After writing about our harrowing (for me) climb up the Zugspitze, I wanted to at least mention all of the other things we loved doing in and around Mittenwald. Mittenwald feels like a town out of a fairytale, and only more so if you’re a family that enjoys the outdoors. So, yea, it’s pretty much a dream for us, and that might be why we keep ending up there.
Getting Outside
- The tram to the top of the Zugspitze is probably the most popular attraction in the area. You can’t do much hiking from the top of the Zugspitze unless you’re ready for extreme terrain, but you can hike around from mid mountain. The cog railway runs to that point and is about a 40 minute ride from Eibsee.
- The Karwendelbahn was perfect for us with 2 little kids. It was a steep, short ride to the top, where trails of all lengths and levels of difficulty began. We walked one that was about a mile loop, a rugged mile, that Alistair was easily able to do at the age of 4. Not only is there a restaurant with good eats at the top, but there’s also a small museum and viewing gallery, and, my kids’ favorite part: two sandboxes with digging toys.
- Swim in Eibsee – it was chilly but swimmable when we visited in August 2016. The water is so clear and clean it’s impossible to not want to go in.
- Follow the trail around Eibsee – whether you run or amble, it’s a 5k loop with rolling hills through a beautiful forest around a pristine lake. It doesn’t get any better.
- Explore the trails to the west of Mittenwald. A system I’ve only scratched the surface of, but what I have seen are some of the best running (and cross bike) trails ever.
Looking down at Eibsee from the tram heading up the Zugspitze.
Loving hiking in the Karwendel.
On top of the world, but mostly just loving the sandbox.
Some of this little guy’s first steps.
Eibsee. Can the water be any clearer?
Sleeping
- Eibsee Hotel – a lively, but family friendly, hotel right at the base of the Zugspitze. Great food, nice rooms, great views, all around awesome place.
- Post Hotel – great for experiencing Mittenwald from the center of town and having all of the restaurants and shops right outside. The trail system was only about 1/4 mile away via very quiet roads. If you have light sleepers, note its close proximity to the church tower – the bells ring on the hour all night long.
- Lautersee Hotel – this place felt like a true vacation. It was quiet (even with our two rambunctious boys), secluded, and completely relaxing. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel being outside of town, but we loved it. Another place with great food, and a friendly, relaxed vibe.
All three of the hotels mentioned have restaurants on site, where you can enjoy all meals of the day – breakfast being my favorite. Eibsee Hotel and Post Hotel took credit cards without a problem, but Lautersee only takes cold, hard, cash.
Eating
I’m not sure I’ve ever had a bad meal in this part of the world, but below are a few places that stand out and were easy to manage with very little kids. It seems ridiculous to only include 2 places, and maybe someday I’ll add to this list, but that’s only because everywhere we ate the food was delicious.
- Osteria Veneta Mittenwald – good Italian food! We ate there a couple times and I even took the kids on my own for lunch one day while Jordan was running.
- Gasthof Stern – right in the middle of town, a biergarten with a playground area for kids.
