Tragic mountain drama: Two hikers died near Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Tragic mountain drama: Two hikers died near Garmisch-Partenkirchen

In the idyllic area around Garmisch-Partenkirchen, tragic accidents recently occurred that shocked the mountain sports community. Two hikers who sought adventure in the Upper Bavarian mountains on June 13, 2025 lost their lives during their tours. While one accident occurred in Grainau and the other in the famous Höllental, both incidents are a reminder of the dangers that can lurk in the mountains, especially when entering snow-covered areas.
The first incident occurred on Thursday when a 28-year-old man from Canada fell several hundred meters while crossing steep terrain. A group of hikers found him, but every attempt to save him came too late. It remains unclear whether he slipped while crossing a difficult pass. The mountain rescue service ruled out an accident as the exact cause is still being determined. The second affected person was no better off either: a 62-year-old man suddenly suffered a medical emergency during his hike and could no longer be resuscitated by another hiker. A doctor later determined the cause of death to be natural.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, around which these incidents occurred, is known for its majestic mountains. Above all, the Zugspitze shines at 2,962 meters as the highest peak in Germany. A frame of other impressive mountains such as the Alpspitze (2628 m) and the Hausberg (1334.8 m) attracts numerous hikers and mountaineers every year. Despite the beauty that the region offers, visitors must be aware of the enormous risks that a trip to the Alps can entail, especially in snow-covered areas.

Mountain hikers and their dangers

Another tragic incident occurred just one day before the other accidents, when a tourist failed to complete a planned mountain tour in the Höllental on time. The landlady, concerned for her guest's well-being, finally alerted the police, who launched an extensive search operation. The mountain rescue service was deployed with search dogs and a helicopter, but the fate of the 28-year-old student from Canada was not avoided: he was found dead in steep, snow-covered terrain. Despite warnings about dangerous snow fields and steep passages, he decided to dare the adventure. An emergency doctor could only determine his death. According to the police, he died probably due to an accident.

The falls are an urgent appeal to all hikers who love nature: even in the spring months, when the sun is shining, snow-covered areas can pose great dangers. The mountain rescue service and police advise everyone to get detailed information before the hike and, if necessary, to seek advice from experts. Because nothing is more important than your own safety and health in the mountains, which offer us so much beauty.