The view from the summit of the 2,962-metre-high Zugspitze of the winter-white mountain world, the deep snow-covered valleys and the seemingly endless expanse is overwhelming and whets the appetite for the planned hiking tour. The special thing: With the Zugspitzbahn we reach the Zugspitz glacier with its panoramic platform effortlessly, without any great exertion.

The Bayerische Zugspitzbahn offers two ways to get to the summit of the Zugspitze. The rack railway starts in Garmisch-Partenkirchen with stops in Hammersbach, Grainau and Eibsee. The ride up to the Zugspitzplatt takes 45 minutes. The high alpine world already captivates you there, then the glacier cable car takes you the last few minutes to the top of the viewing platform. Faster and more spectacular, the newer Zuspitze cable car floats from Eibsee station to Germany's highest mountain peak in just 10 minutes. When visibility is good, the view of an estimated 400 mountain peaks in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy and a distant view of up to 250 kilometres is magnificent. Tip: Webcams on the internet provide information on the current weather situation and visibility.

A panorama cabin on the Tyrolean Zugspitzbahn, which can carry up to 100 passengers at a time in a ten-minute ride, takes us back down into the valley to Ehrwald. From there we walk to the Romantik Hotel Spielmann. For the return journey there is a regional train connection between Ehrwald and Grainau (and vice versa). Owners of a TOP SNOW CARD (Ski Pass from 2 days) travel free of charge by train in winter. There is also a free bus that runs five times a day all year round on the route from Ehrwald to Garmisch via Grainau.

The hike
The starting point of the day trip is Grainau. The destination: Ehrwald in Tyrol. The hike can be started from either place, and here as well as there, Romantik hotels await their guests at the end of a beautiful day's hiking. From the Romantik Alpenhotel Waxenstein in Grainau, it takes about 1.5 hours to reach the valley station of the Zugspitzbahn at Lake Eibsee. The slightly ascending path leads over the Badersee lake through mixed forest along hiking trails up to the Eibsee lake, 1,000 m above sea level. In between, beautiful views of the mountains of the Ammergebirge open up. On the way back, the trail leads from the valley station of the Tyrolean Zugspitzbahn along a slightly sloping hiking path parallel to the access road to Ehrwald.

Even if skis and snowboards are the usual equipment for winter sports, hiking boots and snowshoes are also highly recommended for winter activities. Because you rarely get as close to nature as you do on snow-covered hiking trails. Read here: the most beautiful tours in the Alps.

Oberstdorf in the Allgäu

Around Oberstdorf, hikers are spoilt for choice with around 140 kilometres of winter hiking trails. Whether into the remote Stillachtal valley or across snow-covered meadows and through mysterious mountain forests to Einödsbach, a lonely hamlet - the otherwise lively traditional town in the Allgäu has plenty to offer for those who are also looking for some peace and quiet. One attraction is the Heini Klopfer ski jump - also known as the Leaning Tower of Oberstdorf. The ski jump can be visited in the winter season by chairlift and inclined lift up to the viewing platform and offers a wide view of the Freibergsee lake and the Stillachtal valley.

Romantik hotels in the vicinity: Romantik Hotel Freiberg

Upper Bavaria

A winter fairy tale with a view of the peaks awaits hikers at the Eibsee near Garmisch. The crystal-clear lake lies directly below the Zugspitze and is rightly considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the Bavarian Alps. It takes a good two hours to complete the groomed circular trail, even in winter. After every bend you have a new beautiful view of the shimmering green lake with its eight small islands. The trail is suitable for the whole family - in snowy conditions it is most fun with sledges.

Romantik hotels in the vicinity: Romantik Alpenhotel Waxenstein

When the fresh snow crunches under your feet and the cold winter air clears your head of all ballast - then you look forward to a cosy rest in one of the numerous inns and snack stations along the hiking trails. Austria offers plenty of everything.

Salzburger Land

The winter hiking paradise of Salzburger Land delights guests with kilometres of cleared winter hiking trails leading through snow-covered forests. Particularly impressive is the 12 km long high-altitude hiking trail at 1,600 m on the "Roßbrand", which is easily accessible by the Papageno cable car. Or the romantic stream path near Forstau in Pongau, which is illuminated from nightfall - an impressive winter spectacle.

The fantastically beautiful surroundings of the Gastein Valley with its deep snow-covered nature also invite you to experience winter hikes. There are over 100 km of idyllic winter hiking trails at various altitudes.

More information: www.salzburgerland.com/

Romantik hotels in the vicinity: Romantik Hotel Zell am See

Styria

From rugged to cosy, the landscape as well as the winter hiking offers of the province bordering on Salzburg Land to the east, whose best-known holiday area is probably Ramsau am Dachstein. With over 70 km of paths for winter hiking, the high plateau offers ideal conditions for enjoying nature on foot. Romantics will also find wonderful winter hiking trails in Peter Rosegger's Waldheimat around the mountain village of Fischbach in north-eastern Styria.

Romantik hotels in the vicinity: Romantik Seehotel Jägerwirt

The sunny south side of the Alps is the best place to enjoy winter. Lunar cities, rustic villages, quiet alpine pastures - the South Tyrolean countryside is so rich in facets.

Alpe di Siusi

Snow stomping with a view of the Dolomites: On one of the highest alpine pastures (1,680 m) in the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park, a magnificent mountain panorama awaits hikers. The Alpe di Siusi cable car takes you up to the sunny high plateau. There you can comfortably enjoy the snow-covered landscape on prepared paths with only slight inclines. Guided snowshoe tours are a special highlight.

More information: www.seiseralm.it/

Romantik hotels in the vicinity: Romantik Hotel Turm

Merano

From the snow to the thermal baths - the ideal mix: first a hearty winter hike on Merano 2000, the snowy skiing and hiking area up to 2,300 m above the Art Nouveau town with Italian flair, then in the valley soothing sauna bathing or relaxing massages in the Merano thermal baths - this is pure holiday bliss.

More information: www.meranerland.org

Romantik hotels in the vicinity: Romantik Hotel Oberwirt

Of course, Switzerland, with its magnificent mountain panoramas and glaciers, is virtually predestined for a hike in winter. The tours offer indescribable views - and often a nice stop for refreshments at the end.

Engadine

The Philosophenweg is considered one of the most beautiful winter hiking trails in Switzerland. The Engadine lakes from St. Moritz to Maloja are literally at your feet. Its starting point is at the mountain station of the funicular railway that goes up from Samedan/Punt Muragl to Muottas Muragl. In a large loop, the route leads gently up and down in constant alternation. At the end of the tour, you can either take the funicular back down to Samedan - or treat yourself to a racy descent on the Engadine's only toboggan run.

More information: www.engadin.stmoritz.ch

Romantik hotels in the vicinity: Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl

Bernese Oberland

The sunny high-altitude hike in Beatenberg on the Niederhorn affords dream views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and lets you gaze down on Lake Thun. The route runs alternately through forests and across snow-covered alpine meadows with great views. Even though this is not a designated sledging trail, many visitors take their sleds along for the ride on the snide sections. On foot or on skids - the wintry tour is a pleasure in any case.

Romantik hotels in the vicinity: Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof