Watch the reel on Instagram
If you're looking for somewhere shady, scenic and a little cooler to explore with the family this summer, these three are worth saving. All are within about two hours of Munich, and all have running water.
A spectacular gorge with waterfalls, bridges, steps and narrow rocky paths – the most adventurous of the three, so better suited to families comfortable with uneven terrain. We've already written a full guide to this one, including tickets, opening times and how to get there: read our Almbachklamm guide. The gorge also has its own official visitor page with current opening dates and an English trail brochure.
A lovely forest walk following the Lainbach towards the waterfall – shorter and more manageable if you want a nature adventure without committing to a big hike.
Getting there: Take the train to Kochel (the end of the BOB line from Munich Hauptbahnhof). There's a car park, an information point and toilets right at the station.
Want more of a day out? There's also a longer circular route through the forest of around 7–10km (roughly 2–3.5 hours) that takes in the falls as part of a bigger loop – see this route on Outdooractive. Sturdy shoes recommended either way.
A gentle walk in the woods following the Maisinger Bach, with bridges, water and plenty for little explorers to spot along the way. There's a dedicated Maisinger Schlucht information site if you want a map before you go.
Getting there: The S6 runs from Munich to Starnberg every 20 minutes. From Starnberg station: along the lake promenade, through the pedestrian underpass, along Bahnhofstraße, across Weilheimer Straße and onto Söckinger Straße. After about 500m, Maisinger-Schlucht-Straße starts on your left – signs from there follow the stream all the way through the gorge.
🍻 Worth the detour: Maisinger See has a beer garden, which is exactly as good as it sounds after a walk with kids. You can also continue to Starnberg and finish at the S-Bahn there instead of walking back.
⚠️ One thing for all three: always check current conditions before heading into a gorge, especially after heavy rain – water levels and path conditions can change quickly.
