ages – Part 1: The Bridges
@Jeremy – Me too, can’t think of a better way to spend my money. Interesting that my husband chose the safe way and left me to my own devices on the really slippery way – guess he’s confident in my hiking abilities
. Will share the bathroom photos for sure.
@Sophie – Sounds lovely as well. I love gorges.
That looks so fun — and cold brrr. Living in a desert, we do NOT have anything similar, like Sophie does.
Abby recently posted..First taste of winter in Canada
@Abby – It was so fun, but not as cold as it looks, although we did get wet, but you do have access to Cirque d’Soleil every night, of which I’m incredibly jealous
I’d never heard of that Laurel until your article.
15KM walk/hike must have been a real joy.
Good pics too!
Thanks for sharing.
John D. Wilson
John D. Wilson recently posted..Want to stick it to the man? Drop out and take a permanent holiday!
just gorgeous no pun intended. would be something to see in person . how the fishing?
That’s 3 euros well spent indeed! What a wonderful location! Love how you’re inspired by the colors and decided to “bring it home” by decorating your bathroom in the same color scheme!
Shirlene from Idelish recently posted..{USA} Surfing with Goofy Foot Surf School in Maui
Absolutely fabulous. This is the kind of hiking even I enjoy. Wild, wild nature, waterfalls, tunnels, you can’t ask for me.
inka recently posted..Orient Express Museum – a tiny piece of nostalgia in Istanbul
Wow, I only know Garmisch-Partenkirchen from the ski-hop competition that monopolize our television screens on New Year’s Day. This is so much more interesting – and a little daring.
That’s the second time I’ve seen something in Garmisch area this week. There’s one more to add to my ever-expanding list of places I want to go, although I think I should get back in shape. 15km is a bit of a hike lol.
I’m jotting this down for the next time I’m in the area! How have I missed this? Beautiful, simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Debbie Beardsley recently posted..Cities that leave you Bleh!
OK, maybe I went here 10 years ago, but I can’t remember paying for it. Now you’ve got me curious. I live an hour away from this and I don’t think I’ve been here. I’m getting out my list and writing it down. I’m going to hell, dammit.
That looks awesome!
As a backpacker I admit I always try to look for free places but sometimes it really worth it to splurge. And at 3 Eu, that’s hardly splurging, it’s a great deal!
I can spend hours looking at water, especially waves and waterfalls. I would have loved this place!
Zhu recently posted..Occupy Ottawa
how gorgeous!!! i just flew threw germany, wishing i had a couple of days to spend there!! reading this *really* makes me wish that I had a few days to spend there!
jenjenk recently posted..Nashville, TN: Not Just a Country Capital, but a Creative Cocktail Scene
That looks so fun! I love tunnels as long as I don’t have to crawl through them.
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler recently posted..Should You Rent Camping/Backpacking Gear for a Trip?
This looks fantastic! And must have been noisy?
robin recently posted..Las Nubes
OMG- this looks amazing! and so cheap!
jade recently posted..6 Tips to Avoid Sea Sickness
Looks like a great experience. My kind of adventure. Thanks for sharing. Fast water running underground is a sensory extravaganza. Nakimu Caves at Rogers Pass is another example.
Barry recently posted..Gaylor Lakes – Yosemite – Hiking California
This looks awesome! I’d definitely be up for spending 3 Euros to go too!
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..Photo Essay: Bridges of the World
I have always wanted to explore the Garmish area. This looks like a great place to start.
Thanks for your comments everyone. I can’t recommend Hell Valley Gorge (Hoellentalklamm) enough. Robin – it was incredibly noisy (in a good way) and I’m not sure about the fishing John.