Before we had children, we lived in Munich for three years. Because this city is conveniently close to the German Alps, we often went hiking in the mountains. We think it is important to also go on beautiful mountain hikes with our children. The Wankberg in Garmisch-Partenkirchen was our first time hiking with kids. During our trip, we found the Wankberg very kid-friendly, with accessible trails, mountain huts, and even playgrounds along the route. In this post, we’ll share our personal experience hiking the Wankberg with kids and the highlights along the way.
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All about hiking the Wankberg with kids
The Wankberg in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
The Wankberg near Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a well-known mountain for hiking in the German Alps. To reach the Wankberg, you can take a cable car called the ‘Wankbahn’. The Wankbahn has cabins for up to 4 people, and you can get off at 2 stations. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the top of the Wankberg, but you can also get off at the intermediate station. However, most people take the cable car to the top. Just like we did. Of course, you can also climb the 1,780-meter high mountain, but we decided not to do that with a child in a child carrier.
The Wankberg is very popular because of the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Since there is a valley between the Wankberg and the mountains south of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you get a beautiful overview of the formation of the German Alps. You can also clearly see the Zugspitze (the highest mountain in Germany) from the Wankberg. Unfortunately, the top of the Zugspitze was hidden behind the clouds when we were there. Fun fact: the Wankberg is sometimes called the “Sun Mountain” because there are wooden lounge chairs facing the sun. On sunny days, it can get quite busy on the Wankberg.
Next to the wooden lounge chairs, there is a restaurant and a playground at the cable car station. Most people who take the Wankbahn to the top, walk around and enjoy the views. There is a nice walking loop at the top of the mountain. These paths are also suitable for families, as many people walk with strollers or buggies. There is also a relatively flat hiking route of about 2.5 hours, which not only passes through the Wankberg but also goes around the Ameisberg and Roßwank.
Hiking from the Wankberg: our hiking route
We chose not to stay at the top and hiked down to the parking lot of the Wankbahn. The nice thing about this hiking route is that there are 4 stops where you can eat or drink. We essentially hiked from hut to hut. The stops along the route are the Wank Haus hut (at the top of the Wankberg), the Esterberg Alm, the Gschwandtnerbauer hut, and the Tannenhütte.
The first stop on the hiking route is the Wank Haus hut at the cable car station at the top of the Wankberg. We didn’t stop here for food and drinks, but did enjoy the view of the Alps from one of the lounge chairs at the hut. Then, we hiked for about 1 hour and 15 minutes to the ‘Esterberg Alm’ hut. This path goes through the forest, zigzagging fairly steeply downhill. Toward the last part, we started to feel it in our legs. The Esterberg Alm is a mountain hut in a so-called ‘alm’: a large, flat grassy meadow between several mountain peaks. Here, we had lunch. They only serve typical South German dishes, and they taste really good. Luca also enjoyed the Kaiserschmarrn. He also had some time to play here.
Hiking to Garmisch-Partenkirchen
After our lunch break, we headed toward the Gschwandtnerbauer hut. The first part of the route was very beautiful: we went up and down along a small stream. Luckily, the elevation changes weren’t too steep. Just before reaching the Gschwandtnerbauer hut, the path did drop significantly through the forest. We didn’t stop at this hut, but we did take a short break for a few minutes.
Next, we made our way to the Tannenhütte. To do this, we had to hike uphill again through the forest (why had we gone so far down before?). Once we reached the highest point, we walked on a wider, flatter path through an area with fewer trees. This section is where alpine cows can roam, but unfortunately for Luca, we didn’t see any.
On the final stretch toward the Tannenhütte, you arrive in a large open area. In this part of the hiking route, you also have beautiful views of the German Alps and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Here you’ll find benches to take some rest, but within a few minutes, you can also reach the Tannenhütte via an iron suspension bridge. So we stopped for a drink here instead. This hut also has a playground where children can play. From the hut, it’s about an hour’s walk down to the car. The last stretch before reaching the Wankbahn parking lot involves hiking through a typical South German residential neighborhood in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Hiking Wankberg with kids: our experience
We were very curious about how it would go. It was our first time hiking with children in the mountains. It was also our first mountain hike with a child carrier (so extra weight). Plus, we didn’t know how Luca would feel about sitting in the child carrier all day.
In the end, hiking down the Wankberg was quite a hike. Including the time spent in the cable car and at the mountain huts, we spent 7 hours hiking. The total distance was 12.7 kilometers. It was a bit too long for Luca because by the end, he got a little impatient in the child carrier. Fortunately, he managed to take a nap along the way. But the hike was also a bit long for Mario, carrying Luca on his back. A hike of 2-3 hours (without stops) would be better when hiking with children.
However, the Wankberg offered a pleasant hike with children due to the many stops. Besides the stops at the Wankberg and the huts, there were also occasional grassy areas where we could rest, and Luca could crawl around. It’s also nice that there are opportunities along this Wankberg hiking route for children to play.
