More and more holiday regions offer besides downhill and cross-country skis also snowshoeing. On a varied network of hiking trails, mountain trails and secluded paths, winter hikers can snowshoe in deep snowy winter landscapes and discover secluded forests.
The 10 most beautiful snowshoe tours in Germany, Austria, South Tyrol and Switzerland
Allgäu: Popular tour to Wertacher Hörnle
The aim of this light snowshoe tour, which is also suitable for beginners, is the Wertacher Hörnle. The 1695 m high elevation lies on the northern edge of the Allgäu Alps between Bad Hindelang and Wertach. Starting point of the tour is Unterjoch (parking at the B310). In normal conditions, the avalanche danger is classified as low, in addition, the ascent and descent route is on gently to moderately steep south and southeast slopes, which are framed by forest on both sides. The descent route is the ascent.
Allgäu: Panoramic tour with a view of the Allgäu mountains
The hike to the Immenstädter Horn is one of the most popular activities in the region. The hiker can expect a diverse landscape, which makes the more than 800 meters long climb quite entertaining. In winter, this round is a snowshoe tour with a very special charm, but it opens up previously unknown views and depths. For example, on the frozen Alpsee.
ROMANTIKER tip: At the valley station of the Mittagbahn you can rent snowshoes, telescopic poles and gaiters for a small fee.
Romantik Hotels in the Allgäu:
Romantik Hotel Freiberg
Freibergstraße 21, 87561 Oberstdorf (DE)
T. +49 8322 1869636
freiberg@romantikhotels.com
Romantik Hotel Böld
König-Ludwig-Straße 10, 82487 Oberammergau (DE)
T. +49 8822 8469630
boeld@romantikhotels.com
Snowshoeing in the Karwendel valleys. © Achensee TourismTyrol: Snowshoeing in Pertisau at Achensee
Around Pertisau the Karwendeltäler are an ideal area for beginners on snowshoes. At the entrance of Gerntal and Falzthurntal the terrain is flat and snow sure. If the use of snowshoes in the plain works well, there is an increase: a snowshoe hike to the Bärenbadalm. The trail leads from Pertisau am Achensee or from the mountain station of the mountain railway at Zwölferkopf.
Yet another snowshoe hike to the mountain in Pertisau can plan persevering recreational athletes on the Feilkopf on Achensee – a great place with summit cross and top views of the Karwendel mountains.
Romantik Hotel der Wiesenhof
Naturparkstrasse 20, 6213 Pertisau (AT)
T. +43 5243 20977
wiesenhof@romantikhotels.com
Tyrol: adventure hiking in the untouched Tyrolean mountains
On snowshoes, it goes right into the winter realm of the Tannheimer valley. The Lohmoos circuit is a particularly beautiful path that leads through the Lohmoos, a raised bog. It is not cleared and is therefore suitable for snowshoeing through the snowy landscape. Starting from Tannheim the trail leads at the foot of Einstein to Zöblen. Another highlight of the tour is the Zugspitzblick: to enjoy this view, turn left at the Häldeler Berg and follow the further signs to the panoramic view. A total of 12 kilometers and about 420 meters of altitude are covered in this round, which is also suitable for families.
Romantik Hotel Spielmann
Wettersteinstraße 24, 6632 Ehrwald (AT)
T. +43 5673 40170
spielmann@romantikhotels.com
Lattengebirge: Varied landscape with surprising views.© Holiday Region Berchtesgadener Land
Berchtesgadener Land: From Bad Reichenhall over the Lattengebirg
After the ascent with the Predigtstuhlbahn the tour leads to Schlegelmulde and to the Hochschlegel, then further to the Karkopf and over the Törlkopf back to Winkl / Bischofswiesen. The eventful winter hike offers a varied landscape with surprising views. With the snowshoes the almost 10 km long tour lasts 4 to 5 hours, inexperienced need longer accordingly.
