Ideas and Addresses. Your guide through the Bregenzerwald.
Travelling the Bregenzerwald always means having to overcome dizzy heights to start with: from Bregenz you take the Pfänder, from the Rhine Valley the valley side which ascends 500 m, from the north you take the Sulzbergstock, from the east the Riedberg or Hochtannberg pass, from the south the Faschinajoch.
Up and over is the way to go – the most impressive views are from the north and the west – and a space is revealed which, in all its diversity, is completely different to all that surrounds it, with the Bregenzerache uniting it all. Your route takes you through gorges and flat hollows – wide between the hills of the foothills of the Alps around Alberschwende and Lingenau, narrow between the mountains of the foothills of the Alps around Andelsbuch and Bezau, squeezed in between the alpine peaks of the Kanisfluh, Diedamskopf, Zitterklapfen and Widderstein around Schnepfau, Au, Schoppernau, Warth and Schröcken.
This correlates with the division into the Vorderwald, Mittelwald and Hinterwald (front, central and rear regions of the Bregenzerwald) – a topographical spectrum which, right at the start of tourism, had travellers extolling the “charming landscape” as an “enclosed park” whilst at the same time shuddering at the “Siberian exile” on the wild, upper course of the Ache. A valley area of contrasts, borders, crossings.
Crossings
Cross-border experiences also leave their mark on the locals – they know how to set themselves apart from outside. Yet the scarce rural areas have never been sufficient to feed the population. The locals had to get moving, cross borders, leave behind their homes and families. This took on many different forms: the nomadic existence of alpine animal husbandry (home, mountain pasture, alp → p. 100), or in the form of seasonal migrant work outbound
commuting or even emigration (to America in the 19th century in particular). Flexibility, ideas and self-help were essential to stave off poverty. The area was only sparsely populated for a long time: only plot names give rise to assumptions about the border between Celtic and Rhaeto-Romanic cultures. It was not until the High Middle Ages that Mehrerau Monastery in Bregenz encouraged the population of the area upwards of the Bregenzerache. From above, coming the opposite direction, you come across a second wave of population with the Walsers. The particle “Wald” (forest, wood) found in many of the names of places makes it clear how undeveloped this settlement area was for a long time. Naturally, the locals gladly take advantage of this remoteness: interesting as a hunting ground at best for the feudal rulers, extensive autonomy was allowed to develop which went down in literature as a “peasants’ republic”. It ended with the brief Bavarian occupation
(1806 – 1814) as a result of the realignment of Europe by Napoleon.
Hard cheese and lace
It was during this time that the region developed in the form you see today. Rational, mercantile methods gained importance in agriculture, desertedness became characteristic of the Vorderwald to the Mittelwald, production of hard cheese grew (alpine dairy → p. 100) to such a sustainable extent that the first dairy farm school in the Habsburg Empire was established. The new rulers were the cheese barons who amassed staggering wealth with the
tip: events at www.bregenzerwald.at
There’s lots going on in the Bregenzerwald. The regional events calendar provides an overview of the wide range of events on offer.
View of the Kanisfluh
products of the new form of agriculture, and textile manufacturers who supplied material produced by the textiles home industry before the railway provided factories in the Rhine valley with workers after 1902. Such changes were also accompanied by resistance – Franz Michael Felder, author and spokesman of the revolt, is still considered an exceptional character (Franz Michael Felder Museum → p. 92) in the valley today, and which is why one’s own house and home are tenaciously clung to. New sources of income have to be continuously developed – the multitude of manual skills is proof of this.
The 23 villages in the Bregenzerwald are good starting points for active people and home to venues for a variety of events. tip: the villages at www.bregenzerwald.at
Winter in Schoppernau
This culture has succeeded in maintaining its vitality. Innovation and flexibility based on the acquired continue today in initiatives such as the Werkraum Bregenzerwald (→ p. 86) and have turned the Bregenzerwald into a model European region.
The villages in the Bregenzerwald
The coexistence of traditional and contemporary (wooden) architecture characterises the look of the 23 villages in the valley and on the mountains. Guests may experience the variety of nature on hiking trails, ski slopes, crosscountry ski trails and winter hiking trails. All villages are home to many vacation accommodation options, shops, restaurants, inns and cafés. The 13 museums and exhibition venues there open up interesting insights. Add to this the many cultural venues.
Lindau
Bodensee
Bregenz
Dornbirn
Hohenems
Alberschwende
Feldkirch
The Bregenzerwald is easily accessible from all directions and on all means of transportation. Buses in the area make it easy to get around by public transport. They run frequently from early to late.
Arriving by train and long-distance coach
From Austria: www.oebb.at
From Germany: www.bahn.de
From Switzerland: www.sbb.ch
By long-distance coach: www.flixbus.at
Bregenzerach
Arriving by plane
Several regional and international airports are located within the surrounding areas of Vorarlberg. Transfer options: www.airportdrivers.com
E-mobility
The Bregenzerwald is home to a welldeveloped network of charging facilities for electric vehicles. There are both public charging stations and charging options in many hotels. The vkw vlotte, illwerke vkw’s e-mobility brand, runs a dense charging network.
Road connections Warth – Lech and Laterns – Damüls closed in winter !
