Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a quiet mountain resort town on the Bavarian border

And up we go!

Trailhead at the end of Am Feldkreuz street, leading up into the mountains at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

I started walking up the trail, which is well defined (and even paved in some places).

Trail switchback, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

I got bored with the main path so took a slight detour through the forest for a little bit.

Walking through the forest towards Grasberg, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

I thought this was cute; a little bird house randomly nailed to the side of a tree trunk.

Birdhouse nailed to tree trunk in Grasberg forest, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Here is an awesome yet totally unhelpful signpost I came across. I didn’t exactly have a preset destination other than “just get up high enough to take a nice panorama”.

Carved wooden totem pole sign along trail to Grasberg, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

At this point I found myself walking more laterally and away from town rather than heading up. You can see I’ve gained some altitude, but not much and certainly not unobstructed enough to take a good photo. I tried to get that desaturated WWII kinda look when I made this next one.

Desaturated panorama taken on Grasberg walking path overlooking Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

I decided that the main footpath just wasn’t working out for me, so when I came upon this unmarked trail sneaking its way off into the forest I made a break for it and followed it straight up the mountain.

Hiking off the beaten path to Grasberg, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

I mean literally, straight up the mountain. It got really steep, and I started to get tired and drenched with sweat.

Climbing up the hillside to Grasberg, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

As I climbed higher up the mountain I came upon this makeshift staircase that someone built out of tree logs. It was a pretty cool surprise, and it started to level off just a bit. I found later from looking at a detailed German map of the area that the mountain is called Grasberg, or at least the trail I was on leads to an area called Grasberg.

Random staircase made from logs and tree branches, found along hiking trail above Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

I was getting very exhausted by this point because I had stayed awake the night before to help me get on the early train, and now I’m hiking up a big hill. I was determined to get a good pano shot though, and so far hadn’t really been given a chance with all the trees. Here you can see Garmisch peaking through a little bit which gives an indication of how high I had climbed.

Looking down at a Garmisch-Partenkirchen peaking through the trees, Germany

I finally found respite from the arduous hike as my trail started to level out and the forest became less dense. I still didn’t know if it was taking me in anyplace meaningful, but I could stop panting and catch my breath. I had been hiking for over an hour at this point.

Hiking along a trail in Grasberg, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Suddenly the trail appeared to break and through the trees I could see it was leading me right towards a building. I was hoping I didn’t end up on private property or something but I continued forward to see what I had discovered.

Wooden building peaking through the trees at a trail's end in Grasberg, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

A motherfucking biergarten. My Jesus statue prayer really paid off I mean oh man was there not a single thing at that moment I could have possibly wished for more than to have A) the forest cut down so I could finally take my panorama, and B) be able to sit and drink while doing it.

St. Martin am Grasberg side-view with deck, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

I really liked the woodwork here on the side of the building and how rustic it feels.

Rustic green shutters and building exterior of St. Martin am Grasberg, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

It turns out the biergarten I had stumbled upon is called St. Martin am Grasberg, which doesn’t have it’s own web page but that you can google to see where it is. On a side note, I love my wide angle for making pictures like this possible.

Front face of St. Martin am Grasberg, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Without a doubt, if you find yourself in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and want to enjoy a breathtaking view while sipping a few cold ones, St. Martin am Grasberg is the place to be!

Panorama of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, taken from the biergarten deck at St. Martin am Grasberg, Germany

I sat down by the railing and ordered some lunch. I had some sausages and what looks from the picture to be like potatoes of some sort. If you’re in Bavaria, sausage is pretty much offered everywhere or at least anywhere a tourist might go. How authentic it is as a ‘traditional Bavarian dish’ I cannot tell you.

My dinner and a view, seen from the deck at St. Martin am Grasberg, biergarten overlooking Garmisch-Partenkirchen valley, Germany

And here is the resulting panorama I had expended so much effort to make. I went under the restaurant’s deck so as to not be obstructed by the tables and fence. The viewing angle is probably like 150° or something so when it stitched together I look a little narrow, but besides that I think I did pretty well. All in all there are 60 photos that make up this next one.

Panorama with myself overlooking Garmisch-Partenkirchen, taken from St. Martin am Grasberg, Germany

At this point I was drunk, and decided that the best way down the mountain was to just run straight down it. And that’s exactly what I did. Not on a trail either mind you like when I hiked up, I basically just started from the restaurant and hauled ass down the mountain.

I really don’t know how I didn’t slip and fall but thank god I didn’t because it would have been all over and I would have crushed my camera (which I strapped to my hand so I could take shitty snapshots like these ↴ as I ran down).

Running down the mountain from Grasberg to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

I came into a clearing at one point and found what I imagine to be a tree fort used by hunters. Kind of interesting to find a tree house in the middle of nowhere though.

A treehouse for hunters in the hills above Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany