Trailblaze the Cold: Hiking and Biking Adventures in Winter

Craving your hiking and biking fix even when the temperatures drop? In Austria, trail fans don’t have to press pause on their favourite leisure activity during the winter months. They just need some extra layers – and a slightly adjusted gear. Austria’s winter landscapes are just waiting to be explored. And hiking and biking are excellent activities to do exactly that, all while keeping the fitness level up. What’s more, they also come with extra health benefits: The cold air makes your body work harder to stay warm, burning more calories than during the warmer months, while at the same time strengthening the cardiovascular system. Hiking and biking on snow engage extra muscles and improves balance and coordination, while the exposure to natural light helps tackle the seasonal blues.

Let us show you some Austrian regions perfect for winter adventures away from the pistes.

FAT BIKING IN THE SNOW

Love biking? Then you’ll certainly love fat biking! The sturdy bikes are specially designed with wide, low-pressure tires to ensure great traction and stability when riding on snow and ice. They were invented in Alaska but have grown in popularity around the world in recent years. For riders not quite on top of their fitness level (or those who just want to take it easy), there are even electric fat bikes available that allow riding with the assistance of a small motor. More and more Austrian ski resorts offer fat bike rentals, designated trails and guided tours. Here are five regions where bikers can give it a go:

• Schladming-Dachstein: Ramsau is the place to go for both new and experienced bikers. Here, riders can choose from a variety of guided tours tailored to their needs and interests, ranging from the family-friendly two-hour beginner variant to leisurely tours including lunch at a traditional hut and the 40 km long 3-Mountain-Tour for those looking for a challenge. There’s also a tour focused on mastering fat biking techniques. Fat bikes and helmets are included.  
• Lake Weissensee, Carinthia: Austria’s southernmost province is an El Dorado for those seeking sun, lake views and fairytale-style winter landscapes. Fat bikers can join the three-hour guided “Snow-Ice Tour” through the Lake Weissensee Nature Park every Wednesday and Saturday or rent a bike and head out on their own.
• Obertauern: This winter sports hub in SalzburgerLand offers one-hour guided tours with electric fatbikes for everyone aged twelve and over – a great taster opportunity with stunning views all along the way. Participants don’t need to have previous experience but must bring their own (ski) helmets.
• Flachau: Fat bikers keen to combine their ride with some Austrian hut delights can book two-hour guided tours in Flachau, SalzburgerLand. After riding through the winter landscape, the tour will conclude at a mountain restaurant.
• Ischgl: This region is a biking hotspot all-year round. In winter, the Silvretta Bikeacademy offers both rentals and guided fatbiking tours, including at nighttime.
   

WINTER HIKING AND SNOWSHOEING ADVENTURES

Hiking during the warmer months is great, no doubt. But winter hiking offers a completely different – and at least as memorable – experience: The trails are quieter, the air feels crips and clean, and the landscapes turn into a snow-covered wonderland.

Hikers can connect with nature in a whole new way without the crowds, allowing them to fully embrace the stillness of the season. Keen to level up your fitness level? Swap the hiking shoes for snowshoeing boots and hit a more challenging trail! Here are five regions perfect for winter hikes and snowshoeing:

• Zillertal: Variety is key! Hikers in Tirol’s Zillertal can choose from 460 km of winter hiking and snowshoeing trails, ranging from easy walks to difficult ascents. There’s also a “Journey through time” winter trail on the Penken mountain, where hikers learn about the history of skiing through black-and-white photographs and can check out a historical pair of skis on display along the way.
• Zell am See-Kaprun: This region offers hiking and snowshoeing with stunning views of Lake Zell and the Hohe Tauern range. Hikers can join three weekly guided tours: The Kitzsteinhorn Explorer tour with a ranger from the Hohe Tauern National Park, a snowshoeing adventure, and the leisurely torch-lit walk through Zell am See.
• Alpbachtal: Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau in Tirol has more than 100 km of winter hiking and snowshoeing trails for all ages and skill levels, easily accessible from the mountain cable car stations. A special highlight is the family-friendly torch-lit hike in Alpbach on Tuesday nights – winter punch or mulled wine at the end of the tour included. 
• Carinthia: Austria’s southernmost province scores with hundreds of hiking and snowshoeing trails as well as 100 sunshine hours in winter. The Nockberge mountains, the Hohe Tauern national park and the Villach region are especially popular and offer everything from leisurely hikes to challenging summit tours.
• Schladming-Dachstein: Head on a hike and marvel at the Dachstein glacier from all angles. Schladming-Dachstein has 300 winter hiking and snowshoeing trails as well as daily guided tours. A highlight is the Dachstein summit ascent (2,995 m).

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