Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta – a report from the high alpine winter world

The snowshoe hike to Lake Silvretta It leads into a high-alpine landscape that would be virtually inaccessible without a guide. The combination of cable car, tunnel bus, and snowshoes quickly takes you far above the tree line, right into the heart of the wintry Silvretta region. The tour is well-organized but demands good physical condition and sure-footedness – and that's precisely what makes it so appealing.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - Snow-covered mountains under a bright blue sky, the sunlight reflecting off the snowy landscape and a few small buildings at the foot - the perfect backdrop for a snowshoe hike.

Important facts about the tour:

• Here you will find all dates and prices. 
• Meeting point: 9:45 a.m. at the valley station of the Vermuntbahn cable car
• Start of the snowshoe hike: approx. 10:25 a.m.
• Altitude: over 2,000 meters above sea level
• Pure walking time: approx. 2.5 to almost 3 hours
• Total duration: approximately 5.5 hours including train and bus journeys
• Elevation gain: approx. 250 meters
• Refreshment: Piz Buin Mountain Inn
• Return to the valley: approx. 3:30 pm

Meeting point and equipment

The meeting point is at 9:45 a.m. at the valley station of the Vermuntbahn cable car in Partenen. The valley station is not immediately recognizable as a classic gondola lift station, but rather a striking glass building, which is more reminiscent of a greenhouse. The easiest way to find it is to enter the valley station directly into Google Maps (Vermuntbahnstraße 45, 6794 Partenen). Don't worry if you don't see the gondola immediately – it only runs about every 20 minutes.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - A glass and brick building bearing the inscription "Silvretta" stands in a snow-covered mountain area, where parked cars indicate visitors ready for a snowshoe hike. In the background, a funicular railway climbs a wooded mountainside under a clear sky.

Those without their own equipment will be provided with snowshoes (be sure to specify your shoe size when registering), poles, and all necessary safety equipment. If you have the choice, it's worth opting for the newer snowshoe models. These feature a modern locking mechanism at the front (with a snap fastener) that holds the shoe much more securely than older models with classic straps – a clear advantage, especially in deep snow.

Access by train and tunnel bus

After collecting your equipment, you'll take the Vermuntbahn cable car up the mountain. Important: The ticket for the cable car is not included in the price of the snowshoe hike and must be purchased separately. You can find more information here. the ticket prices. 

At the top, small buses with 22 seats are already waiting. From here, a special part of the tour begins. The journey leads through narrow tunnels blasted into the rock, which were built long ago for the construction of the high-altitude reservoirs. After about five minutes, the bus passes the first reservoir without stopping. Then it continues uphill through another tunnel directly beneath the reservoir. After a total of about 10 to 15 minutes on the bus, the group gets off at a bend in the road.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta – view from inside a vehicle driving through a narrow, illuminated rock tunnel during a snowshoe hike. Two people can be seen in the front seats, the dashboard lights and the rugged tunnel walls in front of them.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - Snow-covered mountains and hills under a clear blue sky, with a winding path that is perfect for snowshoeing and dark green shrubs scattered across the snowy landscape.

Start of the snowshoe hike

The actual snowshoe hike begins around 10:25 a.m. The group consists of a maximum of 10 participants. The route is not always the same, as it depends on the weather and snow conditions. While it is already very green in the valley, there is continuous snow cover up here. The surrounding slopes are completely wintry, and several cross-country ski trails are also visible.

After putting on your snowshoes, it's time to take your first steps in the deep snow. A helpful tip from experience: If you're taller or heavier, it's best to walk further back in the group. The snow is already somewhat compacted there, so you won't sink in as deeply. For lighter people, walking will be correspondingly easier.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - Snow-covered mountains and hills under a clear blue sky, with two small figures on a snowshoe hike. The sunlight creates a bright, cheerful winter landscape with shadows on the slopes.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - A group of people enjoy a snowshoe hike through deep snow on a mountain trail under a clear blue sky. Snow-covered peaks and hills surround them, while a person in red trousers with poles leads the way.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - A group of six people enjoys a snowshoe hike, walking uphill in deep snow under a bright sun. Their long shadows stretch across the white landscape, with a clear blue sky and distant mountains in the background.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - Snow-covered mountains under a bright blue sky, with snowshoeing in the foreground and rugged peaks in the background.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - A group of people enjoy a snowshoe hike through the deep snow in a snowy mountain landscape under a bright blue sky, with high peaks in the background.

Snowshoeing on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta – snow-covered mountains under a clear blue sky, sunlight casting shadows on the slopes. In the distance, a few small figures enjoy a snowshoe hike, highlighting the vastness of this snowy landscape.

Out and about with guide Irena

Our tour is accompanied by Irena. Along the way, she not only explains the route but also provides very specific insights into the surroundings. From the Bielerhöhe The map shows which mountains are visible, names individual peaks, and explains their geographical location. We are still in Vorarlberg, but are already looking across to Tyrol – and further beyond towards Switzerland.