Taxis in the region
Taxi Koni Alberschwende
M +43 (0)676 9069933
Taxi Veli Andelsbuch
M+43 (0)664 5233477
Taxi Fechtig Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 2311, only during the day
Taxi Bregenzerwald Bregenz
M +43 (0)664 1851333
Hagspiel Touristik Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 6335, by appointment only
Wälder Taxi Langenegg
M +43 (0)660 5053245
Felder Reisen Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 2257
Ritter Tours Schröcken
M +43 (0)664 3411540
Taxi Zündel Schwarzenberg
M +43 (0)664 98 53 113
Taxi Benjamin Bilgeri Sulzberg
M +43 (0)680 4450793, by appointment only
Taxiservice Hotel Warther Hof Warth
T +43 (0)5583 3504 (until 10 p.m.)
Car pools
Share the journey, travel together and reduce costs: www.vlow.app
Public transport in the Bregenzerwald
The excellent bus network makes arriving and travelling on public transport easy. Buses run from village to village, to Bregenz and Dornbirn and to neighbouring regions from early morning to late at night every day. In Bezau, Mellau, AuSchoppernau, Damüls and WarthSchröcken, there are also local bus lines and ski buses during the winter season.
Train, bus connections & timetables
The Vorarlberg Transport Association’s route planner and the “cleVVVer Mobil’ app, available for Android and iPhone, are helpful. The current timetables for all routes are available on the Vmobil mobility platform. www.vmobil.at
Bus in Warth-Schröcken
Tickets
For snowboarders and skiers with ski equipment, public transport for practicing alpine skiing is included in the 3TälerPass. Important information about fare zones and ticket prices for all other travellers is available on the Vorarlberg Transport Association’s mobility platform. Tickets are available from ticket machines at the stations or on the buses themselves. It’s really easy with the FAIRTIQ app. One swipe on the smartphone before boarding and after alighting is enough for a valid ticket to be issued for the route travelled –at the best available price. www.vmobil.at
Holders of the 3TälerPass may use the public buses (except the No. 46 from Hittisau to Oberstaufen) to commute to the ski resorts for alpine skiing (skiing and snowboarding with equipment). (→ p. 11)
By bus into the ski area
Scheidegg
In the direction of Lindau
Bregenz
Lauterach
Weiler
Langen b.B.
Kennelbach
Schwarzach
Thal
Sulzberg Fahl
Doren
Krumbach
Langenegg
Müselbach
Alberschwende
Wolfurt Egg
Dornbirn
Hohenems
Bödele
Schwarzenberg
Oberstaufen
Gullenbach
Riefensberg
Bolgenach
Hittisau
Lingenau
Andelsbuch
Bersbuch
Bezau
Reuthe
Schnepfau
Mellau
Damüls
Sibratsgfäll
Schetteregg
Bizau
Au
Schoppernau
Schröcken
Hochkrumbach Warth
Feldkirch
Thüringerberg
Faschina
Fontanell a Buchboden
Sonnta g Blons St. Gerold
R ailway route Bus route Bus stop
Marul Ragga l Thüringen
ski & board
The Bregenzerwald’s skiing areas have pistes for all tastes and all levels, the most up-to-date lifts, cosy mountain inns and lovely lookout points. Put simply: a joy for skiers and snowboarders! Skiing tours are becoming increasingly popular – as is the more leisurely version: freeriding.
The 3TälerPass is valid for 38 skiing areas in the Bregenzerwald, in the Große Walsertal, in the Lechtal, in the Allgäu and on the ski buses.
You can choose from ski passes for between 2.5 and 21 days, special passes for between 2, 5 and 8 days and season passes.
Prices and further information available at www.3taeler.at.
Ski buses included
Holders of the 3TälerPass are able to use the public buses that serve fans of alpine ski sports (skiers and snowboarders with equipment) to commute to the ski areas of their choice (except the Oberstaufen ski areas).
Ski buses also operate free of charge in many villages.
Season dates
low season
Start of the season – 19 Dec. 2025
11 – 30 January 2026
8 – 27 March 2026
7 April 2026 – end of the season
high season
In the Warth-Schröcken skiing area
20 December 2025 – 10 January 2026
31 January – 7 March 2026
28 March – 6 April 2026
information
3-Täler Touristik GmbH
Gerbe 1135
6863 Egg, Vorarlberg
T +43 (0)5512 2365-30 info@3taeler.at www.3taeler.at
facts and figures
15 skiing areas
83 lifts, comprising 1 large cable car
4 cable cars
30 chair lifts
48 ski tows and practice lifts
213 km of prepared pistes, comprising
59 km of blue pistes
114 km of red pistes
40 km of black pistes
Lindau
Langen b. Bregenz
Bregenz
Dornbirn Buch
Hohenems
Feldkirch
Oberstaufen
Sulzberg
Krumbach
Langenegg
Schwarzenberg
Alberschwende Andelsbuch
Lingenau Mellau
Bezau
Fontanella Faschina
Blons St. Gerold
Thüringerberg
Sonntag Raggal
Bludenz
Physically more demanding ski areas
a Warth-Schröcken (→ p. 12)
b Damüls-Mellau-Faschina (→ p. 16)
c Diedamskopf
Au-Schoppernau (→ p. 20)
Family ski areas
d Bödele-Schwarzenberg (→ p. 24)
Riefensberg
Schnepfau
e Schetteregg-Egg (→ p. 25)
Balderschwang
Sibratsgfäll
Schoppernau
Schröcken
Kleinwalsertal
f Hochhäderich-Riefensberg (→ p. 26)
g Hochlitten-Riefensberg (→ p. 27)
h Niedere Bezau (→ p. 28)
Road connections Warth – Lech and Laterns – Damüls closed in winter !
