Snow-capped peaks, white trails, and peace of mind. These are just some of the reasons why many Italians decide each year to go snowshoeing in the heart of nature blanketed by snow. Whether experienced or not, taking a walk on the snow can be a magical and relaxing experience.
The best way to approach it is to be well informed about the trails and the necessary equipment, so you never go wrong. Above all, however, it’s important to know the best destinations in Italy. Below is a list of the most fascinating places to go snowshoeing.
Snowshoes: What They Are and How to Use Them
Snowshoes, racquets, caspe, ciaspe, and ciastre. There are many names used to refer to snowshoes, but the concept is always the same. They are tools with a long history that have allowed mountain lovers to walk on fresh snow. A much-loved tool, so much so that
snowshoe racing has over time become a sport of considerable complexity. It is also an object with a fairly simple function, based on increasing the surface area underfoot: a frame with a web of rope, plastic, or other materials that prevents the foot from sinking into fresh snow. Over time, it has become a sport of considerable complexity. It is also an object with a fairly simple function, based on increasing the surface area of the foot: a snowshoe with a web of rope, plastic, or other materials that prevents the foot from sinking into fresh snow.
There are different types of snowshoes
that vary depending on the person wearing them and the type of terrain they will face along their route. Long snowshoes are perfect for flat areas with very deep snow, while they are not suitable for steeper, more rugged terrain.Depending on shape and material, the main types of snowshoes are called bean-shaped snowshoes, Canadian snowshoes, and modern snowshoes.
Another important feature to keep in mind when deciding to buy snowshoes is the need to first wear suitable boots. These sometimes need to have grooves designed to fit the snowshoes, and generally it’s better if they are high and non-slip.
Another important feature to keep in mind when deciding to buy snowshoes is the need to first wear suitable boots. These sometimes need grooves designed to fit the snowshoes, and generally, it's better if they are high and non-slip.
There are many and varied trails in the Alps, both in terms of the types of locations and local cultures, not to mention the different levels of difficulty. Fortunately, there are both hikes dedicated to experts and much simpler ones for beginners.
One of the best ways to ensure you are never at risk is undoubtedly to choose a nature hike organized with an alpine guide.
Alpine guides have completed a long and particularly demanding training course that makes them the most competent experts in the field, guaranteeing the safety of everyone who chooses to undertake a snowshoe hike or any other activity with them. Snowshoes on your feet, here are some walks to take through woods, valleys, and mountains at a more or less brisk pace. Snowshoeing in Valle d’Aosta: The Most Scenic Routes
Valle d’Aosta
hosts a large number of truly scenic mountain routes from a naturalistic point of view, especially when it comes to snowy landscapes. Among these are many itineraries in Val d’Ayas, Val Ferret, Gressoney Valley, Val Grisenche, and Val Veny. But also the hosts a large number of truly scenic mountain trails from a naturalistic point of view, especially when it comes to snowy landscapes. Among these are many routes in Val d’Ayas, Val Ferret, Gressoney Valley, Val Grisenche, and Val Veny.
, a famous tourist destination within the Gran Paradiso National Park, which nonetheless offers various opportunities for observation for lovers of almost untouched nature.If you move from Cogne to Valmiana, you immerse yourself in forest trails where you can observe wild animals including ibex and large birds such as the golden eagle. In the almost untouched. If from Cogne you decide to move to Valmiana, in fact, you immerse yourself in forest trails where you can observe wild animals including ibex and large birds such as the golden eagle.
, also in Valle d’Aosta, a 2-kilometer snowshoe hike can turn into a breathtaking experience. This is thanks to the route near the Gabiet dam, with a total elevation gain of 100 meters, and the lake, instead, also in the Aosta Valley, a 2-kilometer snowshoe hike can turn into a breathtaking experience. This is thanks to the route around the Gabiet dam area, with a total elevation gain of 100 meters, and the Where to Walk in the Snow in Piedmont Piedmont
, with its 25,000 square kilometers and municipalities ranging in altitude from 76 meters above sea level to 2,035, offers its visitors a wealth of opportunities for exciting mountain holidays.
With its valleys, mountains, and picturesque lakes, famous ski resorts, and always an alternative better than the usual holiday, Piedmont is, in short, one of the main places to consider for snowshoeing., with its 25,000 square kilometers in size and municipalities with altitudes ranging from 76 meters above sea level to 2,035, offers its visitors a wealth of opportunities for exciting mountain holidays.
