Walking Tours in northern-europe

Snowshoeing in Austria

Experience the wonders of snow shoeing in the high mountains of Austria, from two friendly hotels in the Austrian Lake District. This is a self-guided trip with a difference suitable for anyone who wants to try snowshoeing for the first time or for the more experienced. The first day in each centre is guided with instruction being given if required.

When the wide valley floors are carpeted in snow and the rocky pinnacles pierce their shroud of whiteness, there is no need to abandon the mountains completely to the skiers. Break out your boots and add some snowshoes to enjoy the magical atmosphere of the Alps in winter. This corner of Austria offers a wide variety of scenery in a compact area. Exquisite hamlets nestle into the mountainside; the forests are draped in snow, glaciated valleys form great arcs gouged from the mountains, often sparkling as the sun reflects from the snow and icy water of the lakes. The mountains tower all round; with the serrated ridge of the Gosaukamm rising almost vertically from the valley floor and the majestic tops of the Hoher Dachstein preside way up in the distance.

The trip begins in Bad Goisern, a town with all the facilities you will need and access to walking in the valley and onto the lower slopes of the mountains. The local guide will meet you on the first full day and talk through the walking possibilities for the first 3 days, which will vary depending on snow conditions. At some point between the beautiful trails, stops for hot drinks and admiring the views, it is worth making time to visit nearby Bad Ischl for a little sightseeing. After 3 nights we move onto Gosau, a higher valley with access to more spectacular scenery and plenty more snow shoeing possibilities. The guide will accompany you once more on day 5 of the trip and introduce you to the routes around this picturesque village where the snow record is amongst the best in Austria. If conditions are good then taking a bus and cable car to a route on the high-level plateau above Hallstattersee will be a highlight of the trip. A visit to the village of Hallstatt is also a must, as the historical centre is situated in the most fantastic position right on the lakeshore.

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