Packing for a Winter Walking Holiday
Getting out on the trails on a winter walking holiday is one of life’s most underrated pleasures. The crisp, clean air. The often-overlooked beauty of the landscape’s winter barrenness. If you’re lucky, an atmospheric morning frost or gentle dusting of snow. It all adds up to one of the most satisfying ways to explore some of Europe’s most breathtaking scenery.
To enjoy the season to its full potential, the right winter wear is essential. Packing the right cold weather clothing can mean the difference between enjoyably beautifully crisp walks through captivating winter landscapes and cold, miserable slogs through inhospitable terrain.
Unsure where to begin? Read on for tips on the best winter clothes for walking, and what to pack.
Winter Wear: What to Pack for Walking?
There is nothing more important than having the right winter wear for a cold-weather walking holiday. Pack appropriately for the weather and the activities you want to do, and you’ll enjoy a beautiful getaway on the trails, embracing the chilly weather and marvelling at fairytale snowy scenes.
Fail to pack appropriately, and there’s a good chance you’ll end up cold, wet and rueing the day you ever decided that walking in winter was a good idea – no matter how enchanting the scenery.
The good news? Packing correctly for a winter break doesn’t have to be difficult – once you know what you need, the right packing list will see you on your way. Take a look at this packing list – if you need anything, make sure to read the tips below before shopping around.
Inntravel’s Winter Wear Packing List
Accessories
Headwear: you lose the most heat from your head. A winter beanie or balaclava will help you keep warm
Gloves/mittens: insulated and ideally waterproof. Glove liners can add an extra layer of warmth if you’re susceptible to cold fingers
Neck gaiter (‘buff’) or scarf: to protect your neck and face against the cold
Footwear
Hiking boots: these should be insulated and waterproof, and will need solid traction and ankle support for icy trails
Gaiters: to help keep snow out of your boots
Sport specific clothes
Ski jacket and salopettes: useful if you want to give snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing a go
Swimming gear: for enjoying hotel pool and spa facilities once you’ve finished your walk
‘Everyday’ clothes
Comfortable post-walk clothes: you won’t be walking 24/7! Pack a couple of cosy outfits for relaxing in your hotel and snuggling up with a hot chocolate
Smart casual dinner outfit: not essential, but if you want to
Equipment
Rucksack: a good day hiking rucksack should be 20-30L in volume, and have space for extra layers, water, snacks and a first-aid kit
Walking poles: these can improve grip and reduce fatigue – check whether your hotel offers these on a hire basis if you want to lighten your
Compass/GPS device: useful to have (and know how to use) for anyone walking on winter trails; vital for those tackling more challenging routes
Water bladder: Camelbaks (and similar brands)
First-aid kit: it’s always good to be prepared
Chemical hand warmers: to slip into your gloves or boots when the chill sets in
Five tips for finding the perfect winter walking clothes
1. You can always layer up
Packing layers gives you flexibility. Whilst the weather might be cold, you’ll find the temperature still varies across the day, depending on weather and sun position – and in winter, there’s always the chance of inclement weather. Layering your clothes allows you to adjust to changing conditions for maximum comfort whilst walking.
2. A good rucksack brings it all together
Look for a lightweight rucksack of around 20-30L volume. This should give enough space for layers, food, water and first-aid kit.
Rucksack technology has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. Lightweight materials, adjustable frames and back ventilation systems offer new levels of comfort for walkers – it might be time to treat yourself to an upgrade.
3. Look for lightweight, packable options
Chunky layers take up space in your rucksack and weigh you down. When shopping for winter walking clothes, look for insulating and waterproof layers that are lightweight and easy to pack. ‘Packable’ down jackets that stuff into a small sack (or fold into their own pockets) are a particularly good option here.
4. Pay attention to footwear
As anyone who has hiked with substandard footwear will tell you, there are few things as miserable as a long walk with soggy feet! Due to the colder, damper weather conditions, your summer walking shoes might not be ideal here – look for insulated walking boots with good traction and ankle support.
5. Know your labels and what they mean
Finding the right clothes is much easier if you know what the labels on outdoor equipment mean. Here are some common terms and how to interpret them:
- Waterproof: resists rain and snow, keeping the wearer dry
- Gore-Tex: breathable waterproof fabric – widely considered the ultimate in waterproof technology, though several alternatives are now available
- Windproof: blocks the chilling effect of wind
- Thermal: retains body heat and provides insulation during cold temperatures
- Breathable: allows air to pass through to help moisture evaporate and prevent overheating
- Moisture-wicking: moves moisture to the exterior of the fabric to keep the wearer dry and comfortable during physical activity
Now You Have the Gear: 3 Winter Walking Destinations to Discover
Fuschl-am-See, Austria
Discover the fairytale landscapes of the Austrian Lake District at their winter best with a stay in Fuschl-am-See. This traditional village feels aeons away from the region’s larger resorts – expect beautifully isolated walking and snowshoeing trails, and family-run gasthaus that eschew apre-ski parties for something altogether more relaxing. When you’re ready to take a break from the trails, the elegant city of Salzburg awaits – a fascinating day trip whether you’re more familiar with it as Mozart’s birthplace or the setting for the ever-popular Christmas classic, The Sound of Music.