Village lifts i Alberschwende
j Au: Grunholzlift (→ p. 20)
k Bizau: Übungslift Hütten
l Buch: Skilifte Buch
m Hittisau: Skilift Hittisberg
n Reuthe: Skilift Reuthe Baienberg
o Schoppernau: Ahorn-Lift (→ p. 20)
p Schwarzenberg: Haldenlifte (→ p. 24)
q Sibratsgfäll: Skilift Krähenberg
r Sulzberg: Dorflift Sulzberg, Skilifte Hagenberg
tip: aktion kinderschnee (kids’ snow offer)
Families enjoy particularly affordable holidays (→ p. 29)
Skiing in Warth-Schröcken
lifts & cable cars
17 cable cars
43 chair lifts
25 ski tows
pistes
Length of the slopes: 302 km of which:
130 km are blue pistes
122 km are red pistes
50 km are black pistes
ski school & children’s ski school
• Ski and snowboard school Salober-Schröcken
T +43 (0)5583 38688
www.skischule-salober.com
• Ski and snowboard school Warth
T +43 (0)5583 3443
www.skischule-warth.com
• Schröcken-Hochkrumbach ski sports school
M +43 (0)664 2525200
www.skischule-schroecken.com
• Arlberg Snowsports ski school
M +43 (0)664 3833632
www.arlberg-snowsports.at
ski rental
• Sporttraum Schröcken
T +43 (0)5519 30314
www.sporttraum.at
• Sporttraum Warth
T +43 (0)5583 33901
www.sporttraum.at
• Jug Sports Arlberg, Warth
M +43 (0)664 5559910
www.sport-jug.at
• Sport Knitel, Warth
T +43 (0)5583 3612
www.sport-center-hotel-garni.at
information
• Skilifte Warth GmbH & Co KG
T +43 (0)5583 3601-0
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5583 3601-11
• Ski lifts Schröcken Strolz GmbH
T +43 (0)5583 4259-0
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5583 2255
www.warth-schroecken.at
B 852/local SkibuS
H Saloberlifte, Jägeralpe, SteffiSalpe, Warth Dorfplatz
At snow-sure altitudes between 1,300 and 1,500 metres, the villages of Warth and Schröcken await wintersports enthusiasts with a variety of pistes and attractive freeride slopes. Excellent conditions prevail well into spring thanks to the north and eastfacing pistes. Located directly at the slope, they start in the Ski Arlberg region. Lech-Zürs and St. Anton are easily reached from the slopes using the Auenfeldjet connecting cable car.
Extra infos
Choice of ski pass
Guests in Warth-Schröcken may enjoy maximum flexibility in their choice of ski pass:
• Warth-Schröcken Ski Pass (1 – 2.5 days) – ideal for short ski breaks.
• 3TälerPass (2.5 – 21 days) –unlimited fun on the slopes in the Bregenzerwald, Großes Walsertal and Tiroler Lechtal.
• Ski Arlberg Ski Pass (1 – 30 days) –for everyone who wants to explore Austria’s largest ski area.
Holders of a 3TälerPass (2.5 – 21 days, season tickets) may purchase a budget-friendly flexible day pass for Ski Arlberg on a daily basis.
For families & children
Family offers
Little guests really big! Families with children are able to enjoy many offers in the family-friendly WarthSchröcken ski region:
• PauPaulis Ski Arena Salober – the ideal practice area for children and beginners
• Kinderland at the SaloberSchröcken ski school – playful learning with fun and exercise for
children aged three years of age and above with lunchtime supervision
• Kinderland Warth – perfectly equipped for the first turns in the snow
• Bambiniclub and Kidscamp at the Skischule Warth (ski school) – for children from two to four years of age, hourly or daily care in a protected environment
Variety
Freeride offers
Untouched slopes, deep powder snow and genuine freedom: the freeride on offer in Warth-Schröcken is one of the best in the Alps. With routes and guided tours for all levels.
“Steffisalp” ski movie race course
Become a star: time trials on the Skimovie race course – including a video recording of your run.
“Sonnencruiser” parallel giant slalom
Feeling like a world-cup pro and putting your skills to the test on the giant slalom course: perfect conditions and automatic timekeeping for ambitious ski fans who like a challenge.
Funcross Karhorn
Waves, banked turns and small jumps – the Funcross on the Karhorn guarantees fun and flow for all those who love action. Ideal for brave kids and adrenaline junkies who are young at heart.
Kuchllift speed check
The speed check tells you how fast you really are.
Funslope Hochalp Curves, tunnels, wave tracks – the Funslope Steffisalp is a paradise for all those who enjoy variety.
