The softer side of Garmisch

By Chelsea Bissell, U.S. Army Bavaria Garrison Public AffairsSeptember 23, 2014

Downtown beauty
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Eibsee Lake
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Mary in Partnach
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Alpine hills
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GARMISCH-PARTNENKIRCHEN, Germany -- One of the first things you'll notice when disembarking in Garmisch-Partenkirchen are the outdoorsmen.

Patagonia and Deuter-clad adventurers flock to the town year-round to scale mountains and ski down them; to paddle stretches of the Partnach and Loisach rivers; and to bike forested trails in southern Bavaria.

But, there's a softer side of Garmsich-Partenkirchen, one that doesn't involve bags of gear and sore muscles, but rather comfort and ease.

Relaxation vacation

With so many athletes attracted to the area, the large amount of massage salons in Garmisch-Partenkirchen makes sense. Patrons here can choose between a traditional deep-kneading Swedish massage and a Thai massage.

A Thai massage, for neophytes, combines stretching, massaging and applied pressure to create an experience more relaxed than its Swedish counterpart.

At Bulan Spa, customers are led to a raised platform where soft pallets are separated by canopies. Once the client disrobes, the message therapist drapes them with warm towels and then gently (or not) works the body from feet to head.

If a massage alone doesn't cut it, go for a soak the Alpspitz-Wellenbad, the local swimming pool and spa on the Partenkirchen side of town. Head to the sauna area of the complex to sweat out your impurities in the steam room, lounge in the whirlpool or brave a frigid dip in the plunge pool. When taking a break, sate your thirst at the bar with coffee or beer. Remember, this whole area is sans-swimsuit.

You can also hit the pool. Youngsters can splash around the kiddie pool or slip down the water slides. There's also a lap pool, steamy whirlpool and diving board to keep the family occupied.

Eating well

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is dominated by Bavarian restaurants. A local favorite for the music and atmosphere is Zirbelstub'n, in the Garmisch pedestrian area. Their menu has traditional fare -- Munich-brewed beer, schnitzel, cordon bleu -- but also goes its own way with enchiladas, curry and chicken wings. Zirbel's turns more into a bar the later it gets, so to enjoy a quiet meal, arrive early.

If you crave a break from Bavarian, Bollywood is a favorite for Indian food and Vaun, continental and Asian-fusion, is well-loved, but a little pricey. Good Italian can be found in Partenkirchen at Pizzeria Renzo. The extensive menu covers pasta, salads, steaks, seafood, appetizers, wines and, of course, pizza. But, quality wasn't sacrificed for quantity; the food was authentic and delicious.

A walk in the woods

Even if leisure is your goal, everyone who lands in Garmisch-Partenkirchen should enjoy its natural charms.

Take an easy stroll around the Eibsee, a picturesque lake 12-kilometers southwest of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. If the urge strikes, rent a paddleboat for a few euros and scoot across the water to get a 360 degree view.

The Eibsee Cable Car, which takes visitors to the top of the famous Zugspitze, shares a parking lot with the lake. The view from the top of Germany's highest mountain promises to wow those able to handle the height.

Arguably, the most stunning outing is the Partnachklamm, or Partnach Gorge. Vertical rock walls rise over the Partnach River with waterfalls cascading down the sides. Visitors walk along the river through a carved out section of the wall, occasionally passing through tunnels and getting splashed by tumbling water.

One end of the gorge to the other is a very scenic, but technically easy 30-minute walk. At the end of the gorge, hikers can chose to continue into the mountains or head back either by retracing their steps through the gorge, or via a harder route.

The latter option starts off rough with steep ascending switchbacks for 15-20 minutes at a steady pace. At the top of the trail is a restaurant where you can rest your weary legs, before descending, through rolling hills and sheep farms, back to the beginning.

To get to the Partnach Gorge, park at the Olympic Stadium and walk 20 minutes to the ticket booth. Entry to the gorge during open hours is 3.50 euros for adults and 2 euros for kids. During off-hours, enter at your own risk. For more on the Partnach Gorge, visit the Garmisch-Partenkirchen tourism site at http://www.gapa.de/Garmisch-Partenkirchen_Sights_Partnach_Gorge.

For more on visiting Garmisch-Partenkirchen, head here http://www.gapa.de/

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