Winter hiking is enjoying growing popularity in Austria. More and more people are drawn to nature on foot even in the cold season. In order to recognize particularly safe and well-maintained routes, the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal has now also been awarded for winter hiking trails since January 2024. This quality seal stands for well-prepared and marked routes that are free of alpine dangers.
In the current season, a total of eleven winter hiking trails were awarded the seal of approval. A particularly large number of these excellent routes are located in Tyrol, Vorarlberg and Salzburg. One highlight is the Schladming-Dachstein region, which offers a wide range of options for hiking enthusiasts with 50 winter hiking trails and a total of 300 kilometers. Four routes were particularly highlighted there: the Talbachklamm trail, the Styrian Lake Constance winter hiking trail, the Kulmbergrunde and the Untertal winter hiking trail.
Winter hiking is seen as an alternative to traditional winter sports and offers nature experiences away from overcrowded ski slopes. The tested trails guarantee safe hiking and are accessible to everyone. Tourism associations are increasingly focusing on this type of leisure activity in order to appeal to new groups of visitors and to expand the range of activities available outside of skiing.
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