Romantik Hotel Die Gersberg Alm
Gersberg 37, 5020 Salzburg (AT)
T. +43 662 263771
gersberg-alm@romantikhotels.com
Winter joys in the snowy Harz. © Harz Tourism 
Harz: in deep snow through the Upper Harz
Discover the Upper Harz Winter Forest on a snowshoe hike – what could be better. One of the most beautiful hiking tours leads on an old railway line from Altenau to Clausthal-Zellerfeld (about 6 km long). Snowshoeing promises special fun for all ages on the only 2 km long hiking trail in Hahnenklee. To try out snowshoeing for yourself, the local ski rental company has snowshoes and other equipment (also for children) available for hire.
Romantik Hotel Braunschweiger Hof
Herzog-Wilhelm-Straße 54, 38667 Bad Harzburg (DE)
T. +49 5322 7579674
braunschweiger-hof@romantikhotels.com
© Photo: Ferienregion Reschensee 
South Tyrol: Hiking on the alm in Vinschgau – pure pleasure
The snowshoe hike to the Reschner Alm begins at the foot of the Pofellift near Reschen. Trail no. 6 continues to the end of the toboggan run. From there, take the path no. 5 to the right of the bridge, continue across the clearing to the Pofelwiesen. Turn left at the fence and follow the steep and narrow trail in the forest. At the next clearing you follow the newly created path to the Reschner Alm. There you can enjoy a wonderful view of the valley floor and the Reschensee as well as the surrounding mountains at 2020 meters.
Romantik Hotel Weisses Kreuz
Burgeis 82, 39024 Burgeis/Mals (IT)
T. +39 0473 505158
weisses-kreuz@romantikhotels.com
Styria: Cross country tour with a marvelous Alpine panorama
An idyllic snowshoe round with gentle slopes, beautiful squares and stunning alpine panorama. This tour leads back from the former Krugmoar hut via oxstand and Steinerner Miarz over the Zapflhütte and Altes Almhaus. At many stops the snow walker can expect a magnificent panorama of the Alps, for example on the mountain range of the Hirschegger-Alm with Peterer-Riegel, Speikkogel, Ammering and Rappold. If you do not want to hike the entire route, you can also go straight from the Steinerne Miarz to the Alten Almhaus.
Romantik Hotel Schloss Pichlarn
Zur Linde 1, 8943 Aigen im Ennstal (AT)
T. +43 3682 20674
schloss-pichlarn@romantikhotels.com
View of the World Heritage Semmering Railway. © Schröttner / Vienna AlpsVienna Alps: snowshoeing on the Semmering
Hiking the landscape of the World Heritage Semmering Railway with snowshoes is one of the special winter experiences. The Bahnwanderweg along the Semmering railway regularly offers views of the legendary engineering structures of this first mountain railway in the world. After the start at Semmering station, the hiker can expect the Doppelreiterwarte as the first highlight, from which one has a beautiful view of the Adlitzgraben. Continue along the train to the famous Kalte-Rinne viaduct.
This snowshoe hike has a lot to offer, it should not be underestimated with a length of about 20 kilometers and a walking time of about 6 hours. Good condition required.
Romantik Hotel Altstadt Vienna
Kirchengasse 41, 1070 Wien (AT)
T. +43 1 3587554
altstadt-vienna@romantikhotels.com
Berggasthof Bärghuis Schönbüel with sun terrace and magnificent panoramic views. © Gasthof Schönbüel
Central Switzerland: popular snowshoe hike
This light snowshoe hike in the canton of Obwalden leads from the mountain station Turren up to Schönbüel. Thanks to the Lungern-Turren-Bahn you are in a few minutes at 1562 m. Close to the mountain station you can already see the typical winter pink signposts, which are now constantly followed. A nice resting place on the way are the chapel and the idyllic huts of Breitenfeld. Then begins the steep final climb to Bärghuis Schönbüel, which invites with its sun terrace to stop off at a magnificent panoramic view.
Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof
Swiss Alp Resorts No.1, 3818 Grindelwald (CH)
T. +41 33 5111181
schweizerhof@romantikhotels.com
© All hiking maps: outdooractive.com