An exceptional nature experience awaits during our hiking holiday along the Lechweg-path: Along roughly 125 km you accompany the glistening river Lech from its source near Lake Formarinsee situated in the Austrian town Lech am Arlberg, through one of Europe‘s last wild river sceneries, all the way to the Lechfall-waterfall located in Füssen in the Bavarian Allgäu-region. En route you discover not only the untamed and rugged beauty of the border-crossing Alpine regions, but you also hike across one of Europe’s largest ibex colonies and marvel at a waterfall, which as if by magic disappears each year and rises anew. You walk across the spectacular suspension bridge for pedestrians and marvel at King Louis‘ palaces. The magical turquoise of the river Lech and its thundering roar are your constant companion.
More information and details about hiking on the Lechweg-Path.
Details about the hiking tour on the Lechweg-Path
The starting point of your walking holiday on the Lechweg-Path is in Lech am Arlberg. The start of this multi-faceted active tour is a fantastic circular hike around the Formarinsee. This is exactly where the Lechweg originates at around 1,793 metres. On the following day, the route leads you to Warth and the surrounding area with its natural bathing lake and the highest alpine dairy and butcher's shop in Vorarlberg. The following stage leads to Steeg and on the following day to Elmen, where a particularly adrenaline-pumping highlight awaits you: the crossing of the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Europe. Now the journey leads to Stanzach and further on to Höfen and surroundings, as well as Füssen. On the last day of your hiking tour, you will explore the famous royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, which are already visible from afar. Then you will walk around the deep blue Alpsee lake at the foot of the castles. Again and again you will be rewarded with impressive views of the glittering lake and the castles. - Here you conclude your eight-day hiking tour along the Lechweg.
The highlights of the hiking tour along the Lechweg-Path
Sparkling Formarinsee: Idyllic, glittering and nestled between countless mountain peaks lies the Formarinsee at an altitude of approximately 1,793 metres. This is where the Lechweg-Path begins.
Cross the longest pedestrian bridge in Austria: 200 metres long and suspended 110 metres above the Höhenbach Gorge – spectacular and definitely not for the faint-hearted. From Holzgau to Elbigenalp there is no way around the breathtaking suspension rope bridge.
Royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau: Particularly worth seeing are the magnificent Byzantine throne room, the romantic grotto and the medieval Singers' Hall.
Useful information about the Lechweg-Path hiking tour
On this hiking tour in Vorarlberg and Tyrol in Austria, as well as in Bavaria in Germany, you will always walk on good hiking paths, forest trails and gravel paths. With a little fitness and sure-footedness, this cross-border active holiday will be a wonderful adventure in the midst of nature. You are welcome to shorten the longer stages at any time by bus with the included tickets.
On our ‘Hiking Tours with Charm’ you can enjoy the full service of our individual active holidays while staying in very special accommodation with that extra something in the best location. That means you can look forward to luxury furnishings and decor in the local style, as well as cuisine at the highest level. Many of our hotels with charm also offer large pools and a wellness area where you can relax after a lovely day of hiking.
In the morning, the hiking bus takes you to the idyllic Lake Formarinsee, where the Lechweg-path starts at an altitude of about 1793 metres. Enjoy the stupendous view onto the sparkling mountain lake before you proceed via the Lech-riverside path back amidst the mountain world to Lech am Arlberg.
Initially you walk high above the river through idyllic farmland and across lush mountain meadows before fascinating views deep down into the wild Lech-ravine present themselves. The route ascends gently through the high-altitude forest to the Walser-village Warth, where a natural bathing lake and the highest situated Alpine dairy and butchery invite for a rest. Onwards you proceed across the stream Krumbach to Gehren and now find yourselves on Tyrolean soil. Enjoy the marvellous views into the Lechtal-valley.
Leisurely on the Jochweg-path always along the Lech riverside until you reach the beautiful village of Holzgau, which is characterised by its colourful painted houses. There a very special highlight awaits with the crossing of one of Europe’s longest and most spectacular pedestrian suspension bridges. You proceed across blooming meadows and forest paths to Elbigenalp, the geographic centre of the Lechtal-valley and heartland of the traditional wood craft. From Elbingenalp you go by bus to your today's stage destination Elmen.
Take the bus to Häselgehr, where you should visit the worth seeing parish church with its magnificent interior, before continuing your way up to the Doser waterfall. There are many legends and stories around this mysterious nature phenomenon. Via an high-altitude path with fabulous views onto the ‚wild river‘ you reach Stanzach, a tranquil village situated amidst an amazing mountain world.
Today the river Lech presents itself once more from its wildest side: you hike across a rugged river landscape, past the Lechzopf to Forchach, where another suspension bridge taunts brave hikers to cross over. Across the Johannesbrücke-bridge and through the Moosberg-nature reserve you hike to Weissenbach, cross the river Rotlech and via gentle riverside paths reach the quiet little village of Höfen. From Höfen we go by bus to Füssen.
