The Reintal is one of the wildest and most impressive valleys in the Wetterstein Mountains, carved by the River Partnach and followed by the classic hiking route to Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze. It's a place for those who want a genuine alpine experience, far from crowds and paved roads.

The valley was formed during the Würm Ice Age by the Reintal Glacier and later deepened by the Partnach river. The upper Reintal has a classic U-shaped glacial profile, stretching between the Hohe Gaifkopf and the Schachen, while the lower Reintal is a narrower, V-shaped valley shaped mainly by the river. Towering ridges surround it on both sides - the Höllentalspitzen, Hochwanner, Hinterreintalschrofen and Dreitorspitze - creating dramatic views in every season. In summer the valley floor is green and alive with rushing water, while in winter it turns into a stark, snow-covered wilderness. Thanks to its remoteness and the absence of roads, the Reintal remains one of the most untouched, natural valley landscapes in the Bavarian Alps.

How to get there

• Garmisch-Partenkirchen (via the Partnachklamm gorge) - trail leading to the Reintalangerhütte and onward to the Knorrhütte, several hours of hiking, difficulty: moderate to demanding
• The section as far as the Knorrhütte forms part of the Red Trail of the Via Alpina

Practical information

• The upper Reintal is protected as a nature reserve
• The Bock Hut and Reintalanger Hut in the valley offer accommodation and meals for hikers and climbers
• No roads lead into the valley - it is accessible only on foot

Around 1800, rockslides created two small lakes, the Vordere and Hintere Blaue Gumpe. In 2005, a heavy rainstorm caused the natural dam of one lake to burst, unleashing a flood that left visible traces in the valley to this day.