In the very south of Germany, not far from Austria, there is a typical Bavarian town of Mittenwald , famous not only for its picturesque landscapes, but also for its musical traditions. Skiers and snowboarders come here for a leisurely ride, to have a nice rest in the company of friends or family, as well as to enjoy the local beauties of nature. The pride of the resort is the second longest track in Germany, which stretches for seven kilometers.
Mittenwald is not only a ski resort, but also a very interesting place, which was known as the “city of Venetian fairs” since 1447. It later became famous as the “string city”, because it is home to many music shops and schools, the most famous of which is the workshop of Matthias Klotz, where string instruments are made. Also, the sounds of violins, cellos and other musical instruments can be heard almost all year round in the vicinity of the city. The resort is also known for its houses, the facades of which local residents have turned into artistic canvases, creating a kind of street art gallery.
Here you can ride on numerous slopes, take a walk in the picturesque surroundings, and also get to know the culture of the city. The resort is suitable for experienced skiers and snowboarders as well as for beginners.
History of the city
Mittenwald is on the site of an old Roman trade route over the Brenner and in 1080 it is first mentioned in the Media Silvia. The place was from 1294 in the county of Werdenfels in the diocese of Freising and lies in the border forest of the two dioceses of Freising and Brixen.
The annual amount of precipitation is 1,437 mm, which is in the upper third of the values recorded by the measuring stations of the German Meteorological Service. The driest month is February. It rains the most in July. The wettest month has about 2.9 times more rain than the driest month.
The economic prosperity of Mittenwald was in 1487-1679. In the course of disputes between Venetian merchants and the markets of Bolzano Bozenera, all trade in goods between Germany and Italy moved to Mittenwald.
The town is located south of the fork in the direction of Garmisch or above Kesselberg. Mittenwald’s great prosperity ended when the markets were returned to Bolzano in 1679.
King Maximilian II founded the Mittenwald School of Violin Masters in 1858. Every year, masters of violin making are trained here. The tradition of making violins has been preserved in Mittenwald even today with about ten local violin makers, the price of a first-class violin easily reaches the five-figure euro zone.
The beginning of modern tourism in Mittenwald is the year 1912, it is directly connected with the opening of the station in Mittenwaldbahn, that is, the railway line from Munich through Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Innsbruck.
According to statistics, Mittenwald today offers about 600 housing units, a total of 5,400 places for 282,000 overnight stays and about 70 catering establishments, making tourism the main industry in Mittenwald.
How to get there
The nearest airports are in Innsbruck, Munich and Salzburg. You can get to Mittenwald by train:
From Garmisch-Partenkirchen
from Munich
from Innsbruck
Trains run almost every day, so there should be no problems with the road.
Characteristics of the resort
The skiing season is December-March
The total length of the tracks is 28 km
The number of tracks is 57
Difficulty of tracks – blue – 6, red – 7, black – 2
The height difference is 437 m
The longest track is 7 km
The number of lifts is 10
The price for one day of skiing for an adult / child is 26.5 / 19.5 €
Rental is available
There is a ski school
There is a kindergarten
Ski tracks and lifts
Mittenwald is a small paradise for snowboarders and skiers of all skill levels. There are many tracks here, from the simplest ones that a beginner or a child can ride, to complex ones that only professionals can handle. The resort is mainly chosen not by thrill-seekers, but by those who simply want to take a leisurely ride, relax and have a pleasant rest in the company of friends and family.
The total length of the tracks is 28 kilometers, of which 5 are blue, 17 are red, and 6 are black. Another advantage of the resort is the fact that all tracks are equipped with modern artificial snow systems and night lighting.
The easiest tracks are at the bottom, and to ride more difficult tracks you will need to climb to the top. The chair lift takes you to the Hoer-Kranzberg mountain, which is 1,391 meters high. And you can also climb another mountain, Westliche-Karwendel Spitze, by cable car. The station is located at an altitude of 2244 meters, from where the most difficult and steep descents take place.
Scheme of slopes
Ski schools and equipment rental
The resort has four large ski schools, whose instructors will teach everyone to ski, regardless of skill level and age.
Several sports shops are also available for vacationers, where you can rent all the necessary equipment. Real experts on ski and snowboard equipment rental will help you choose the right equipment at all rental points.
Hotels and cottages
In Mittenwald there are many hotels and cottages for every taste and budget. Vacationers can stay both in the city center and in the immediate vicinity of the tracks. Ferienhaus Antonia , located in the very heart of the city, is considered one of the best accommodation options here . All rooms are decorated in an Alpine style, equipped with a TV with satellite channels and a DVD player, as well as a living area and a fully equipped kitchen.