Salober Northface For experts and adventure-seekers: the Salober Northface is a true freeride jewel – challenging, natural – a highlight for any powder fan! The
three black slopes are the best choice for anyone who enjoys a really steep challenge. The gradient on the “Ochsenkopf” Descent 253 is more than 70%.
lifts & cable cars
2 cable cars
15 chair lifts
2 ski tows
4 practice lifts
2 rope tows
7 moving walkways
pistes
Lengths of the slopes: 109 km of which:
28 km are blue pistes
50 km are red pistes
10 km are black pistes
21 km of ski trails
ski rental
• Madlener Sport, Damüls
T +43 (0)5510 391
www.sport-madlener.at
• Intersport Damüls
Uga district:
T +43 (0)5510 25250
Kirchdorf district:
T +43 (0)5510 25291
www.intersport-damuels.at
• Sport Broger, Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 2240
www.sportbroger.com
• Sport Natter, Mellau Village centre:
T +43 (0)5518 22620
Mellaubahn valley station:
T +43 (0)5518 2222-37
www.sportnatter.com
ski school & children’s ski school
• Damüls ski school
T +43 (0)5510 295
www.skischule-damuels.at
• Mellau ski & snowboard school
T +43 (0)664 2247639
www.skischule-mellau.at
information
• Damüls cable cars
T +43 (0)5510 600
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5510 600
• Mellau cable cars
T +43 (0)5518 2222
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5518 2222
www.damuels-mellau.at
Mellau:
B 832/833/840/local SkibuS
H bergbahnen
DaMülS: B 851/local SkibuS H uga-lift
Damüls-Mellau-Faschina ski area
Damüls, Faschina and Mellau complement each other perfectly. In the Walser village of Damüls, located at a high altitude, skiiers literally step out of the front door and are on the slopes. Mellau enjoys a central location in the valley, with the Mellau cable car providing easy access to the skiing area. The skiing area combines plenty of snow, sunny south slopes, the best possible piste conditions through to the spring on the north slopes and impressive views.
Special features
Damüls circular tour
The around three-hour skiing tour takes you through the entire skiing area and special stops. The All-Mountain-Line with kids’ snow park, the Bunny Line with Fiss rules and talking figures, speed track with photo analysis, parallel slalom with video analysis, the Damüls Ski Museum and photo point are all located along the way. It is also worth stopping off at two viewing points affording an impressive view into the distance. More information about the round trip is available on the website or from the ski pass ticket offices in the ski area.
For families and children
Guest kindergarten
Damüls: children from the age of 2 years are supervised in the Bunnyclub. Contact the local carer to discuss the supervision of children below two years of age.
Opening times: Sun to Friday 9.30 a.m. – 3.30 p.m.
tip: skimuseum
The history of skiing and tourism in Damüls (→ p. 91)
damüls-mellau-faschina
Hasenlift & Easy Cheesy Land Mellau
The perfect training ground for newcomers to skiing is located between Rossstelle and Gipfelbahn. The button lift takes you on a short trip up the mountain. Passing colourful figures, you wend your way downhill on the gently sloping piste.
Bunny’s snowmobile course
A small snowmobile (Suitable for children up to 12 years) takes visitors over the specially designed course, which is supervised by ski instructors.
Where: Kinderwelt Bunny
When: every Wednesday at 10.30 a.m. between 24 Dec. 2025 and 8 Apr. 2026
Price per person: € 1 per lap
information & reservations
Reservations by guests not at the ski school by 4 p.m. on the day before Damüls ski school, T +43 (0)5510 295 www.skischule-damuels.at
Variety
Afternoon of fun sports
Accompanied by ski and snowboard instructors, guests discover the Damüls-Mellau-Faschina skiing area, with snowblades and Skifox.
Meeting point: Ski- & Snowboardschule Mellau, valley station of Mellaubahn
Dates: daily upon request
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Price per person: € 67 including fun sports equipment, excluding ski pass
Minimum number of participants: 3 people (surcharge if less)
information & reservations
Mellau ski & snowboard school
T +43 (0)664 2247639 www.skischule-mellau.at
SONNTAG
LIFTANLAGEN FASCHINA SKIPISTEN UND SKIROUTEN FASCHINA
DSB STAFELALPE
4 SB GLATTHORN
GUGGERNÜLLI
ÜBUNGSLIFT FASCHINAJOCH
LIFTANLAGEN DAMÜLS
4 SB UGA
UND SKIROUTEN DAMÜLS
ABFAHRT HERZEGG
ABFAHRT GLAUBICHT
GLATTHORN 1 GLATHHORN FAMILIENABF. GLATTHORN 2 STAFELALPE GUGGERNÜLLI ISCHGAVELSA FASCHINAJOCH HAHNENKOPF SÜD HAHNENKOPF OST HAHNENKOPF NORD STAFELALPE - WEG GUGGERNÜLLI
SKIKINDERGARTEN (2 FÖRDERBÄNDER) leicht leicht mittel leicht leicht leicht leicht schwierig extrem extrem schwierig schwierig
Skirouten, fallweise präpariert, ohne Kontrollabfahrt (Pistendienst), unmittelbarer Bereich der Markierung vor Lawinengefahr gesichert. Nur für Geübte! Extreme Skirouten.
