Cross-Country Skiing Areas
Cross-country skiing was originally used for getting around and transporting goods. Today, classic cross-country skiing and skate skiing have many fans. Some love discovering the quiet of forests and open winter landscapes. Others prefer athletic pursuits.
700 kilometers of trails in the Allgäu
The Allgäu has over 700 kilometers of trails, from gentle hills to steep Alpine slopes near Oberstdorf. There is probably a favorite trail here for everyone. Bad Hindelang offers around 50 km of skate-skiing and classic trails for all ability levels.
Cross-Country Skiing Areas
Date: 30/09/2026
Trail network in the Bavarian Forest
The extensive trail network of the Bavarian Forest lies on the border with the Czech Republic and Austria. Hundreds of kilometers of groomed trails offer both athletic challenges and peaceful routes. Bodenmais, for example, is considered one of Europe’s best cross-country skiing areas, with highly reliable snow conditions. Immaculately groomed trails lead classic and skate skiers through fascinating natural scenery.
The Ore Mountains: a cross-country skiing paradise
Saxony’s Ore Mountains are a cross-country skiing paradise. The Kammloipe trail lies in the Vogtland between Schöneck and Johanngeorgenstadt. At 36 km, it is one of Germany’s most beautiful, longest, and most snow-reliable trails. Kurort Oberwiesenthal offers around 75 km of trails for all ability levels.
Cross-country skiing in the Fichtel Mountains
The Fichtel Mountains in northeastern Bavaria offer 85 kilometers of trails on the Ochsenkopf. The spa town of Bischofsgrün is an ideal place to get started.
Harz: around 500 km of cross-country ski trails
In the Harz, around 500 kilometers of trails take beginners and experienced skiers through picturesque countryside around the Kahler Asten. For visitors from northern Germany, the Harz is the most easily reached cross-country skiing area, with plenty of trails.
Schliersee-Tegernsee winter sports area for cross-country skiing
Upper Bavaria offers beautifully groomed trails amid idyllic mountain scenery. Around 150 kilometers of groomed trails await in the popular Schliersee-Tegernsee winter sports area. Beginners and biathlon stars alike will find ideal routes in the cross-country skiing mecca of Ruhpolding. Cross-country skiers can enjoy the well-maintained trail network in the Zugspitze region near Garmisch-Partenkirchen until May.
Cross-country skiing areas in the Sauerland
The Sauerland offers almost 1,400 kilometers of trails for all ability levels amid beautiful scenery. This upland region on the border between North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse is exceptionally well groomed for winter hiking and cross-country skiing. The holiday resorts of Winterberg and Willingen make good starting points.
Cross-country skiing in Thuringia
The German forest region of Thuringia offers fascinating natural scenery for cross-country skiing. Almost 75 kilometers of trails of every difficulty level meet premium standards, with loop routes and no oncoming traffic.