At the end of your hiking week you explore the famous royal castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, which can be seen from afar. Worth seeing are the magnificent Byzantine throne room, the Romanesque grotto and the medieval singers hall. Then you walk around the deep blue Lake Alpsee situated at the foot of the castles. An idyllic route leads you on forest paths. Again and again you are rewarded with impressive views onto the glistening lake and the castles
approx. 2 hours
5 km
130 m
130 m
Day
8
Departure or extension
Characteristics of the route
You walk on easy, well-maintained hiking paths, forest paths and partially also on forest- and gravel roads. For all daily tours a good basic fitness level is required. You always have the option to comfortably cut longer tours short by taking the bus any time. In some parts of the tours some surefootedness is necessary, if required the spectacular suspension bridges can be easily bypassed.
You spend the night in specially selected hotels with special "extras" and can enjoy all the facilities of the charming accommodations (see "Accommodation").
You spend the night in specially selected hotels with special "extras" and can enjoy all the facilities of the charming accommodations (see "Accommodation").
1 Lech Card (reductions for cable cars, entrance fees etc.)
4 guest cards for all other hiking days of the holiday (reduced entrances, free bus rides etc.)
1 original „Lechweg-cheese“, provided by the organic dairy Sojer in Steeg
Carefully elaborated route description
Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
App for Navigation and GPS-data available
Service hotline
Infos
Arrival / Parking / Departure:
By train to St. Anton am Arlberg and by bus to Lech am Arlberg.
Innsbruck or Munich airport.
Car parking: limited number of hotel parking spaces available free of charge, no reservation possible. Public covered car park near the hotel, cost approx. EUR 20 per week.
Return journey from Füssen by bus to Lech am Arlberg, duration approx. 3 hours (2x change).
Things to note:
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the tour price
Travel by public transport, approx. EUR 15 per person
Admission to royal castles, approx. EUR 18 per person (note: admission to Neuschwanstein Castle only possible with valid ticket)
Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
Optional extras:
Return transfer by minibus to Lech, costs EUR 199 (up to 4 people), reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance.
Accommodation
Hotel Sonnblick Lech am Arlberg
★★★★
In the middle of the natural landscape of the well-known mountain region Arlberg lies the stylish Hotel Sonnblick.
Hotel Sonnblick Lech am Arlberg
★★★★
In the middle of the natural landscape of the well-known mountain region Arlberg lies the stylish Hotel Sonnblick. A high level of rest and relaxation awaits you in the family-run hotel. In addition to culinary delights accompanied by selected wines, you will find comfortably modern furnished rooms and the Sonnblick SPA - a small but fine wellness area. A perfect hotel for your hiking week along the Lech.
The Lechquell Hotel Post is always up to date and yet traditional, with a lot of commitment and passion, familiar and friendly.
Lechquell Hotel Post Steeg
★★★★
The Lechquell Hotel Post is always up to date and yet traditional, with a lot of commitment and passion, familiar and friendly. Situated in the picturesque location amidst the Lechtal Alps you can recharge your batteries in the extensive spa area. In the rustic tavern you can enjoy excellent Austrian cuisine and end the evening with a exquisite glass of wine.
The Lechquell Hotel Post is always up to date and yet traditional, with a lot of commitment and passion, familiar and friendly.
Hotel Lechzeit Elmen
★★★★
The Lechquell Hotel Post is always up to date and yet traditional, with a lot of commitment and passion, familiar and friendly. Situated in the picturesque location amidst the Lechtal Alps you can recharge your batteries in the extensive spa area. In the rustic tavern you can enjoy excellent Austrian cuisine and end the evening with a exquisite glass of wine.
This family-run hotel is in a quiet location not far from the river Lech.
Hotel Föhrenhof Stanzach
★★★S
This family-run hotel is in a quiet location not far from the river Lech. The newly renovated wellness oasis impresses with a lot of comfort that invites you to relax. In the new junior suites on the 3rd floor, the panorama of nature lies at your feet. In addition to the modern alpine design and the warm colours, the natural oak wood furnishings create a cozy atmosphere. In the evening you can review your impressions in the cosy dining room or the beautiful sun terrace.
Tradition meets modernity: Hotel Sonne welcomes you in the old Town Füssen.
Hotel Sonne Füssen
★★★★
Tradition meets modernity: beautifully situated in the old town of Füssen, Hotel Sonne welcomes you. Spacious rooms with an individual design invite you to relax. The wellness area resembles an oriental oasis with many lovely international details. In the restaurant you will be enchanted with regional specialities such as Allgäu cheese and Black Forest ham.