Partnach Gorge

The Partnachklamm is a 702 meters long and 80 meters deep partially cut by the torrent Partnach gorge in Reintal near Garmisch- Partenkirchen. 1912 Partnachklamm was declared a natural monument.

Geology and origin

In the middle Triassic period some 240 million years ago in what is now encamped Partnachklamm at the bottom of a shallow sea dark gray, relatively hard layers of alpine limestone, the so-called Wurstelkalk or Knollenkalk, from. In the bead-like layers of this rock, you can often discover burrowing and feeding traces of former sea creatures today. Approximately 5 million years later pitched in the same sea basin significantly softer marl from, which are now referred to as " Partnach ".

In the course of the later alpidischen folding originated from these rock layers of the so-called Wamberger saddle. The erosion of the power fed by snow addition on the Zugspitzplatt Partnach was large enough to quickly pay off the softer layers to keep pace with the continued elevation of the terrain step and thus to cut even in the harsh alpine limestone. Today the river in the area of ​​Muschelkalk forms the typical narrow incised valley shape of a gorge, while to the north and south of it in the areas of softer Partnach prevail wider valley forms.

Geotop

The gorge is designated by the Bavarian State Office for Environment as Geotop 180R002. In 2002, the Partnachklamm was honored with the official seal of approval "Bavaria's most beautiful geotopes ". See also the list of geological sites in the district of Garmisch -Partenkirchen.

Economic Importance

The gorge was committed in the 18th century by local people who risked their lives transported firewood from the Reintal to drift due to Partenkirchen. From the 18th century to the 1960s, the river and the gorge were used as Triftbach. In the spring, was a distinctive mark of the owner, the house March, thrown timber marked in the stream and transported by meltwater into the valley. When loosening of splined tree trunks men have lost their lives over again. Of these accidents testify picture boards at a crossroads between the Olympic Stadium and the entrance to the gorge.

Since 1912, the gorge is also opened up for tourism. The gorge has been all year. It is the day an entrance fee to be paid. Outside these hours, a commission of the gorge also at your own risk is possible. During the snow melts in spring, the gorge can be blocked for a short time.

Rockslide

On June 1, 1991 broke approximately 5,000 m³ of rock from a cliff at the southern end of the gorge and verklausten the previous routing as well as the water course. Fortunately, called this surprising rockfall no lives. There was a small, natural reservoir, and the Partnach made ​​her way through the huge boulders. Since 1992, now leads past a 108 m long, blasted into the rock tunnel in the rock mass and the reservoir. The tunnel is exposed through window from which you can admire this natural event in total safety.

More Gorge phenomena

Also in the district of Garmisch -Partenkirchen to Mittenwald is the smaller and bordering on Austria Leutaschklamm that is opened with an impressive gorge climbing since May 24, 2006 and the Höllentalklamm to Grainau Hammer Bach.

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