Snowshoeing is an easy and awesome way to travel in winter, an ancient way of getting around in snow turned fun hiking activity. It’s popular in the States, but what about on this side of the Atlantic? Where oh where to go snowshoeing in Europe?
Enter Luke and Nell. Here we list for you our top 5 destinations in Europe for snowshoeing. Each has been included as they’re set up with hire and trails, and have some of the best mountain scenery on the continent. We ourselves have just been on a white hike (love that phrase) in the Dolomites and cannot wait to do it somewhere else.
So here is our wander-list of where to go snowshoeing in Europe specifically:
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Dolomites, Italy
Why is it on our where to go snowshoeing in Europe list: unreal UNESCO landscapes, beautiful rifugio huts for coffees & food
The Dolomites was the site of our very first time snowshoeing – and we’re obsessed. We went there with Collett’s Mountain Holidays [gifted] and it was a pretty good introduction to the whole activity.
So we can personally recommend Alta Badia, Tre Cime NP, and Cinque Torri as all being great parts of the Dolomites to explore on snowshoes.
There are hiking trails all over and the local maps are so so good. We used this one the whole week – hiking trails are drawn in red.
The other plus of snowshoeing in the Dolomites are the incredible mountain refuges. The Alta Badia tourism board is currently running a campaign featuring the high quality of food up on the mountains; there are Michelin-starred operations as well as more casual cafes and bars. Expect Austrian-Italian fusion cuisine (goulash soup with ciabatta, anyone?)
Note: we were gifted the Collett’s holiday to raise awareness about snowshoeing (our idea however, so you know this has come from us).
You can read more about snowshoeing and our adventures here:
How to walk in snowshoes: everything you need to know about snowshoeing
Snowshoeing in the Dolomites with Collett’s Mountain Holidays
Tirol, Austria
Why is it on our where to go snowshoeing in Europe list: all the winter sports, lots of snow
We went winter walking for the first time just before Christmas in 2018, and we chose Innsbruck as our base in Tirol. It’s an amazing city, billed as a capital of winter sports and they’re right: ski stations are just short bus rides away from the buzzy centre.
You can read our experiences of winter walking in Tirol here:
Where we walked in Tirol, there were countless opportunities to snowshoe. As early 2019 has showed, this area gets a lot -and we mean A LOT- of snow, what with it being north-side of the Alps.
We’d love to go back – there are some great snowshoeing articles on the Visit Tirol website which we find very inspiring.
Transylvania, Romania
Why is it on our where to go snowshoeing in Europe list: wildlife (wolves, bears and vampires), budget friendly
We’ve wanted to go to Transylvania for ages. And not just because of Dracula! (Kinda because of Dracula, who are we kidding.) But also because the little-known area called the Carpathian mountains has wildlife no longer across western Europe. BEARS guys, how exciting.
Transylvania is surprisingly popular for snowshoeing – but at a fraction (about half!) of the price of other destinations. We’re planning our trip there at the moment, and there are some very tempting guided tours out there (this Exodus trip looks brilliant!)
Lapland, Finland
Why is it on our where to go snowshoeing in Europe list: snowshoeing until May, the Northern lights, remote wilderness
Sometimes snowshoeing and skiing get lumped in together, and it’s possible you’ll have to cross pistes and negotiate rowdy skiers. Not so in Lapland. This is a place where snowshoeing is a normal part of winter life, and with great tracts of wilderness you can literally take a white hike all over the country.
We personally fancy the look of remote Kuusamo, which is right on the border of Russia. How cool is that!?
Iceland
Why is it on our where to go snowshoeing in Europe list: glacial walking and off-season possibilities
Iceland is everyone’s favourite rugged destination but did you know you could snowshoe here too? Awesome trip idea: you could combine it with glacial walking which would be frankly incredible. It’d also be a great way of getting away from the crowds (isn’t walking always?)
Have a look at the Snæfellsjökull peninsula if you want a specific suggestion.
These are 5 ideas about where to go snowshoeing in Europe – have any more? Already been? Let us know in the comments, and let’s make this the best resource for snowshoeing out there!
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Very nice! So on board with the slow adventures philosophy! I really hope you bring your next ones to the United States!
Glad to hear you’re on board! We would love to explore more of the US with the blog in mind. Re snowshoeing Acadia National Park caught our eye because snowy trails alongside the seashore is just perfect, isn’t it? Where else would you recommend snowshoeing in the States? Big question!
For snowshoeing in France I’d like to recommend Famke van der Elst in Les Portes du Soleil! Guided hikes with Famke and her cheerful dog Olle 🐾🐾❄️⛄️(Instagram: @famkevanderelst or http://www.famkevanderelst.com)
Haha, well thank you!
Black Forest Germany is great for snow shoeing – check out Feldberg and surroundings in particular. Topped off with lovely family run hotels with top spa facilities
Would absolutely love to visit the Black Forest and go snow shoeing – great shout! I’d also like to walk the Westweg – have a guidebook to it on my shelf!