Her explanations about the animal world are particularly fascinating. We discover them at several points. fresh tracks in the snow, which Irena can clearly identify. Shortly afterwards, the reason becomes clear: In the steep slopes we observe several chamois. The reason they are so visible this winter is the current mild weather. According to Irena, in winters with heavy snowfall, they have to dig deep into the snow with their hooves to get to food – much more strenuous than under this winter's conditions.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - A snow-covered slope with exposed brown earth and rocks, ideal for a snowshoe hike, shows three dark-colored animals - probably marmots - scattered across the slope.

Avalanche situation and safety

During our tour, the avalanche warning level is 3. Irena explains very precisely why the route we are taking is still considered safe. The slopes on this side have already been cleared, so no dangerous avalanche is possible from above. Nevertheless, safety is taken very seriously; all participants are carrying avalanche transceivers.

The snowshoe hike leads partly cross-country through deep snow, and in places also over hollows and steeper sections. The tour is strenuous and requires good physical condition, but is rewarded with breathtaking views. At one point, we pass a snow depth gauge where the structure of the snowpack is clearly visible – an interesting insight into the assessment of avalanche risk.

Silvretta-Bielerhöhe snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - A group of people enjoy a snowshoe hike, walking single file through deep snow on a sunny day, surrounded by snow-covered mountains and a bright blue sky. Behind them, footprints wind through the untouched snow.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta – snow-covered mountains under a clear blue sky with brilliant sunshine. Animal tracks and snowshoe trails wind through the smooth snow, leading to distant peaks. The landscape is bright and serene.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta – Snow-covered mountains and a bright blue sky form the backdrop for a perfect snowshoe hike, with smooth, untouched snow in the foreground and rugged peaks in the background. A few rocks and faint tracks mark the snowy landscape.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - Snow-covered mountains and valleys under a clear blue sky, perfect for a snowshoe hike, with smooth, untouched snow in the foreground and rugged peaks in the distance.

View of Piz Buin and Ochsentaler Glacier

From an elevated vantage point, the view opens up to the Kleiner and Großer Piz Buin peaks. Directly below lies the Ochsentaler Glacier, clearly visible stretching beneath the summits. The high alpine landscape, the vastness, and the tranquility make this section one of the most impressive moments of the entire tour.

Silvretta-Bielerhoehe snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to the Silvrettasee - Snow-covered mountains under a bright blue sky, with smooth, untouched snowdrifts in the foreground - perfect for a snowshoe hike - while rocky peaks rise in the background and the bright sunlight casts sharp shadows on the snow.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - A snow-covered valley surrounded by rugged mountains under a clear blue sky, perfect for a snowshoe hike, with scattered rocks and animal tracks on the untouched snow.

Avalanche transceiver exercise and unexpected search operation

Towards the end of the hike, we practice using the avalanche transceiver. Three participants stand in the snow, set the device to "transmit," and navigate independently to the "location." The exercise clearly demonstrates how important calmness and a systematic approach are in an emergency.

Shortly afterward, one participant realizes he's lost his cell phone. Since the avalanche transceiver can't detect metal, a joint search begins. Just when hope is fading, Irena, of all people, finds the phone buried deep in the snow – a moment of immense relief.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - Two people in winter equipment stand with ski poles in the deep, uneven snow near a crevasse and enjoy a snowshoe hike amidst snow-covered mountains and a clear blue sky.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - A gloved hand holds a PIEPS avalanche transceiver displaying “28” during a snowshoe hike in a snowy mountain landscape, with distant people and rugged, sunlit peaks in the background.

Stop at the Piz Buin mountain inn

After almost three hours of pure walking time, we reach the [unclear] at around 1:30 pm. Piz Buin Mountain Inn. The stop for refreshments is firmly planned and comes at just the right time. Among other things, we'll be eating Kaspressknödel soup, Tyrolean Gröstl, Kaiserschmarrn, and Germknödel – hearty fare that's perfect after the hike.

We'll stay here for about an hour before taking the bus back to the train at around 2:45 pm.

Silvretta-Bielerhoehe snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to the Silvretta lake - people dining in a glass restaurant after a refreshing snowshoe hike, with breathtaking views of the snow-covered mountains and the bright blue sky outside; sunlight streams in and illuminates the cozy scene.

Silvretta-Bielerhöhe snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - Snow-covered mountains under a clear blue sky, with a frozen lake in the foreground. Signs and a map near the lakeshore indicate popular snowshoe hikes, while sunlight on the right side of the image creates a bright glare.

Snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - A small white hut stands alone on a snowy slope, in the foreground deep snow and snowshoe hiking tracks, in the background rugged, snow-covered mountains rise up under a bright blue sky.

Silvretta-Bielerhöhe snowshoe hike on the Bielerhöhe to Lake Silvretta - A modern ski lodge with black and white buildings sits on a snow-covered slope, surrounded by snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky. People with skis and equipment – some ready for a snowshoe hike – are standing near the entrance.

Return journey to the valley

The tunnel bus and then the Vermunt cable car take you back down to the valley. The tour ends around 3:30 pm – physically demanding, but very impressive. The snowshoe hike to Lake Silvretta It remains in memory as an intense winter experience that would not have been possible without a local guide.

There are also other recommended tours for Gargellen and Kristberg 🙂