And of course, it was just a beautiful hike. From the Wankberg and during the hike, we had stunning views of the German Alps and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Since we could take the cable car up, we didn’t have to hike uphill. Hiking only downhill is much easier, though it’s still quite intensive for your calves. And even though we were mostly going downhill, the hike wasn’t monotonous.
How to get there
Useful directions and addresses to reach the Wankberg in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- By car, park at:
Wankbahnstraße,
82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen
There are also camper spaces at the parking lot. - By train: Garmisch-Partenkirchen train station. From here, it is a 30-min hike to the Wankbahn, or you’ll need to take the bus.
Useful info and links
Here’s everything you need to plan your perfect hike on the Wankberg with children
- Website Wankbahn
- Tours and activitities Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Website Almgasthof Esterberg
- Website Gschwandtnerbauer
- Website Tannenhütte
Where to stay
Find accommodations for families in Garmisch-Partenkirchen or in the surrounding area
- TBD
FAQ: Hiking Wankberg with kids
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Can you hike Wankberg with kids?
Hiking Wankberg with kids is definitely doable, especially if you make smart use of the cable car. This way, you can skip the toughest climbs and keep the hike much more relaxed for both children and parents. This hiking route on the Wankberg includes both easy paths and a few slightly steeper sections. Overall, the route is child-friendly, though it can be a bit long, particularly for younger children. If you stay only at the top of the mountain and take the cable car back down, hiking Wankberg with kids is very easy. In that case, you can even bring a buggy and do a short loop around the summit.
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How long does it take to hike Wankberg with kids?
Hiking Wankberg is quite extensive, and the total duration depends heavily on your pace and the number of breaks you take. Including the time on the cable car and stops at the mountain huts, it took us about 7 hours. The total distance of this hiking route on the Wankberg was 12.7 kilometers. For our toddler, this route was just a bit too long. He became somewhat impatient, and it was physically demanding for us to carry him in a child carrier for such a long time. If you are hiking with kids, a hiking time of 2 to 3 hours (not including stops) is often a better choice.
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Are there facilities for children on Wankberg?
Hiking Wankberg with kids is quite manageable thanks to the many facilities along the route. While hiking on the Wankberg with kids, you will come across several mountain huts, such as Wank Haus, Esterberg Alm, Gschwandtnerbauer hut, and Tannenhütte. These are great places to get food and drinks and take a short rest. At the top of the Wankberg, there is a small playground where children can burn off some energy. There is also a playground at Tannenhütte, making this hut a popular stop during a hike on the Wankberg with kids.
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What tips do you have for hiking with kids?
Hiking Wankberg with kids can be a fantastic experience, as long as you are well prepared. Here are some tips to make hiking with children much more enjoyable and manageable:
– Use the cable car. Take the cable car up and hike down. Walking downhill is much less tiring than uphill, which saves a lot of energy, especially for children.
– Plan plenty of breaks. Don’t rush the hike and take enough breaks at mountain huts. We did this at Wank Haus and Tannenhütte. These are great spots where children can rest, have something to eat, and often play a bit.
– Pay attention to the route length. We hiked a route of 12.7 km. This was doable because we carried our little son in a carrier, although it was already a bit long for him to be carried that long. If you are hiking with young children who walk themselves, it is usually smarter to choose a shorter route on the mountain and take the cable car down.
– A child carrier is recommended. Especially for mountain hikes with small children, a good child carrier is very handy, for steep sections or when your child gets tired.
– Bring enough water and snacks. In the mountains, children (and adults) burn more energy. Plenty of water and snacks help avoid hungry and tired moments along the way.
– Check the weather and wear good shoes. Weather in the mountains can change quickly. Sturdy hiking shoes with a good grip are important for safety and traction, also for children. -
Is the Wankberg suitable for strollers?
Hiking Wankberg using a stroller is doable, but it strongly depends on which route you choose. At the top of the Wankberg, there is a walking route that goes in a loop around the summit. This route is doable with a stroller or buggy. You can also take strollers in the cable car carriages, although these are not very spacious. A foldable stroller or buggy is therefore ideal. As long as you stay on the top of the Wankberg, walking with a stroller is perfectly possible. The route we hiked on the Wankberg with kids, however, is not suitable for strollers or buggies. This trail includes narrow paths and elevation changes. If you want to hike this route with small children, a child carrier is really necessary.
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What can I see when hiking Wankberg?
Hiking Wankberg offers stunning panoramic views of the German Alps and the surroundings of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. From the top of Wankberg, you can see the valley below and the surrounding mountains, including the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak (weather permitting). Along the trail, you’ll pass forests, grassy meadows, and alpine huts, making it a scenic and varied hike. There are also plenty of spots to rest, enjoy the views, or let kids play.
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How do I get to the top of the Wankberg?
There are two main ways to reach the top of the Wankberg in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The easiest option, especially when hiking with kids, is to take the Wankbahn cable car. The ride takes about 20 minutes and brings you close to the summit, with the option to get off at an intermediate station. You can also hike all the way up to the top, but this is a longer and more demanding climb. Many families choose the cable car and then enjoy hiking down or walking the scenic paths at the top of the mountain.
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