Showshoeing
Showshoeing in winter wonderland Andermatt
Do you love snowy woods, crunchy snow, peace and solitude? Showshoeing will take you far away from the ski lifts and pistes in a flash. In and around Andermatt, many routes are signposted and easy to reach.
Beginner route with snowshoes
Just getting started with snowshoes? If so, we recommend an easy circuit in Andermatt. You’ll start out at the village bridge and head toward the Unteralp Valley, with Mettlen as your destination – the highest point on the route. You’ll easily recognise it by the unmatched view of the icefall on the Gurschenbach stream. From there, it’s back toward the village. You’ll cross the ski slope on Gemsstock that descends to the valley and pass by the Brunnen clubhouse. Make another stop here and enjoy the view of Hospental in the distance and toward the Schöllenen gorge. From there, it’s on to the Mariahilf chapel and then back to the starting point. How does that sound?
The view is worth the effort
The starting point for this snowshoe tour is Hospental. The route will first take you along the old Gotthard Pass road, heading toward Winterhorn. That’s where the ascent to Mittleregg begins. The view of the Gotthard Pass and its deep snow cover is unmatched, and the pass, so heavily travelled in summer, is almost eerily calm. Next, you’ll head down across an old quarry and then trek back along the river via the old Gotthard Pass road again. You will have surmounted a change in elevation of 370 metres. Plan about four hours for this tour.
Charming pass roads
In winter, the roads over the Furka, Gotthard, and Oberalp Passes are closed to vehicle traffic. The passages, so busy in summer, lie quiet beneath a thick blanket of snow. This affords you a wonderful opportunity to discover these regions. The Saint-Gotthard Massif, for instance, beckons with quiet and solitude. Heading toward the Furka Pass, you’ll reach the Albert Heim hut of the Swiss Alpine Club. From there, you’ll have a sensational view of the mighty peaks nearby – looking out from the cosy sun terrace with a hot drink in your hand. The hut is almost always serviced. When descending, another stop beckons: the Hotel Tiefenbach. Not snow covered, but just as charming: the Lukmanier Pass. From the top of the pass, hours-long snowshoe tours will lead you through an area whose scenery is unmatched.
Safety first
When snowshoeing, you’re travelling off the safe pistes. The trails are marked, but they sometimes cross through territory that is exposed to avalanches. Experience in open terrain, skill in using avalanche gear, and serious preparation, as well as an overview of the current avalanche situation, are essential requirements for every tour. If you’re unfamiliar with the area, or if you’re unsure about your off-piste abilities, we recommend that you arrange for a mountain sports expert to accompany you.
