Wank

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

This is the unpleasant climb at the beginning of the Finztalbach Loop around Wank Mountain. You'll climb almost 550 m (1800 ft) up to the Finztalbach Valley.

From the parking lot for the Wankbahn (Gondola Lift), start climbing the Wankbahnstrasse (Wankbahn Street) up the mountain. At the second switchback near the Kletterwald (Climbing Forest), turn left to continue up the mountain. After 1.3 miles, there is a small chapel which provides an excuse to take a photograph so that you can get a break from the climbing.

Most of the climb is through a dense forest but occasionally the cover breaks and you enjoy a view of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the valley below. At about 2.4 miles, the trail turns abruptly towards the east and becomes steeper. You'll "enjoy" the final 200 m (600 ft) of climbing over the next 0.6 miles until you reach the top of the valley, and then, mercifully, it is over.

The trail then transitions from asphalt to dirt and opens to a valley. The Wank Trail ends at Almsgasthof Esterberg (Esterberg Mountain Hut). Here you can enjoy a well-earned beverage and meal before continuing the circumnavigation of Wank Mountain (which is the main reason to climb Wank Trail), or you can turn around and be back in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in just a few minutes.