Sun from a clear blue sky and a fabulous winter landscape offered a perfect backdrop for snowshoeing at Hirschegg in Kleinwalsertal.
We were a group of 10 people that had signed up for a 2-hour guided snowshoe hike. Half the group were beginners with no prior snowshoeing experience. Nevertheless, we were in for a real treat.
Up and about
Those who didn’t have snowshoes were fitted with the necessary equipment in the local sports shop. Then, we picked up our backpacks, snowshoes and poles and headed for the end of the ski slope, about 100 meters from the Walserhaus in Hirschegg. As soon as everyone had strapped on their snowshoes, Sebastian, an experienced mountain guide, introduced snowshoe hiking briefly. “Practise makes the master,” Sebastian ensured and led the group out on the snow. Fresh powder snow on top of harder “older” snow gave our snowshoes a good grip. Soon the convoy climbed steadily up the hill.
Arriving on a ridge, we had a short break and got some info from Sebastian about the area. The views were nothing less than stunning. Surrounded by rugged mountains, forest-clad hillsides and picturesque villages, went continued our hike into the forest. After about one hour, the group got the hang of the technique and enjoyed nature. About halfway, we halted by a small hut to enjoy snacks and drinks. The view was amazing.
Downhill and home
As the sun rose higher in the sky, so did the temperature. Moreover, snowshoe hiking uphill gets you warm even on a cold day. This hike was not challenging, and we made several stops to enjoy the views and get info from our guide. Before we headed down the mountain again, Sebastian gave us instructions on walking downhill with snowshoes. Moreover, I learned how to cross and walk on the ski slopes safely. The last time we left the forest behind, the route offered brilliant views of the valley. Unfortunately, the last part of the hike came too soon. Just when everyone had mastered snowshoeing and could relish the fabulous winter landscape, we arrived back to the start. Nonetheless, everyone had big smiles on their faces, and I am sure that for most, this was not the last snowshoe hike in Austria.
The day before I arrived, 30 cm of fresh snow had wrapped the Kleinwalsertal in a beautiful white winter blanket. Not only that, the sun shone from a bright blue sky that also offered a comfortable 5-6 degrees Celcius, even in January. Most people know what Austria stands for when it comes to alpine skiing. […]
I did not have to venture many meters from the lift station and out onto the Gottesacker Plateau before an adventurous winter landscape opened in front of me. Then, almost in a hurry, I embarked on the 5 km trail (there is also a shorter version with 3 km). Moreover, fresh snow had arrived a […]
Tirol is probably what first comes into most people’s minds when thinking of skiing in Austria. However, the fact is that all the states, except Burgenland in the far east, have ski resorts. Not a surprise, as the Alps, dominate the Austrian landscape. Factors that also make Austria a true winter sports paradise are the […]
Winter hiking in a canyon was one of the things I wanted to do in Kleinwalsertal, Vorarlberg. Hence, I seized the opportunity and made a winter hike in the Breitachklamm Gorge. I have hiked in many beautiful canyons around Austria, but never during winter. The snow-covered landscape offered a distinctly different atmosphere and a wonderful […]
Often you only reach pristine snow-covered places by snowshoes. Snowshoes are ideal for exploring the enchanting winter landscape and also perfect for slowing down the pace of your vacation and enjoying the fresh air. Find a quiet corner in the woods or the mountains without ski lifts and resorts. Take a break from the hectic […]
What a change from when my college Arnold was here in the summer of 2017 (see the article Family fun in Seefeld). One of the snowiest winters in Austria in a long time had laid a thick white blanket over Seefeld and the entire Tyrol. It did not take long to get off the train […]
Globetrotting multilingual communications specialist born in Vienna, Austria – with passion for scuba diving, golf and culinary delights! 15 years of experience as a scuba- and travel reporter for among others: X-Ray Dive Magazine and Dykking.
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show personalised ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.