Grainau, A Little Slice of Heaven Located in Bavaria, Germany

Grainau is a small, but quaint town that lies on the outskirts of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and right at the foot of the Zugspitze.

From Grainau you have easy and convenient access, via nature trail, bus or train, to the Zugspitze or the center of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

While the town does not host a large selection of entertainment options, it's a perfect spot for those looking for the feel of small town Bavaria while still being close to all the popular tourist destinations.

Every house and every hotel looks like it came straight out of the pages of a fairy tale, and you're half waiting for Hansel and Gretel to walk down the street.

The pubs are filled with friendly locals who appear to have no worries in the world as they down liter after liter of the famous Weiss beer.

For those not quite into the Gluwine, the winter months offer up the opportunity to guzzle the Gluwine.

Unless you're using the town as a base to venture out from, there is not enough there to keep you occupied for an extended period of time. However, it is within walking distance of all of the local nature trails, gorges and cable cars; including the Eibsee lake resort.

By walking distance, I mean European walking distance, (the Eibsee is about a 45 minute quick walk), not the American version of a walk (to the neighbor's house).

For those that are not quite into an hour-long walk, the local bus system is superb and carries riders all through Garmisch, Grainau and up to the Eibsee.

However, the trails are beautiful and it would be a waste to spend time in either Garmisch or Grainau without having strolled on the trails.

Biking is also an option, and what a ride it is zipping down the hills from the Eibsee in the cold winter air or fresh summer breeze of Bavaria; this is one area of the world that is a pleasure to visit during any season.

The Town and it's Trails

The Zugspitzbahn also stops in Grainau on it's journey from Garmisch to the peak of the mountain. The train offers tantalizing views of the area, but the last 20 minutes or so of the ride are spent rumbling through the tunnel that leads to the peak. The only view you get there is of the nice rock walls outside the window.

The Nature Trails

The town center is small, but there are a few shops, cafes and restaurants to choose from. A church dominates the 'downtown' landscape , and what a magnificent view it is as the Zugspitze stretches into the sky behind it.

Grainau is well worth the visit, although don't plan on spending a week there unless it's for ski vacation. Garmisch has a lot more to offer for those wanting to take in everything that the area has to offer and still be in close proximity to the slopes.

Grainau, in my opinion, is a magnificent little town, but is best seen as a stopover visit from the nature trails.