SKIPISTEN TÄGLICH VON 17:00-8:30 UHR GESPERRT!
Während dieser Zeit keine Gefahrensicherung! Verletzungsgefahr durch Pistenbearbeitung, Spurrinnen, Windenseile, freiliegende Kabel und Schläuche der Beschneiungsgeräte.
Pistensperre: Pistengerät mit Seilwinde im Einsatz, Gefährdung durch Seilschlag
Aus verschiedenen Gründen kann der Einsatz von Pistengeräten während der Betriebszeit erforderlich sein. Erhöhte Vorsicht an unübersichtlichen Gefahrenstellen, Kuppen, Engstellen etc.
Sperre: Allgemeine Sperre
Allgemeine Gefahren
Zum Schutz unseres Bergwaldes ist das Befahren von Waldflächen verboten. Respektiere deine Grenzen!
DIE EUROPÄISCHE LAWINENGEFAHRSKALA
1 gering
2 mäßig
3 erheblich
4 groß
5 sehr groß
Eine Lawinenauslösung ist nur bei großer Zusatzbelastung an sehr wenigen, extremen Steilhängen möglich. Spontan sind nur kleine Lawinen (sogenannte Rutsche) zu erwarten. Allgemein sichere Tourenverhältnisse. Eine Lawinenauslösung ist insbesondere bei großer Zusatzbelastung vor allem an den angegebenen Steilhängen möglich. Größere spontane Lawinen sind nicht zu erwarten. Unter Berücksichtigung lokaler Gefahrenstellen günstige Tourenverhältnisse.
Eine Lawinenauslösung ist bereits bei geringer Zusatzbelastung vor allem an den angegebenen Steilhängen möglich. Fallweise sind spontan einige mittlere vereinzelt aber auch große Lawinen möglich. Skitouren erfordern lawinenkundliches Beurteilungsvermögen. Tourenmöglichkeiten eingeschränkt.
Eine Lawinenauslösung ist bereits bei geringer Zusatzbelastung an den meisten Steilhängen wahrscheinlich. Fallweise sind spontan viele mittlere, mehrfach auch große Lawinen zu erwarten. Skitouren erfordern lawinenkundliches Beurteilungsvermögen. Tourenmöglichkeiten stark eingeschränkt.
Spontan sind zahlreiche Lawinen, auch in mäßig steilem Gelände zu erwarten. Skitouren sind allgemein nicht möglich.
Bei Blinklicht große bis sehr große Lawinengefahr abseits der geöffneten und markierten Pisten!
• Mainpark – the centrepiece with large kickers, rails and creative setups
• Ugapark with All-Mtn-Line – a varied line for all levels
• Kids Snowpark – the ideal introduction to freestyle sports for little shredders
• Middle-Park – the link between Uga- and Mainpark
The park offers a continuous line with more than 24 features on an impressive area with top-to-bottom runs; almost 60 obstacles in total await freestyle fans. www.snowparkdamuels.com
“Extraklasse” (“Extra class”) award: “world’s leading ski area with up to 80 kilometres of pistes” according to Skiresort.de, the world’s biggest test portal for skiing areas.
MELLAUBAHN
MELLAU
diedamskopf au-schoppernau
lifts & cable cars
2 cable railways
2 chair lifts
4 ski tows
1 moving walkway
pistes
Lengths of the slopes: 40 km of which:
13 km are blue pistes
9 km are red pistes
8 km are black pistes
9 km are red ski trails
1 km is a black ski trail
ski rental
• Sport Gorbach, Au
T +43 (0)5515 4141-1
www.gorbach.at
• Sport Fuchs, Au
T +43 (0)5515 2315 www.sportfuchs.com
• Sport Matt, Schoppernau
Center of village
T +43 (0)5515 4120
Diedamskopf valley station
T +43 (0)5515 4120
www.matt.at
Diedamskopf in Au-Schoppernau
ski school & children’s ski school
Au-Schoppernau snow sports school
T +43 (0)5515 2133
www.skischule-schoppernau.com
information
Diedamskopf cable cars
Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 4110-0
www.diedamskopf.at
B 840/850/local SkibuS
H DieDaMSkopfbahn
The perfectly groomed natural snow slopes on the 2,090-metre-high Diedamskopf are just as popular with experienced skiers as they are with families. The slopes in the clearly laidout skiing area are designed for all levels of ability and have been awarded the Vorarlberg Pistengütesiegel (Seal of Approval for Piste Quality). A particularly beautiful panoramic view over the mountains and as far as Lake Constance opens up from the summit, which can be reached on the winter hiking trail.
Special features
Diedams valley run
Those in good shape plump for the 10-km long valley run, which covers a difference in altitude of 1,250 metres.
Night-skiing in Grunholz
The T-bar lift in Au opens up two beautiful slopes with gentle gradients. One of the few ski lifts in the Bregenzerwald where the adventure of night skiing and tobogganing awaits. It’s also possible to use the 3TälerPass on the lifts in the evenings.
Evening opening times: from end of December to begin of March –depending on snow conditions
B 850/local SkibuS
H geMein DeaMt
Winter hiking & summit happiness
Hikers and fans of nature can enjoy varied experiences on the Diedamskopf. A leisurely walk of just 15 minutes leads from the mountain station to the Diedamskopf summit at an altitude of 2,090 metres.
