Winter hiking family | © Kleinwalsertal Tourism eGen | Photographer: Dominik Berchtold

09 Nov. 2022 · Family | Winter Activities
Carolin Schratt

Fun and Frolics in the Snow – Top 5 Winter Hikes for Families

Making snow angels, throwing snowballs and as a reward for puffing and panting your way up the mountainside, whizzing down the slopes at top speed – we all have these sorts of images in our heads when we think back to snowy days of our childhood. 

Making snow angels, throwing snowballs and as a reward for puffing and panting your way up the mountainside, whizzing down the slopes at top speed – we all have these sorts of images in our heads when we think back to snowy days of our childhood. Welcome to the here and now – welcome to Kleinwalsertal! These five hiking tips are certain to inspire children and the young at heart.

Winter hiking at the Gottesacker panorama path | © Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen | Photographer: Dominik Berchtold

Fantastic views from the Gottesacker

The view from the mighty rocky plateau on the Hoher Ifen  and the snow dunes on the Gottesackerplateau with the Allgäu mountains in the background will even take the breath away from younger hikers from around the age of eight. This area is covered with deep snow from January to April and on pleasant days you can be bathed in sunshine for the duration of your hike. The kids can run ahead on the groomed hiking trail, which is very easy to walk on, and you can easily keep them within your sight. You can also hire a sledge from the Hahnenköpfle mountain station (there are a limited number available). The children will be all ears when you recount the Gottesacker legend: 

 ‘The wild and rugged plateau that lies between Ifen and the Gottesackerwänden (Gottesacker ridge), which is known as the Gottesacker, was in former times a verdant and bountiful alp where cattle would flourish. One day, a beggar stopped here to beg but was turned away with contempt. He cursed the alp. Lo and behold, an earthquake swallowed up the alp, storms and deluges raged and washed away the trees and earth leaving only the bleak rocks behind.’ (During the winter, the rocks and the deep holes in the rock are of course covered in metres of snow.)
 

Burmi in the Walserbus | © Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen | Photographer: Oliver Farys

The Burmi winter puzzle trail

Discover Burmis’ Adventure Land and solve some tricky puzzles while you are there. Walking from the Walserhaus in Hirschegg, you cross the Dürenboden and head towards Mittelberg. You then turn back at the reservoir and head back to the starting point. The Burmi puzzle trail is intended to help you to explore the area whilst solving exciting puzzles. You can collect the puzzle sheets from the tourist information office at the Walserhaus in Hirschegg. If you solve all the puzzles, you can claim a small prize. Here you find the tour.

Winter hiking in Kleinwalsertal | © Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen | Photographer: Oliver Farys

The Kesselschwand Nature Experience and Mahdtalweg

If you love exploring dense and shady forests next to mountain streams during the cold months of the year, you should definitely not pass up the opportunity to explore the charming nature experience Kesselschwand and the Mahdtalweg. You will wander past the enchanting Naturbrücke (natural bridge) in Egg in Riezlern (not passable in winter), continue on through tranquil woodland via Kesselschwand up to the Mahdtalweg. Beyond the crossroads, you will find the Eberlehof which is a farm where when you can see horses and small animals. This is a great place to interact with different types of animals. The Eberlehof is even open on Sundays and public holidays. You can take a break here and enjoy a drink and a snack.

Tobogganing in the Kleinwalsertal | © Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen | Photographer: Dominik Berchtold

Exciting toboggan rides

What would a family vacation in winter be without sledding or tobogganing? The five toboggan slopes in Mittelberg and Hirschegg are a popular winter offer for children and families! From short pleasures with up to 150 m of tobogganing fun to long runs of 1 km in length - you will get your money's worth.

 Winter hiking family | © Kleinwalsertal Tourism eGen | Photographer: Dominik Berchtold

A magical winter landscape on the Oberer Höhenweg

A simple route to follow, more snow than down in the valley and a breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains – the groomed Oberer Höhenweg trail between Hirschegg and Baad is an absolute delight for winter fans of all ages. Tramp leisurely through the snow holding Grandma by the hand, bombard big brother with snowballs or challenge Dad to a race – anything is possible here! The trail is easy to access via the Schöntalweg in Hirschegg or you can start further up the mountainside from the Heubergbahn cable car (Hirschegg) or the Zafernabahn (Mittelberg). The chair lifts at Heuberg and Zaferna also transport children’s buggies and mountain buggies up to a certain size. The rustic Sonna Alp restaurant at Zaferna is a great place to stop off for refreshments.
 

Hiking on rainy days | © Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen | Photographer: Dominik Berchtold

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