When the snow crystals sparkle in the light of the sun, most winter fans can no longer stay on the sofa. It's time to get out into the fresh air and enjoy winter in Austria at its best. If you want to hike on untouched paths, it's best to opt for snowshoes. Because without this smart equipment you would simply sink into deep powder snow. Whether powdery or icy - with the big plates on your feet, on the other hand, you can trudge across country through the white wet without any problems.
But where are the most beautiful routes for snowshoe hiking? And which federal states are particularly suitable for this winter hobby? Our blog article will tell you all about it!
When it comes to the question of "Where?", we can tell you that basically any terrain is suitable for snowshoeing. However, mountains whose peaks have a rather hilly character and whose ascent is not too steep are ideal for snowshoeing. Therefore, the following federal states are popular destinations for winter hiking:
And although snowshoeing does not require quite as much snow as skiing or ski touring, a sufficient amount of snow is considered an important prerequisite. After all, it is much more pleasant to hike that way.
Whether you are a beginner or a novice, using snowshoes is particularly easy and requires no prior knowledge:
Would you like to enjoy the snowy landscape in Vorarlberg in a particularly quiet and gentle way? Then try snowshoeing along the numerous hiking routes or cross-country through the picturesque winter landscape in Vorarlberg - for example, snowshoeing in the Silvretta region. Here you can enjoy the view of the highest peak in Vorarlberg: the Piz Buin (3,312 m)!
We reveal three particularly beautiful route tips for hiking through the snow-covered Vorarlberg landscape.
The best way to discover Tyrol - the snow-covered heart of Austria in winter - is on a snowshoe hike. When snowshoeing in Tyrol, you experience the untouched winter world from a completely new perspective - and you also get your whole body moving. Especially Tyrol's 17 winter hiking regions, the many nature parks and the Hohe Tauern National Park invite you to new adventures on snowshoes!
Where better to go snowshoeing than in the heart of Tyrol? In Seefeld you will find more than 140 kilometres of winter hiking trails that are also ideal for snowshoeing. On seven routes specially marked for snowshoes you hike with your snowshoes over mountain and valley. You will get very close to the untouched nature of Tyrol.
The Zillertal in Tyrol is known for its particularly snowy winter months. On a snowshoe hike, romantic mountain villages and fantastic views are waiting to be discovered by you. Fun and enjoyment are guaranteed on 400 kilometres of cleared winter hiking trails. Especially for snowshoe hiking with the family, the Zillertal is always worth a trip!
Salzburg, with its city of Mozart, not only has some cultural highlights to offer. There are also plenty of winter highlights when it comes to the magnificent natural surroundings. Let the cool mountain air blow around your ears and hike along the most popular snowshoe routes in the Salzkammergut!
If you are interested in snowshoe hiking in Austria, the Lammertal in Salzburger Land is the right place for you. Here you can gather unforgettable impressions and enjoy winter from its most beautiful side while snowshoeing in the romantic and quiet Lammertal.
Hiking enthusiasts will also find countless opportunities for a winter holiday in a class of its own in the Gastein Valley. While the snow trickles from the trees and the snow crystals sparkle around you, you can hike through Dorfgastein, Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein on snowshoes and experience the province of Salzburg once in its full glory.
Whether you are at home in Carinthia or spending your winter holiday here - snowshoeing is an absolute must in the picturesque regions of Carinthia! After all, in the south of Austria stretches a gentle winter alpine world that is made for snowshoe hiking. Let yourself be enchanted by this wonderful nature experience and discover the most beautiful regions in Carinthia on snowshoes!
Snowshoeing is an experience for the whole family! The sport is ideal to be practised by young and old. You will notice this especially in Carinthia and the Villach region. The Dreiländereck, the Gerlitzen Alpe and the Dobratsch Nature Park offer you a variety of opportunities for snowshoe hiking.
The snow guarantee you enjoy in the winter paradise of Villach is not only ideal for skiers and snowboarders - the numerous winter hiking trails also benefit from it.
In the Dobratsch Nature Park - Villach's local mountain - you can choose from a variety of snowshoe tours. As a beginner, you can book a guided full moon snowshoe tour. If you prefer something a little sunnier, you can hike at over 2000 metres above sea level on the Gerlitzen Alpe high above Lake Ossiach and view the border triangle - Carinthia, Slovenia and Italy - from above.
On a snowshoe hike in Bad Kleinkirchheim and in the Nockberge Biosphere Park, you also have the opportunity to enjoy Carinthia's nature to the full - for example, on one of the guided excursions, which last about 2 hours.
The Hohe Tauern National Park offers you an incredible variety of hiking trails. These can not only be conquered in summer, but can also be walked on snowshoes in the snowy winter months: There are hardly any limits to snowshoe hiking here.
A trip to the Mallnitz National Park Centre in the Tauern Valley is highly recommended. With a bit of luck, you will see ibex, chamois and snow hares up close.
The Lesachtal is also known as the most natural valley in Europe. The deep snow-covered slopes, picturesque winter landscapes as well as alpine pastures and peaks are just made for a snowshoe hike. Whether out and about with friends and family or on a guided tour - perhaps you will discover one of the many wild animals that call the Lesachtal home. In any case, you will experience the picturesque winter landscape from an enjoyable side.
