31 Dec. 2018 · Winter Activities

Louisa Hieke

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All about Cross-Country Skiing

Three cross-country ski runs, 50 km and teams, whomake sure it's all prepared during winter. We introduce, the heroes of the trails and everything you need to know about cross-country skiing in Kleinwalsertal.

When we slide down in the fresh snow with our skis, feel the breeze on our faces or just run out of steam, our cross-country heroes have already done their job: and this early in the morning at dawn. In the evening, the trails are honed again - ready for the next day. If it weren't for them, our trail network would not be so well developed. We love this winter sport, where you can feel the silence, the effort in your hands and get to places that you otherwise would not see. We introduce the our cross-country tracks and their heroes:

Schwende Crosscountry Trail

The Schwendeloipe crosscountry trail leads over the Straußberg up to Gasthof Hörnlepass and back again via Außerwald.

It scores points with its sunny location and cross-country skiing through a beautiful and varied winter landscape and a panoramic view of the Kleinwalsertal and Oberallgäu mountains.

Facts

12 km cross-country trail for classic technique and skating technique
easy-medium difficulty

Entrances

Gasthof Bergblick
Gasthof Hörnlepass

Schwarzwasser Crosscountry Trail

The Schwarzwasser crosscountry trail starts in the Au and takes you on a circular route to the Riezler district of Egg and through Ladstatt to Wäldele. The Schwarzwasser crosscountry trail is the most challenging of the three trails in Kleinwalsertal with its many short but steep ascents and descents. It leads through a pristine winter landscape and through the quiet, tranquil districts of Kleinwalsertal.

Facts

12 km trail exclusively for classic technique
moderately difficult - difficult

Entrances

Egg
Au sports ground
Wäldele

Steinbock Crosscountry Trail

The Steinbock crosscountry trail leads from the entrance to Mittelberg via the Bödmen district to Baad and into the Derratal valley. It leads in several loops over the Birkenwies, the Gemstelboden and through the Wiesele.

The Steinbock crosscountry trail is a very snow-sure trail. It is relatively centrally located and offers an impressive alpine winter landscape with cross-country sections in Gemsteltal and Derra-Tal.

Facts

15 km of trails for classic technique
9 km of trails for skating technique
easy-medium difficulty

Entrances

Birkenwies
Aparthotel
Mittelberg / Tobel
Pond
Baad

Good reasons for a cross-country skiing trip in Kleinwalsertal

Cross-country skiing as a full-body workout - over 600 muscles are in action
Cross-country skiing as a detox for the mind - like meditation on skis
Cross-country skiing as a challenge - technically challenging sport in classic and skating technique
Cross-country skiing as a sport for all generations - from children to senior citizens

Rules of conduct on the crosscountry trails in the Kleinwalsertal

Be considerate of others
Observe signaling, running direction and running technique
Choice of track and piste: In the Schwarzwasserloipe you must ski in the right-hand track and in the skating technique on the right, but in the Schwendeloipe and the Steinbockloipe you must ski in the left-hand track or on the left. Cross-country skiers in groups must ski one behind the other.
Overtaking is permitted on the right or left. The skier in front does not have to give way. However, they should give way if they can do so safely.
When meeting on the Schwarzwasserloipe, everyone must swerve to the right. In the Schwende and Steinbock cross-country ski trails, skiers must swerve to the left. The downhill skier has priority.
When overtaking, being overtaken and in the event of encounters, poles must be kept close to the body.
Adjusting your speed to the conditions
If you stop, step off the trail. A fallen cross-country skier must clear the trail as quickly as possible.
In the event of an accident, everyone is obliged to provide assistance.
Everyone, whether witness or participant, whether responsible or not, must give their personal details in the event of an accident.

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Out and about on narrow boards on the cross-county skiing trails

After discovering ski touring this winter, I have become very open-minded about strapping different types of skis to my feet. My alpine skis were therefore facing new competition last weekend in the form of cross-country skis!