Germany, Austria, Switzerland: These are the 6 most beautiful winter hiking trails
Winter hiking is the new trend. Because this winter sport is healthy and easy, as well as much cheaper and more sustainable than alpine skiing. We present six of the most beautiful winter hiking trails in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The one with one
Links marked with a symbol or underline are affiliate links. If a purchase is made through this, we will receive one
commission – at no additional cost to you! More info
For some it is nothing new to hike in the mountains in winter, for others it is a completely new idea. Many winter tourism resorts have recently expanded their portfolios – also in the search for new sources of income for times when there is little snow – and have discovered how well-prepared winter hiking trails are popular. For families with small children, for ski vacationers who want to spend a day off the slopes, for older people who no longer like to get on the skis but still want to move around in the snow and enjoy the fantastic mountain panorama and nature experience.
The list of benefits of winter hiking is long (natural and environmentally friendly exercise, strengthening the immune system and endurance, strengthening muscles, stimulating fat burning and the production of happiness hormones, mindfulness, adventurous spirit, strengthening self-confidence) as well as the most beautiful trails. There are already many certified winter hiking trails such as the “Quality Trails Hiking Germany – Winter Happiness” from the German Hiking Association, and in Austria there are even our own winter hiking villages and winter long-distance hiking trails. We show six highlights in the DACH region.
Austria, Kartitsch in East Tyrol: Snow bliss with a view of three thousand meter peaks
In 2018, the 800-inhabitant village of Kartitsch was recognized as Austria’s first official winter hiking village. Because at the upper end of the Gailtal, far away from alpine ski tourism, gentle winter sports have long been celebrated. For winter hikers there are well-signposted trails that are freshly groomed every day. Like the tour from Prägraten via the Bichler forest path to the panoramic view of the three-thousanders of the Lasörling group.
The path is three kilometers long, climbs 284 meters and takes a good two hours and 15 minutes there and back. The starting point is at the tourist information office in Prägraten, from where a few large bends lead over the municipal road to the hamlet of “Bichl”. Continue in a westerly direction until you come to a sharp right-hand bend, which you pass straight ahead. This is followed by long bends through a larch forest to the end point, where the panoramic view of the three-thousanders of the Lasörling group awaits. Tip: On the way back, take a short detour to the Holy Spirit Chapel and then stop off at “Adis Treff”.
Austria, Warth-Schröcken, Vorarlberg: Insider tip on the Arlberg
On the north side of the Arlberg is the 400-inhabitant village of Warth-Schröcken at an altitude of 1,495 meters. It has only been connected to its neighbors Lech and St. Anton, famous in the international ski world, by gondola for ten years – and yet it has remained original and cozy. With an average of eleven meters of snowfall per season, it can be called the area with the most natural snow in Austria. Another plus point is that the region is above the tree line and the mountains are forest-free – which allows for wonderful views.
The winter hiking trail around the Simmel is a pleasure tour. It begins at Jägeralp and leads towards Salober to the Hotel Adler. Shortly afterwards a path branches off to the right and goes up to the Simmel Chapel and the World Peace Cross. After a good two kilometers and 176 meters in altitude, the destination is reached – with a gigantic view of the Lechtal and Allgäu Alps and the Bregenzerwald all the way to the Karwendel.
Germany, Ramsau, Berchtesgadener Land: From the magic forest to the Hintersee
The first mountaineering village in Germany is called Ramsau and is located in the Upper Bavarian Berchtesgaden National Park. The Watzmann, Reiteralm and Hochkalter mountain ranges form an impressive backdrop. This can also be admired on the winter hiking tour from the magic forest to the Hintersee. The starting point is at 670 meters above sea level at the popular photo motif, the parish church of St. Sebastian.
The approximately three-hour tour with a total elevation gain of 225 meters leads along the Ramsauer Ache upstream to the Marxenklamm. This is where the magical forest begins with its bizarre ice formations. The mountain stream babbles over the rocks and the cold conjures up a fairytale landscape made of ice. Around the wildly romantic Hintersee we continue on the Prinzregent-Luitpold-Weg and back through the enchanted forest to the starting point.
Germany, Feldberg, Black Forest: Panoramic tour full of huts
With 550 kilometers of paved and rolled paths, the High Black Forest is one of the republic’s winter hiking paradises. Many of the specially signposted premium winter hiking trails were selected by the German Sport University Cologne and are maintained daily by the local communities.
The route up to the Feldberg, at 1493 meters the highest mountain in Germany outside the Alps, is considered one of the most beautiful tours with the most huts and views. But with a length of 16 kilometers, 500 meters of ascent and descent and a duration of five hours, it is a more demanding route. It begins at the Hotel Feldberger Hof. After about three and a half kilometers you will come to the first rest stop at the Todtnauer Hütte. We continue to Stübenwasen, where the inn of the same name invites you to take another break. Now we go up to the Feldberg summit, but be careful: this part is not prepared and is only recommended if you have suitable equipment and fitness. However, at the top there is an overwhelming Alpine panorama waiting. And on the way back the next stop is the St. Wilhelmer Hütte, Baden-Württemberg’s highest alpine hut.
Switzerland, St. Moritz, Engadin: Lake hike across the frozen lake district
Four large mountain lakes – St. Moritzersee, Silvaplanersee, Champfèrersee and Silsersee – form the Upper Engadine lake plateau between St. Moritz and Maloja. They lie at an altitude of around 1,800 meters and are often frozen over from December to April. During this time, hikes have a special magic when you go over the thick ice sheets, along the snow-covered banks and always with a view of the surrounding three-thousanders.
The winter lake hike starts at the cross-country skiing center in St. Moritz, leads to the Olympic ski jump, past an idyllic mountain lake in the middle of the forest and down to Lej da Champfèr. We continue along the left bank to Surlej. The thrill begins on the Chastè peninsula when you go across the frozen Lake Sils to Isola or Maloja. The route cannot be missed as it is well signposted as SwitzerlandMobility Route 313. There are several places to stop for refreshments along the way – outside in nature and in picturesque villages. The lakes near St. Moritz are also known for their black ice, which forms when no snow falls during icing. You can then look far into the depths through the bare ice surface. However, a rare natural event.
Switzerland, Crans-Montana, Valais: Winter trail along the ski slopes
The southern Swiss canton of Valais has everything winter fans love: the pyramid-shaped Matterhorn, world-famous ski resorts and, in the east, the huge Aletsch glacier. In its French-speaking part is the 1,511 meter high ski and health resort of Crans-Montana, known for the Alpine Ski World Championships in 1987. There have been prepared routes for winter hikers and trail runners here for many years – so-called winter trails.
Like the scenic one from the Crans district to Aminona, which crosses the lowest part of the ski area from west to east. The moderately difficult hike alternates through forests and open terrain with fantastic views of the Valais Alps. Since the winter trail is located on south-facing slopes, there are several sun terraces that invite you to stop off. The 18 kilometer long tour starts at the driving range in Crans. The climb to Plans-Mayens takes you to Vermala and on to Les Marolires, where two tunnels lead under the Piste Nationale. From the Plumachit mountain restaurant you go back down to the destination Aminona, which is connected to Crans-Montana by public transport. Winter trail runners need around one and a half hours for the tour, hikers at least three and a half hours. After all, you also have to overcome 650 meters of ascent and descent – and enjoy the panorama.