For families and children
Au-Schoppernau snow-sports school
The “Kinderland” next to the valley station is the place for children to playfully learn their first turns on skis. The ski courses for older children include an adventure and safety programme with barbecue in a tepee, snow rafting with a skidoo and the flying fox. Adult and snowboard courses start every Monday. www.skischule-schoppernau.com
Freestyle fun for the whole family
The Funslope on the Diedamskopf is an absolute must for all families: the fast-paced wave run, impressive tunnels and the giant snail made of snow is guaranteed to make the day out skiing a total success.
Variety
Ski movie track
Skiers can have their very own racing video made on the ski move track on the Breitenalp. You can watch and download the video from www.skiline.cc.
Diedamspark
The Diedamspark is an insider tip in the boarder and free-skier scene. With more than 30 different obstacles –starting with simple butter boxes and Jib obstacles up to a 10-metre kicker or a wave rail – the Diedamspark is one of the big parks in the Bregenzerwald. The four different sections mean that creativity knows no bounds. While the little shredders can find their feet in the Beginner Area, the pros can enjoy themselves in the Medium Area. Skilfully built from the finest natural snow by the Q-Parks Shape Crew. Snowboarders and free-skiers love the Diedamspark for its perfect park terrain.
Enjoying local food and experiencing the view
The four food service providers in the skiing area invite visitors to take a leisurely break. The Diedamskopf service team treats hungry winter-sports enthusiasts to traditional dishes.
The unique mountain panorama on the sun terrace of the panorama restaurant at more than 2,000 metres above sea level is simply a special experience. The cable car also makes it possible for non-skiers to enjoy the barrier-free panorama restaurant at the mountain station.
The ski school Schwarzenberg guarantees that all children from 3.5 years will be able to ski by themselves on the practice slopes within four hours.
information
Skischule Schwarzenberg
M +43 (0)664 2214075
www.skischule-schwarzenberg.at
lifts & cable cars
1 chair lift
5 ski tows
2 conveyor belts
1 carousel
pistes
Lengths of the slopes: 10 km of which:
3 km are blue pistes
6 km are red pistes
1 km is a black piste
ski school & children’s ski school
Ski school Bödele
M +43 (0)664 75036843
www.skiboedele.at
ski rental
Rauszeit
T +43 (0)5512 4750-21
www.rauszeit-schetteregg.at
information
Skigebiet Schetteregg
T +43 (0)5512 4750
www.schetteregg.at
B 827 H Schilift
Fun on skis – right from the beginning
This is where the little ones can start their skiing adventures entirely without stress: conveyor belts and the fun ski carousel in the middle of the children’s area are available to use free of charge. The child-friendly signs then guide the kids gradually further into the ski area – always adapted to ability. Schettifuchs and his friends are, of course, also on hand to share how to master the slopes safely. Be it first attempts at the snow-plough on the Igelrunde, controlled turns on the Bärenhang or sporty carving on the Luchspiste – there’s a suitable route for all levels.
Fun and action in August’s Land
Turning skiing into an adventure! Kids can train their coordination and motor skills while having lots of fun between obstacles, fun figures, cool ski tunnels, wave tracks and small jumps. Whether for beginners or little piste pros: having fun is clearly the main focus here.
lifts & cable cars
1 chair lift
4 ski tows pistes
Lengths of the slopes: 9 km of which:
4 km are blue pistes
3 km are red pistes
2 km are black pistes
ski rental
• Jakobs Skishop, Hochhäderich
T +43 (0)5513 8254-61
www.alpenarena.com
• Sport Spettel, Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 6341
www.spettel.at
• Sport Gotthard, Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 2260
www.sport-gotthard.com
information
Alpenarena Hochhäderich
T +43 (0)5513 8254-0
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5513 8254-51
www.alpenarena.com
Suitable for families
This is the place to get really active: on foot, on skis and crosscountry skis, on sleighs and horsedrawn sleighs, on snowshoes, sporty or leisurely.
Located away from the hustle and bustle of large skiing areas. Small yet exquisite skiing area, ideal for families with small children.
Plus: racing service and three racing tracks for club, association or company races.
FIS-homologated slalom run for men and women.
The gondola ride takes just a few minutes to get from the valley to the lofty heights where the reward is a breathtaking view and a winter landscape that enchants. The cable car can take up to 60 passengers. It comfortably and quickly makes the 930metre climb from Bezau up to Baumgarten at 1,648 metres.
offers on the mountain
Niedere family ski area
The cable car in Bezau is a feeder to the Niedere family ski area (three lifts and 10 kilometres of mainly leisurely pistes).
Winter hiking
• Sonderdach circular route: around 50 minutes’ walking time
• Middle station – mountain station: around 1 ½ hours’ walking time
• Panorama trail to the Niedere-Höhe: around two hours’ walking time
Tobogganing
• Natural three-kilometre-long toboggan run from Baumgarten to the Sonderdach
• Altitude difference: 440 metres
• Toboggan hire at the valley station and at the panorama restaurant
Skiing tours
The Baumgarten mountain station is the ideal starting point for skiing tours into the Niedere-Winterstaude area.
