Grainau - Höllentalklamm (Germany)

What to expect: A alpine hike that combines one of Germany's most dramatic gorges with a hut-to-summit-style climb, all nestled in the spectacular Höllental Valley. Expect wild water, steel bridges, pine forests, and ridge views.

Höllentalklamm literally means "Hell Valley Gorge", but it’s heaven for hikers. The gorge is closed in winter or by heavy rain.

Consider bringing a waterproof jacket.

Höllentalangerhütte sits on a glacial basin surrounded by peaks – rebuilt in 2015.

The Hupfleitenjoch sits at an altitude of around 1,751 meters and serves as a kind of natural balcony between two very different alpine landscapes. To the south lies the steep, glacier-carved Höllental, framed by the towering cliffs of the Zugspitze massif. To the north, the world opens up to gentler ridges and distant views toward Kreuzeck and Garmisch.

Grainau Isn’t Just One Village, it’s five in one. Although people refer to it as a single village, Grainau is actually a community made up of five smaller districts: Obergrainau, Untergrainau, Hammersbach, Schönau, and the settlement around the Alpspitzbahn station. Each has its own personality: It’s like five mini-villages sharing one spectacular mountain backdrop.

Grainau is officially designated a “Luftkurort”, which means it’s recognized by the German government as a spa town with medically beneficial air quality. This isn’t just a label – the village sits in an air pocket that remains clean, cool, and pollen-light all year round. The traditional Lüftlmalerei (alpine fresco painting) on the houses, the wooden balconies bursting with flowers, and the locals dressed in Dirndl and Lederhosen for festivals all create the feeling of stepping into a living postcard. The people of Grainau are deeply connected to the mountains, and you’ll often hear stories passed down through generations – about avalanche rescues, mountain spirits, or the old wooden sleds used to bring timber down the slopes.