Where in Europe has the best conditions for hiking in early winter? Snowy places may have deep slushy snow at this time so I'm ruling Norway out for example. Maybe Poland's mountains or Ecrins park in southern France??
PS I don't mind snow shoeing once it's powdery. I'm just trying to avoid tons of melting slush.

Bermo wrote:Where in Europe has the best conditions for hiking in early winter? Snowy places may have deep slushy snow at this time so I'm ruling Norway out for example. Maybe Poland's mountains or Ecrins park in southern France??
PS I don't mind snow shoeing once it's powdery. I'm just trying to avoid tons of melting slush.

In Bavaria the first snow comes normally at the beginning of December.

- Karwendel
http://www.summitpost.org/area/range/174830/karwendel.html

- Wetterstein
http://www.summitpost.org/area/range/172662/wettersteingebirge.html

- Bavarian Pre Alps
http://www.summitpost.org/area/range/243411/bavarian-pre-alps.html

Does anybody know if there is any snow on the Triglav, Slovenia now?
I plan to go there by 20th October and I am not a fan of the snow...

ide katt - ha jól látom 6 cm most... érdemes elolvasni az egész Triglav oldalt[/quote]

Ecrins is indeed a splendid area.

If you look for good weather conditions, you could head to Corsica. The hike on trail GR20 through this island (12-15 days) is unforgetable. You can also climb there, and go to sandy beaches as well. Italy, Crotia, Spain and Greece would offer you a fair amount of sun too. But I'm not a specialist.

In fall, in Europe it is usually raining but not cold enough for snow. So it can be crappy conditions ! I would definitely head to Southern Europe, close to the Mediterranean Sea.

Thanks. Ecrins is easier to reach for me than Corsica. Yes, I especially want to avoid slush, melt pools, melt water, etc. I think Ecrins is a good compromise. It might rain, but it should still be ok under foot.

Sebastian, thanks. These are definitely places I can reach and have never been to.

Last year from 19 till 27 October I did Julian alp in Slovenia, Triglav and after that Grossglockner Austria. It was excellent combination and unforgettable experience as well.

So I recommended Slovenia and Julian Alps you will have more than expected trust me. Furthermore after trekking/climbing you could go to Bled small town with beautiful lake and lot of opportunities relax like SPA centers ect.ect.

October and November (if not raining) are good months for the http://www.ghironda.com/rubriche/gta.htm#ptappa GTA in its Occitania part (Alpi Cozie)

just board on default no frills carrier and fly as south as possible