Discover Fuschl’s alpine walking on this holiday, staying at the traditional Hotel Seerose
Pertisau, Austria
Spend your days exploring the Tyrol’s spectacular Alpine walking trails then relax with views over frosty Lake Achensee, enjoying the village of Pertisau’s hearty Austrian hospitality. With a range of routes available, Pertisau and its surrounding areas cater to both winter hiking enthusiasts and those that prefer to take things at a little more leisurely pace. Enjoy views over the peaks or wander through the valleys and along the lakeshore – stopping at your choice of Tyrolean inn to warm up by the fire is a must.
Enjoy a week in Pertisau, staying at the luxurious Hotel Wiesenhof
Lauenen, Switzerland
The Bernese Oberland is a bucket-list destination for walkers, for good reason – each season brings a new type of beauty to this region of Switzerland, each as intoxicating as the last. The village of Launen is a perfect base from which to explore winter’s pristine snowscapes, whether you’re looking for relaxing panoramic trails accessible via cable car or something more challenging.
Taking a break from the trails for a day? Enjoy neighbouring Gstaad’s world-famous network of ski slopes, or put your feet up on the GoldenPass Panoramic Train as it descends to Lake Geneva, offering some of the finest views you’ll ever experience by rail as it does so.
Relax in Launen, and enjoy the warm hospitality of chalet hotel Alpenland
What to Expect on Inntravel's Winter Walking Holidays:
Do you crave the freedom to explore without constantly having to conform to a guided tour schedule – whilst wishing that you could access the local knowledge an experienced tour operator can provide?
If so, it sounds like our holidays might be for you. At Inntravel, we build all our trips around the premise that discovering somewhere new on your own terms is a joy, whilst taking care of the logistics and making sure you have all the information you need to experience the destination at its best.
We’ll provide maps, GPS device files and detailed walking directions for all the routes on your holiday, book your accommodation and give you in-depth recommendations about what else to do whilst you’re there. And, if you have any questions at all, we’re just one phone call away.
Accommodation
From cosy bed and breakfasts to luxurious Alpine lodges, we make sure all our accommodation offers a warm welcome and an excellent night’s sleep. Where possible, we opt for boutique, locally-owned accommodation that gives back to the community and offers a taste of local culture – pool and spa access is a big draw too.
Food and Drink
As keen foodies ourselves, we know how much discovering tantalising local delicacies adds to a trip – so we make every effort to make sure you have every opportunity to enjoy fantastic meals made with local produce (perhaps with a glass or two of regional tipple on the side).
Depending on the holiday, we’ll include meals in the overall price – either at your hotel or at well-regarded local restaurants. If your holiday doesn’t include meals, our experts are always happy to help with a hotel recommendation or two and can help with advance bookings.
Support
We take care of luggage transfers, book any advance transport you need and provide you with in-depth walking information (plus plenty of other recommendations for when you need a rest day).
We also offer 24/7 customer service, so if anything hasn’t gone as planned or you have any questions at all during your trip, you have a friendly team on hand to sort it out for you.
How Fit Do I Need to Be for an Inntravel Winter Holiday?
These are questions that many of our customers ask, and we’re glad they do – it’s always good to be prepared, after all.
The answer will depend on how fit you are currently, and the type of holiday you choose. Our winter walking holidays encompass everything from short strolls to strenuous hikes, so there’s no ‘standard’ level of fitness we can offer as a guide.
When browsing Inntravel holidays, we recommend you check the holiday’s walking grade so you can accurately assess the level of fitness needed. We use a scale of 1-3 to indicate the difficulty and intensity of each of our getaways:
Grade 1: Easy walking with few ascent /descents, but perhaps the occasional long day
Grade 1-2: Easy-to-moderate walking with some ascents/descents, and occasional longer days
Grade 2: Moderate walking on varied terrain, with some long days and regular ascents/descents
Grade 2-3: Moderate-to-challenging walking on more rugged terrain with significant ascents/descents on most days. Depending on the holiday, you may need to know how to navigate and use a compass.
Grade 3: Challenging hikes, featuring long days with significant ascent / descent on challenging terrain. Compass skills may be required
It’s always a good idea to get some regular movement in before an activity holiday as this will help reduce the risk of injury putting a damper on your holiday. As far as a more intense training regime goes, this shouldn’t be needed if you choose a holiday that fits with your existing fitness level.
Of course, challenging yourself can be fun – but if you know you’re taking a step up from the usual, please factor in time to train before your departure date!