Val Varaita , crossed by the homonymous stream. Inside, for example, you can cross a series of trails with snowshoes leading to mountain huts. If you move towards Lake Bagnour and then Lake Secco, you follow a 4-hour path through the stone pine forest of Alevè, effectively seeing unique landscapes in all of.
Europe from a naturalistic point of view., crossed by the homonymous stream. Inside it, for example, you can snowshoe along a series of trails leading to mountain refuges. If you move towards Lake Bagnour and then Lake Secco, you follow a 4-hour path through the stone pine forest of Alevè, effectively seeing unique landscapes throughout Snowshoeing is also splendid in Val di Susa , where there is more than one trail for beginners. For example, starting from the village of Thures and taking the trail to Cima Bosco, you follow a route with a low avalanche risk.
This allows you to move with snowshoes not only safely but also with the opportunity to recognize mountains belonging to different valleys: Argentera, Chisone, Ripa, and Thuras. Where You Can Snowshoe in Lombardy: Easy TrailsFor example, Milan residents will have no trouble reaching Val Seriana.
In fact, in the province of Bergamo, Zambla Alta (96 km from
Milan
) makes it possible to reach the Capanna 2000 refuge on foot, with a spectacular view of Monte Arera. Thus, a mountain trail that is very easy to reach allows
even those more accustomed to city life to rediscover the nature ofLombardy Livigno, however, is not so close. This internationally renowned ski resort offers a forest trail leading to Alpe delle Mine. Snowshoes thus become an excellent tool to discover the unspoiled nature of Lombardy. Once back from your snowshoeing spots, you can always choose to take a walk.
in town. Livigno also offers interesting cultural routes, such as visiting the museum on local history and the rural roots of the area.
Val di Non: Among the Most Famous Alpine Snowshoeing Routes Among the most famous group snowshoe hikes in northern Italy are those in Trentino, such as the one connecting Val di Non to Ultimo Valley. It is a fairly long walk but allows snowshoers to rest at many refreshment points. Dolomites: Where to Snowshoe Between Veneto and Friuli
Between Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Dolomites are a group of mountains in the Eastern Alps. Characterized by a predominant rock composition called dolomite, they offer unique colors, vegetation, and wildlife. So much so that UNESCO has declared them a World Heritage Site.
Certainly among the most famous snowshoe hikes to do in groups in northern Italy are those in Trentino, such as the one connecting Val di Non to Ultimo Valley. It is a fairly long walk but allows snowshoers to rest at a large number of refreshment points.
some Dolomite locations are among the most beloved snowshoeing spots in all of Europe
Between Veneto, Trentino Alto-Adige, and Friuli Venezia Giulia, the Dolomites are a group of mountains in the Eastern Alps. Characterized by a predominant rock composition called dolomite, they offer unique colors, vegetation, and wildlife. So much so that UNESCO has declared them a World Heritage Site.
fame of Cortina d’Ampezzo , from which you start to reach Rifugio Scoiattoli, then pass by a series of rock towers (Inglese, Quarta Alta, and Quarta Bassa) up to Rifugio Cinque Torri. A true spectacle of nature, where the towers are nothing but majestic pointed vertical rocks.In Friuli, you can visit the Ampezzo Valley, starting from Sauris di Sopra, from which you start to reach Rifugio Scoiattoli, then passing by a series of rock towers (Inglese, Quarta Alta, and Quarta Bassa) up to Rifugio Cinque Torri. A true spectacle of nature, where the towers are nothing more than majestic, pointed vertical rock formations.
Udine ) towards the locality of Beinte, then passing by Malga Ruke to return to Sauris di Sotto. These are places inhabited not only by Ladin speakers, still today at the foot of the Gran Sasso , one of the most recommended itineraries is the one from Prati di Tivo to Piano del Laghetto. During the snowshoe hike, you can see the landscape towards Corno Grande, the Adriatic Sea, and the Gran Sasso range. A relatively easy walk, though 10 kilometers long.The Best Place to Snowshoe? In Good Company
What is fundamental to remember, however, is that the most spectacular snowshoeing routes also require good company.There are many organized trips that allow not only a walk in nature and in different locations than usual but also the chance to meet new friends, as happens with Meeters—just sign up and find the right event for you.
The Best Place to Snowshoe? In Good Company
What is fundamental to remember, however, is that the most spectacular snowshoeing routes also require good company.
There are many organized trips that not only allow you to take a walk in nature and in places different from the usual, but also to meet new friends as happens with Meeters—just sign up and find the right event for you.