Freeriding
The firn descents to the Sonderdach on the Bezau side are particularly popular.
Paragliding
This special thermal location makes flying on the Niedere possible all year round. Paragliders can start on the Bezau side towards the south. There is a generous landing field in the valley.
Panorama restaurant
The restaurant, like the cable car, is barrier-free and accessible for the disabled.
sport equipment hire
Sport Thomas, Bezau T +43 (0)5514 31441 www.sport-thomas.at
information
Seilbahn Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 2254
Snow hotline: T +43 (0)5514 2254 www.seilbahn-bezau.at
B 832 H Seilbahn
Bezau cable car mountain station
Families enjoy particularly affordable holidays. Children from three to six years of age are able to attend a four-day ski course free of charge and receive a free ski pass as part of the “kids’ snow offer”
Conditions
• Children from three to six years (born in 2020/2021/2022)
• At least seven nights accompanied by an adult.
• Overnight stay in one of the participating establishments in a partner location.
Offer
• Six days 3TälerPass for children
• Four-day ski course for children
Booking
Bookings may be made through the participating hosts in one of the partner locations.
Information, dates, accommodation tip: kids’ snow promotion at www.bregenzerwald.at
Where children learn to ski
Langen
Doren
Schwarzenberg
Alberschwende Andelsbuch
The Bregenzerwald is famous for its wide range of enjoyable skiing tours. Including easier and more difficult ones. After a two-to-five-hour ascent with touring skis and skins, skiers are able to glide down into the valley on wonderful slopes away from the groomed ski pistes. The appropriate equipment – such as touring skis and avalanche transceivers (avalanche rescue beacons) – are available from the local ski hire shops.
Bregenzerach
Road connections Warth – Lech and Laterns – Damüls closed in winter
We recommend tackling these tours only in the company of mountain guides and ski guides from the ski schools. This ensures that skiers can safely reach the most beautiful places while benefiting from valuable tips.
Mountain and ski guides, guided ski and freeride tours, tour tips and interesting facts tip: skiing tours at www.bregenzerwald.at
tours for beginners
tip: literature and app
“Skitourenführer Bregenzerwald inkl. Großes Walsertal und Lechquellengebirge” by A. Kempf/ R. Kempf published by Panico Alpinverlag (in German only)
Ski-tours app for the Bregenzerwald by R. Kempf / A. Riedmann: 120 ski tours at all levels of difficulty
Plan skiing trips that don’t have a negative impact on nature with an interactive map: www.respektiere-deine-grenzen.at
Skiing tours for beginners
1: brendler lug (1,767 m)
The gentle, classic skiing tour close to Au.
Difference in altitude: 950 m
Starting point: car park of Au’s village hall
B 850 H geMein DeaMt
2: portlahorn (2,010 m)
Straightforward panorama tour across the Damüls skiing area.
Difference in altitude: 400 m
Starting point: Damüls, center of village
B 851 H kirch Dorf
3: hirschberg (1,500 m)
Ideal wide ski slopes in the former skiing area.
Difference in altitude: 700 m
Starting point: Bizau, Dorfplatz (village square) (in good snow conditions, the ascent to the starting point is made on the cross-country ski trail)
B 833 H geMein DeaMt
4: hochälpelekopf (1,464 m)
This area is recommended particularly to newcomers or athletes who want to go out on a short tour.
Difference in altitude: 450 m
Starting point: Gmeind, part of the village of Schwarzenberg B 870 H Stüben
5: feuerstätterkopf (1,645 m)
This lovely, popular tour takes you across gentle ski slopes, without any flat spots.
Difference in altitude: 650 m
Starting point: from Sibratsgfäll, Alpenrose inn (closed)
Skiing tours for the advanced 6: juppenspitze (2,412 m)
This skiing tour has perfectly inclined and sunny slopes at higher altitudes.
Difference in altitude: 1,200 m
Starting point: Schröcken, center of village
B 852 H Dorf
7: üntschenspitze (2,135 m)
Striking ski mountain with very nice south- and north-facing slopes in the alpine area.
Difference in altitude: 1,150 m
Starting point: Schoppernau, Bad Hopfreben inn
B 852 H h interhopfreben
8: kanisfluh (2,044 m)
The Kanisfluh – with its steep north side sloping over 1,200 metres –takes you by surprise with an outstandingly lovely skiing tour on its south side.
Difference in altitude: 1,250 m
Starting point: Au, Leue district
B 851 H leue
9: winterstaude (1,877 m)
A route that – in spite of its steep grassy slopes – is possible to walk surprisingly often.
Difference in altitude: 800 m
Starting point: Schetteregg-Egg, lift car park
B 827 H Schilift
10: hochkünzelspitze (2,397 m)
Splendid descents in high alpine terrain for experienced skiers.
Difference in altitude: 1,300 m
Starting point: Schröcken, Landsteg
B 852 H lan DSteg
Freeriding is the enjoyable and comfortable form of off-piste skiing. The ascent is usually by lift and easy – the adventure then begins in untouched terrain.
For reasons of safety and orientation, we recommend to only embark on these tours in the company of the ski schools’ mountain and skiing guides.