Get closer to nature with every single step - and get away from the stress of everyday life! The best way to do this is on an enjoyable snowshoe hike - for example in the Lieser/Malta Valley. Here you can go on snowshoes to the Stubeck. The snowshoe hike takes you off the beaten track through the snow-covered winter forest. Avalanche-safe, the trail goes over the timberline up to the summit, which scores with a spectacular view.
IIn Upper Austria you will find an unbelievable number of opportunities to enjoy winter from its most beautiful side. An excursion to this versatile province is particularly worthwhile on foot: whether you prefer to be out and about in warm winter boots or with practical snowshoes - the shiny snow and panoramic summit tours are already waiting to be explored by you.
Pyhrn-Priel as a destination for your snowshoe hike
In the Upper Austrian holiday region of Pyhrn-Priel you will also find an extensive range of winter and snowshoe hiking trails. In winter, around 100 kilometres of cleared winter trails - some of which have even been rolled - are waiting to be discovered. Enjoy the nature of the Alps to the fullest!
When snowshoeing in the Vienna Alps, you walk on marked trails or - best of all with a hiking guide - through the still untouched, snowy landscape. This way you can enjoy nature to the full. The only thing you will hear is the snow crunching under your snowshoes. Only an hour away from Vienna, the Vienna Alps are a true paradise for winter sports enthusiasts: make your first tracks through untouched deep snow and enjoy the view of the Rax, Schneeberg or Hohe Wand!
In St. Aegyd am Neuwalde in the Mostviertel, the best way to experience the idyllic terrain between Gippel and Göller is on snowshoes. On the well-signposted Kesselgraben snowshoe tour in Lackenhof am Ötscher, you hike 3.6 kilometres along a circular trail through the centre of the village over the Kesselgraben to the well-known Mandlboden Hut.
Another route suitable for snowshoes is the Eibenkogel trail. This begins on the Teichwiese and leads about 1.5 kilometres up the Belling to the mountain station.
In Annaberg, the Tirolerkogel invites you to go snowshoeing. Within 2 hours you reach the summit with the Annaberger Haus.
On a snowshoe hike in the Waldviertel you are also encouraged to explore nature and enjoy the tranquillity to the full. The soft crunching of the snow under your snowshoes is usually the only thing you hear. Bad Traunstein and Gutenbrunn are particularly recommended for snowshoe hiking in the Waldviertel. Especially the hikes in Bärnkopf and Langschlag are ideal for the whole family!
Whether the Niedere Tauern, the Tote Gebirge, the Gesäuse, the Seetaler or Fischbacher Alps - when snowshoeing in Styria, you hike with feather-light snowshoes through the untouched white splendour. In the regions, endless kilometres off the cleared paths and pistes lead through the snow-covered winter landscape of Styria.
Even in popular ski resorts like Schladming-Dachstein you will find countless opportunities to enjoy magnificent views of snow-covered lakes in the Ausseerland-Salzkammergut region - while snowshoeing.
Explore the Gesäuse on snowshoes
The Radmer or Johnsbach Valley forms the natural border between the Eisenerz Alps and the Gesäuse Mountains. Due to the magnificent, extensive and at the same time untouched mountain world and the many possibilities for a snowshoe hike, this area is visited by numerous winter lovers in winter.
Explore Hochsteiermark on snowshoes
Snowshoe Hiking in the Murau District
Whichever region or snowshoe hike you choose - we at SPORT 2000 rent wish you lots of fun discovering Austria's wonderful winter landscape!
Are you still missing the right tips for snowshoeing or do you want to know what equipment you need? Then take a look at our blog article "The fascination of snowshoe hiking" and find out what you need to consider when hiking with snowshoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When winter hiking, you are usually on the move with classic mountain or hiking boots on cleared or prepared paths. With snowshoeing, on the other hand, you can also reach the open terrain thanks to the support of the snowshoes. You can trudge cross-country through the deep snow and make new paths in the snow-covered, untouched nature.
Are you an absolute winter fan and want to discover Austria's beautiful nature off the beaten track? Then it's time to buckle up: Your snowshoes, of course, which you can rent easily and without much effort from your SPORT 2000 rent dealer.
When snowshoeing, you will discover particularly beautiful vantage points and the fairytale secret places of the Alpine region!
Stress relief, deceleration and the calming effect of nature are also indisputable arguments that clearly speak for snowshoeing. In addition, snowshoe hiking offers the following benefits:
Once you have trudged through the snowy winter world on snowshoes, you are guaranteed to find great pleasure in this special winter sport and set off again and again on new tours.n.
If you would like to discover the winter world of Austria for yourself away from the sometimes overcrowded ski slopes, you can simply try out snowshoeing: at the rental shops of SPORT 2000 rent, the right snowshoe is waiting to explore the region with you and accompany you safely through the deep snow.
Let the fresh mountain air fill your lungs, trudge comfortably through snowy forests with your snowshoes from SPORT 2000 rent and experience the power and silence of the alpine winter world. Our highly trained and knowledgeable staff will be happy to advise you on the choice of snowshoes and suitable routes in the respective region.
We wish you lots of fun on your next adventure on snowshoes!
If you are still looking for the right snowshoe route, you can find inspiration in our blog article "Snowshoeing in Austria: The most popular regions" (insert link if live)!