Hornschlittenrennen Partenkirchen

Tradition Meets Extreme Sport

What was once everyday life in many Bavarian mountain regions — transporting wood and hay down the valley with horn sleds — has long since become a spectacular sporting event in Partenkirchen. The Hornschlittenrennen Partenkirchen takes place every January 6th (Epiphany) and is one of the highlights in the Bavarian winter tradition calendar. Four-person teams in historical costume race down the Hohen Weg on wooden horn sleds — a 1.1 km course with inclines, curves, and speeds of up to 100 km/h.

The Course: Hohen Weg from Partnachalm

The Hohen Weg leads from Partnachalm down into the valley and is the classic race track. The historical horn sleds — handcrafted wooden sleds with characteristic forward-pointing "horns" — are steered by four team members: two brake with the horns, two steer. The race typically lasts under two minutes — an intense, dangerous, and breathtaking experience for teams and spectators.

Bavarian Championship

The race is held as the Bavarian Championship in Horn Sled Racing. Approximately 80 four-person teams from across the Bavarian Alps participate, some with decades of tradition. The Hornschlittenverein Partenkirchen has been organizing the race since 1971 — the 55th edition took place in 2026. A classic that connects generations.

Winners 2026

The 55th edition on January 6, 2026, was won by the team „De 3 bläden von Goaßa“ (Georg Fischhaber, Hans Willibald, Franz Oswald, Franz Simon) — with a time of 1:32.51 minutes and a five-second lead. They successfully defended their title from the previous year.

Thousands of Spectators Along the Track

Around 4,000 spectators gather annually to witness the spectacle. The Hohen Weg is lined on both sides by onlookers, families from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, winter sports enthusiasts from the Munich area, and international guests. A popular gathering that shows how vibrant Bavarian traditions remain today.

Schäfflertanz Every Seven Years

A rare special feature accompanies the Hornschlittenrennen: the Schäfflertanz Partenkirchen, which only takes place every seven years and was therefore a special highlight in 2026. The Schäfflertanz is one of the most important Munich and Bavarian traditional dances, originally from the 16th century as thanks for the end of the plague — when performed concurrently with the Hornschlittenrennen, it brings together sports and dance traditions in a unique constellation.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen — Bavaria's Winter Sports Hub

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, located at the foot of the Zugspitze, is Bavaria's most famous winter sports resort. World Cup ski races are held here, and winter sports tourism shapes the market town. The Hornschlittenrennen is an important source of identity — a tradition that shows Garmisch-Partenkirchen is more than just an alpine sports arena.