My GaPa: the Wank (vistas) over Werdenfelser Land
Before the reader goes on a titter, the German word “Wank” is likely related to old-Bavarian or Bairisch Wang/Weng, meaning “meadow on a slope” or “an opening in the forest”. The modern definition of the German verb “wanken” is “to stumble” or “to stagger.”
I’ve previously described southern Bavaria’s Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GaPa) and the natural beauty on offer around town. I’ve also made the ascent to Zugspitze a couple of times, particularly in glorious winter conditions. The return journey between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Zugspitze isn’t cheap, but I was very glad to see the Alps in 5 different countries; the interested visitor should check the summit webcams for weather conditions before heading up.
If you want a cheaper alternative, there are mountain views to be had at Wank, an 1800-metre tall “hill” just north of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Here are some equally beautiful views from the Wank summit on a visit during a warm afternoon in late-May.
The views from Wank
Ascent from the gondola’s lower/valley station Talstation, 740 m / 2428 ft above sea-level.
Shortly into the gondola ascent, the south-facing view immediately includes the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the southwestern “wall” of the Wetterstein mountain range, including Alpspitze and Zugspitze.
Above the gondola’s middle station Mittelstation, 1175 m / 3855 ft.
Relaxing on deckchairs, next to the mountain/summit station: Bergstation, 1750 m / 5741 ft.
Along the summit ridge facing northwest. The Sonnenalm restaurant at centre is next to the gondola Bergstation. At upper right is the Wankhaus, a hostel and restaurant operated by the Deutscher Alpenverein (German Alpine Club).
Along the summit ridge facing southeast: in the background at centre and right, respectively, are the Karwendel and Nordkette mountains (IG).
View northeast; from the Wank summit are trails descending west to Farchant or east to Esterbergalm and beyond to Wallgau.
A breezy day for paragliding; the launch platform is below the summit cross.
View south-southeast: summit cross (Gipfelkreuz) inaugurated in 1904; altitude 1780 m / 5840 ft.
“Errichtet vom Volkstrachten-Verein Werdenfelser-Heimat, Partenkirchen 1904.”.
Next to the summit cross is this sweeping view to the southwest.
North-facing view: Fraunhofer-Institut research facility, Kofel peak above the town of Oberammergau which hosts the decadal “Passion Play”, Laber hill, and the towns of Ettal and Oberau.
Wankhaus (1911) at 1780 metres. The posted daily specials include Spinatknödel (spinach dumplings) and Tafelspitz (long-simmered beef).
A group of hikers approaches Wankhaus, as a Löwenbräu banner in Bavarian blue-and-white flutters in the mountain air.
Parting shot of the Sonnenalm & Wankbahn Bergstation.
Waiting room inside Bergstation: “Mit uns wankt koana” (No one stumbles with us), Hacker-Pschorr advertisement for non-alcoholic beverages.
Fia ‘n Bazi, ‘s Gspusi, und’n Spezl. / Für den Schlawiner, die Geliebte, und den Kumpel. / For the rascal, the lover, and the buddy. (Ein kühles Hacker-Pschorr schmeckt einfach jedem. / Everybody loves a cool Hacker-Pschorr.)
Valley floor weather station (Wetterstation) whose measurement gauges confirm a luverly late-spring day.
Info & Directions
I could have easily walked from my accommodation to the base or valley station for the Wank gondola. But staying in one of the town’s licensed lodgings included zero-cost access to the town’s public transport for the duration of my stay; bus 4 or 5 gets me to stop “Wankbahn, Garmisch-Partenkirchen”. I purchase a ticket for the up-and-down return trip with the gondola, but there’s also a descent-only option for those who wish to make one of the 3-hour hikes to the summit.
I made all pictures above on 28 May 2018 with a Fujifilm X70 fixed-lens prime. Alle Fotoaufnahmen sind mit Wasserzeichen versehen worden. This post appears on Fotoeins Fotografie at fotoeins DOT com as https://wp.me/p1BIdT-kKX.
Fotoeins Fotografie 
6 Responses to “My GaPa: the Wank (vistas) over Werdenfelser Land”
These are beautiful photos of your visit to the mountains, Henry. 🙂
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Thank you! Looking back at the images has brought about a sense of deep longing to go back.
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I understand the feeling. We’ve also been longing to go back to the alps, hopefully in the summer too. 🙂
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wonderful views
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Thanks, Tanja! Have you (recently) visited that part of southern Bavaria?
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No, just admiring your wonderful photos
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