Winter Hiking in Austria
Strolling through the snow

Winter hiking through snow-covered landscapes shows the cold season from its quiet side. Here are the most beautiful winter trails.

Winter hikes away from the slopes

The snow glistening in the winter sun swallows the noise and roar, creating silence. Walking through the deep snow-covered landscape, through the Austrian national parks or idyllic winter villages, you will suddenly notice all the sounds more intensely: The crunch of your footsteps, your breath, the gurgling of a frozen stream. The snow and the silence allow us to find ourselves again.

There are hundreds of well-prepared winter hiking paths in Austria: From the Bregenz Forest, over sunny high plateaus up in the mountains, to winter hiking trails through the Hohe Tauern National Park.

Winter hiking in Austria's provinces

Winter hiking in Austria is simply magical. Walk relaxed through snow-dusted forests, along frozen lakes, and in the snowy Alps. Here, it is so easy to feel that peace and quiet - step by step.

Vorarlberg

Tirol

SalzburgerLand

Carinthia

Styria

Upper Austria

Lower Austria

Winter hiking in Austria's regions

Make long-lasting winter memories on frozen lakes, a sunny high plateau and high up in the mountains.

Montafon

Hike 290 km through winter – groomed trails, clear air and views that will stay with you every step of the way.

Montafon

Innsbruck

Whether on the Mieminger Plateau or in the Inn Valley – the winter hiking trails around Innsbruck are perfect for relaxing hours in the snow.

Innsbruck

Tannheimer Tal

Hike through the snow-covered Tannheimer Valley – on 81 km of perfectly cleared paths, surrounded by silence and winter beauty.

Tannheimer Tal

Lake Achensee

On 150 km of cleared winter hiking trails, immerse yourself in snow-covered landscapes – along the lake, through the Karwendel valleys and high up in the mountains.

Lake Achense

Saalfelden Leogang

Are you drawn to the snow? Perfect – because winter hiking is a real pleasure here. With sturdy shoes, you can stroll through tranquil winter landscapes.

Saalfelden Leogang

Lake Fuschlsee region

For those who love snow and nature, the up to 50 km of groomed winter trails in Faistenau, Fuschl am See and Hintersee are ideal.

Lake Fuschlsee region

Lungau

On over 40 well-maintained winter hiking trails, breathe in the clear mountain air and gaze upon snow-covered peaks. Starting point: the quiet villages of the region.

Lungau

Villach, Lake Faak, Lake Ossiach

Winter hiking boots? Absolutely. The Gerlitzen Alpe and Dobratsch Nature Park offer snow-covered trails with sweeping views.

Villach, Lake Faak, Lake Ossiach

Schladming-Dachstein

On around 300 km of winter hiking trails – such as on the sunny high plateau in Ramsau am Dachstein – experience winter in all its tranquillity.

Schladming-Dachstein

Phyrn-Priel

Enjoy the peace and quiet and the clear winter air while exploring the landscape on 24 well-maintained winter hiking trails step by step.

Phyrn-Priel

Viennese Alps

6 tours around the Schneeberg - the highest mountain of Lower Austria - will make you winter-happy.

Viennese Alps

Winter tours in Austria

Winter hiking on high plateaus with summit views and through national and nature parks - here are our tour tips:

Bregenz Forest

The winter hike leads from the Wellnesshotel Linde in Sulzberg to Schönenbühl on the scenic high plateau: 9.3 km. Walking time: 3 hours.

Sulzberg – Schönenbühl

Seefeld

Five star-shaped stages on the Seefeld high plateau: in five days and 65 km, you'll discover the region and its five towns.

Seefeld High Plateau

Kalkalpen National Park

Easy panoramic loop in approx. 3 hours covering 6.8 km: two huts and magnificent distant views make this hike a special experience.

Grünburger hut over Schoberstein

Tauplitz

A hike across the wintery high plateau of the Tauplitzalm with beautiful views and cosy huts: distance 5.3 km, duration approx. 2 hours walking time.

Winter hiking trail Tauplitzalm

Großarltal

From the Grundlehen car park, hike along a forest path to the Loosbühelalm: 5.14 km, approx. 1.5 hours. If enough snow, take the toboggan back down into the valley.

Berggasthof Loosbühelalm

Well-equipped for your winter hike

With the right equipment, you'll enjoy every moment of your winter hike - toasty warm, safe, and without blisters.

What shoes to wear?

  • Medium-strength, snow- and waterproof high shoes with a grippy rubber tread sole are best.

  • Soles with thermal footbeds, e.g. made of lambskin or felt, help against the cold ground.

  • Don't forget: always stuff your shoes in the evening and let them dry (not on the radiator!).

  • Gaiters prevent snow from getting into your shoes from above and keep your trouser legs dry. Gaiters that fasten under the shoe are best.

Which clothes to wear?

Dress like an onion - in many layers:

  • First layer: underwear made from functional fabrics.

  • Second layer: jumper or jacket made from warm fleece that wicks sweat away from the body.

  • Outer layer: a functional jacket that should be at least water-repellent. Important: an integrated or detachable hood.

  • Mountain or trekking socks made from a blend of fabrics are recommended, as they combine the positive properties of natural and synthetic fibres. They keep you warm and dry quickly.

What to pack in your rucksack?

  • A drink (e.g. hot tea in a thermos flask) and a snack.

  • A small seat cushion for resting on damp and snow-covered benches.

  • Head torch. Normal hand-held torches are not suitable as you need to hold your walking sticks.

  • Mobile phone. The European emergency number 112 also works without a SIM card.

  • Hiking map

FAQs

  • Slowly. Carefully. At your own pace.

    Winter hiking is not a discipline for those in a hurry, but rather a quiet activity on cleared paths in the winter landscape.

  • The most important principle: Walk economically – i.e. energy-efficiently – at a steady pace, and rather a little slower than too fast. Especially in deep snow, any hasty pace quickly drains your energy. 

  • A simple rule of thumb: If you start sweating while walking or can no longer speak comfortably, you are going too fast.

  • Winter hiking is a game of balance and mindfulness: Every step must be deliberate, springy and sure – not only because of the terrain, but also because your body needs to expend more energy in winter to stay warm. If you go full throttle right from the start, you risk getting tired or cold quickly.

Tip: Do as nature does in winter – reduce speed, slow down and focus on the essentials. 

Only use marked trails! If you move away from them, you disturb the wildlife.

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