Another popular spot is the Almroeserl Guest House , located opposite the hiking and biking trails along the Isar River.
These Alpine-style apartments are just a 5-minute walk from the historic center of Mittenwald . The balcony or terrace of the rooms offers an incredible view of the Karwendel and Wetterstein mountains.
Landhaus Albrecht 4 star hotel
Landhaus Albrecht is a self-catering accommodation located in Mittenwald. Free Wi-Fi is available. The apartment is 200 meters from Kranzbergbahn and 1.1 km from Karwendelbahn.
The apartments have a living area and a TV with a DVD player. A fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave is at guests’ disposal. The private bathroom is equipped with a bathtub and/or shower and a hairdryer. The apartment offers a view of the mountains.
Hotel-Garni Drachenburg 3 star hotel
This family-run hotel is located in the picturesque Bavarian Alps, just 1 km from the center of Mittenwald. It offers free Wi-Fi and a free sauna, as well as bicycle rental and ski storage.
Hotel-Garni Drachenburg’s bright, non-smoking rooms are decorated in neutral colors and some have a terrace or balcony. All rooms are equipped with a living area with a TV and a private bathroom.
In the morning, guests are served a buffet breakfast. Local restaurants and bars operate within a radius of 1 km from the hotel.
The Hotel-Garni Drachenburg offers toboggan rental and several cross-country ski trails and hiking trails nearby.
An excellent leisure option is a 90-minute walk or bike ride to Elmau Castle with a visit along the way to Lakes Lauter and Ferch.
Gästehaus Sophia
Guesthouse Sophia is located in Mittenwald , 1.2 km from Kranzberg Ski Lift. Free Wi-Fi and free private parking are available. The guest house is located 2.3 km from Sonnenhanlift, 2.3 km from Karwendelbahn and Kranzberg-Hipfelbahn. All rooms have a balcony with a view of the mountains.
At the guest house, every room is fitted with a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. All rooms of the Sophia guest house have a guest corner.
A continental breakfast is served to guests every morning.
Luttenzeeft Ski Lift and Ubungslift-Kranzberg Ski Lift are 2.4 km from Guesthouse Sophia.
Gästehaus Sonnenheim 3 star hotel
The 3-star guest house Sonnenheim is located in a quiet area in the heart of Mittenwald, just 400 meters from Mittenwald Train Station. It offers rooms with a beautiful view of the mountains and free Wi-Fi.
The rooms have a comfortable living area and a flat-screen TV. Each room is decorated in a traditional Bavarian style, characterized by wood paneling and carpeted floors. In addition, some rooms have a balcony.
A buffet breakfast is served in the charming breakfast room, which also serves afternoon coffee. On sunny days, guests can relax on the terrace with a picturesque view of the Karwendel mountain range.
You can go skiing in the surrounding mountains, and the ski school is just 300 meters from the guest house. The guest house also offers bicycle rental. After a long and busy day, guests can relax in the library.
Guests can make day trips to the city of Garmisch-Partenkirchen (16 km), as well as cross the Austrian border and visit the city of Innsbruck (35 km). Free private parking is available on the territory of the guest house.
Restaurants and cafes
Mittenwald is not exactly a party place, but nevertheless, there are about 30 local restaurants and bars where you can taste delicious food and famous Bavarian beer. Gaststatte Restaurant – Romerschanz is considered the most popular establishment in the resort , where a cozy and homely atmosphere prevails. The best German dishes are prepared here, the portions of which will pleasantly surprise visitors. In the restaurant, all the waiters speak English fluently, so there should be no problems with understanding.
Another place worthy of attention is the small Cafe Haller , where on a spacious terrace you can enjoy the unsurpassed quality of dishes, as well as a wonderful view of the mountains. The cafe is especially proud of its dessert menu, where visitors will have plenty to choose from.
Sights and entertainment
Mittenwald is one of the most charming cities in Europe: lakes, clean air, mountains, sights – all this makes it the pearl of Germany. Here you can take a walk along one of the picturesque routes, enjoying the mountain air and the night view of the mountains, visit the Mittenwald waterfall.
You can also walk through the city center, where there are violin workshops at every turn, because Mittenwald is called the “string city” for a reason. There is also a museum of local history and musical instruments, where you can learn and see how musical instruments are made. Another landmark of the city is the facade, or “aerial” painting, which turned ordinary streets into bright paintings. You can walk and look at the numerous houses for hours, because Goethe himself called the city “a picture book that came to life.”
