Hotel example: Lärchenhof
Itinerary
Long distance hiking from the source to the waterfall
The sparkling Lech measures 125 kilometres from its source near Lake Formarin in Lech am Arlberg at an altitude of 1,973 metres to the Lech Falls in the Bavarian Allgäu. Unique, breathtaking and with concentrated hydropower, the river rushes through the cross-border Alpine region. Experience the beauty of the regions on the cross-border hiking trail in Vorarlberg in Austria as well as in Bavaria in Germany as you hike.
Details about the hiking tour on the Lechweg
Right at the beginning of the tour you will be enchanted by the idyllic Lake Formarin and the monument of an Ibex at the start of the trip. But it is not only at the beginning that you will be spoiled with highlights. Numerous attractions also await you over the daily stages. On day three, you visit the highest alpine dairy and butcher’s shop in Vorarlberg and cross a small suspension bridge over the Krumbach.
On the stage from Elbigenalp to Stanzach you will be amazed by the natural spectacle of the Doser Waterfall. There are many legends and myths about this impressive phenomenon. This waterfall only goes about its ‘work’ from April 23 until November 11. The rest of the year? Nothing! You arrive on day nine at your destination in Füssen, still completely amazed by all the sights you’ve seen. You reach Bavaria via the Alpsee and can gaze upon the castles of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein.
Useful information about the hiking tour on the Lechweg
With sturdy shoes and a good basic level of fitness, you can manage each of the daily stages with ease. On well-marked hiking and forest trails, as well as gravel roads, you can walk comfortably through the Vorarlberg countryside via Tyrol to the Bavarian neighbours in the Allgäu. Nevertheless, you should not underestimate the routes and on some days longer tours are on the programme. Optionally, you can shorten the hikes by bus with the included guest tickets.
Tour program
Arrival in Lech am Arlberg
Formarinsee Circular Hike
In the morning, the hiking bus takes you to the idyllic Formarinsee, where the Lechweg begins at around 1,793 meters. Enjoy the fantastic view of the sparkling mountain lake before heading back to Lech am Arlberg via the Lech riverside path in the middle of the mountains.
Hotel example: Lärchenhof
Details: approx. 4.5 hours | ↔ 14 km | ↑ 50 m ↓ 500 m.
Lech am Arlberg – Warth/Surroundings
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.
Hotel example: G ehrnerhof
Details: approx. 4 hours | ↔ 11 km | ↑ 300 m ↓ 300 m.
Warth/Surroundings – Steeg/Surroundings
Onwards you proceed across the stream Krumbach to Gehren and now find yourselves on Tyrolean soil. The route leads you uphill to Lechleiten, to the start of the panorama path. Enjoy the marvellous views into the Lechtal-valley, far below you notice again and again the glistening turquoise of the river. Via numerous serpentines the route leads you downhill again to the riverbank and through little hamlets all the way into the pretty village of Steeg.
Hotel example: Styrolerhof Hotel & Wirtshaus
Details: approx. 4.5 hours | ↔ 15 km | ↑ 200 m ↓ 600 m.
Steeg/Surroundings – Elbigenalp
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.
Hotel example: Traditionsgasthof Stern
Details: approx. 5 hours | ↔ 18 km | ↑ 380 m ↓ 400 m.
Elbigenalp – Stanzach
A picturesque nature reserve leads you to Häselgehr, where you should visit the parish church with its magnificent furnishings, which is well worth seeing, before continuing your way up to the Doser waterfall. There are many legends and stories surrounding this mysterious natural phenomenon. A mountain path with fantastic views of the "wild river" takes you to Stanzach, a tranquil village in the middle of a fantastic mountain world.
Hotel example: Föhrenhof
Details: approx. 5.5 hours | ↔ 20 km | ↑ 400 m ↓ 550 m.
Stanzach – Höfen/Surroundings
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.
Hotel example: Die Lilie
Details: approx. 5 hours | ↔ 19 km | ↑ 50 m ↓ 150 m.
Höfen/Surroundings – Pflach
Via the panorama path to a beautiful viewpoint situated high up at the Costaries-chapel. Past the glistening Lake Frauensee you proceed into the ‚Pflacher Au‘. Here you can enjoy an impressive panoramic view onto the wetlands near the river from the so-called ‚Bird Tower‘, a 20-meter high wooden construction. In Pflach the river Lech feel like it is within your grasp.
Hotel example: Gasthof zum Schwanen
Details: approx. 4 hours | ↔ 11 km | ↑ 300 m ↓ 300 m.
Pflach – Füssen
You now leave the river Lech and walk through meadows and forests uphill across the border all the way to Bavaria. Soon you can already make out the palaces Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein in front of you in the distance! The impressive Lechfall-waterfall finally marks the end of the Lechweg-path. In Füssen the final treat awaits when visiting the royal palaces.
Hotel example: Hirsch
Details: approx. 5 hours | ↔ 15 km | ↑ 400 m ↓ 450 m.
Departure or extension
Departure or extension.
Tour Details
accommodation
Accommodation in 3*** hotels and inns
flights
Flights are not included.
guide
Guide not included.
insurance
meals
Breakfast
optional
Return transfer by minibus to Lech, costs EUR 85 per person, EUR 39 per dog (only SAT/SUN), reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance.
others
Luggage transfer
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, French)
App for Navigation and GPS-data
Servicehotline
Arrival / Parking / Departure
Train journey to St. Anton am Arlberg and by bus to Lech am Arlberg.
Innsbruck or Munich airport.
Parking: limited number of free hotel parking spaces. Chargeable hotel parking spaces approx. EUR 7 per day. Public covered parking near the hotel, approx. EUR 5 per day.
Return journey from Füssen by bus to Lech am Arlberg, duration approx. 3 hours (2x change), or to Steeg in approx. 2 hours (1x change).
Notice
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
Travel by public transport to shorten the daily hikes, optional
transport
Transport not included.
Good to know
Currency
Euro
Austria