This ski race starts at the Hahnenköpfle (Kleinwalsertal) and ends in Schönenbach, close to Bizau. information & termin www.fcbizau.at
Safety tips for off-piste skiing
Please note that you are skiing at your own risk! This brochure only contains suggested routes.
• Off-piste skiing is fun when you master the technique. The Bregenzerwald ski schools offer courses to this end.
• The correct equipment and clothing are essential safety factors.
• Anyone skiing off piste needs avalanche equipment (avalanche search equipment, probe, avalanche shovel, First Aid kit) and also needs to know how to use such equipment!
• Never set off too late. In winter, it starts getting dark at 4.30 p.m.
• Never set off if it is snowing/foggy.
• The skiing and mountain guides are familiar with the place and terrain and ensure that you safely reach your destination – and back home.
emergency telephone numbers (free of charge)
• 112 European emergency number
• 144 alpine emergencies
vorarlberg avalanche warning service
Receive the avalanche report free of charge by email (Avalanche Report Subscription) www.vorarlberg.at/lawine
Respect your boundaries
However, anyone out and about enjoying the countryside needs to keep in mind that it is also a very sensitive habitat for plants and animals which is worth protecting. Please don’t take any short-cuts through forest paths, since they are often used by wild game as a refuge. Moreover, the edges of skis and snowboards can easily damage the young forest. Observe the no-go hunting areas and, if necessary, choose a different tour destination. It is with this in mind that we also appeal to you to respect preservation and conservation areas and to observe any restrictions.
information about protected areas and quiet zones for wildlife: www.respektiere-deine-grenzen.at
Skiing trip on the Hochblanken
xc skiing
Cross-country skiing is very popular as a good way of recharging your batteries in the fresh air. Especially when the cross-country ski runs are as well looked-after as they are in the Bregenzerwald.
cross-country ski runs
50 km of classic cross-country ski runs, 13 km of skating runs
altitude 850 m
preparation
Mid-December until Easter
ski trail fee
Free of charge for guests and locals in Au-Schoppernau.
cross-country skiing courses
• Au-Schoppernau cross-country ski school, M +43 (0)677 61096022 www.langlaufschule-auschoppernau.at
• Au-Schoppernau snow sports school, T +43 (0)5515 2133 www.skischule-schoppernau.com
cross-country-ski rental
• Sport Gorbach, Au T +43 (0)5515 4141-2 www.gorbach.at
• Sport Fuchs, Au T +43 (0)5515 2315 www.sportfuchs.com
• Sport Matt, Schoppernau T +43 (0)5515 4120, www.matt.at
Village cross-country ski run
length 13 km
classification easy to difficult
difference in altitude 85 m
itinerary
From the Au-Argenzipfel district, the trail leads above Argenau and Wieden to Schoppernau and through a wooded area to Vorsäß Armengemach (alpine pasture). It crosses the Bregenzerachsteg (bridge) from there and continues across open fields to the ÄueleWald (forest). It continues by way of Kreuzgasse to the underpass at the Kirchenbrücke (church bridge) and across the Argenbachsteg (bridge) to the Kanisfluh trail.
B 840/850/local buS
H au – JaghauSen / Schoppernau – geMein DeaMt
chances to stop off for a drink/food
Inns in Au-Schoppernau
Village cross-country ski run
cross-country ski runs
20 km of classic cross-country ski runs
12 km of skating runs
altitude 650 m
preparation
Mid-December until mid-March
cross-country skiing courses
Creative movement and crosscountry biathlon school Riefensberg / Hittisau
Ingrid Fink-Nöckler
M +43 (0)664 5323102 www.kreativbewegen.at
cross-country-ski rental
Sport Thomas, Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 31441
www.sport-thomas.at
tip: cross-country skiing at www.bregenzerwald.at
Cross-country skiing trails, trail report and interesting facts
Circuit length 12 km
classification easy to intermediate
difference in altitude 50 m
itinerary
The circuit takes you through all three villages, and can be commenced and terminated at any of the villages.
bezau: B 830/840/850 H Dorfplatz
reuthe: B 833 H geMein DeaMt
bizau: B 833 H geMein DeaMt
characteristic Scenic, charming and varied circuit.
chances to stop off for a drink/food
Inns in Bezau, Bizau and Reuthe
Circuit
cross-country ski runs
10 km of classic cross-country ski runs
10 km of skating runs
altitude 1,500 – 1,700 m
preparation
Early December until mid-April
cross-country skiing courses
Damüls ski school
T +43 (0)5510 295
www.skischule-damuels.at
cross-country-ski rental
• Madlener Sport, Damüls
T +43 (0)5510 391
www.sport-madlener.at
• Intersport Damüls
Uga district:
T +43 (0)5510 25250
Kirchdorf district:
T +43 (0)5510 25291
www.intersport-damuels.at
tip
The free local bus takes crosscountry skiers to the starts of the cross-country ski runs.
Stofel alpine
cross-country ski run
length 2,7 km
classification
Ascent: difficult
Plateau circuit: easy
difference in altitude 99 m
itinerary
Zimba inn – circuit around the high plateau – Zimba inn
B local buS H Stofel / gaSthauS ziMba (Walk to the Starting point)
characteristic Circuit with an impressive mountain panorama.
• Creative movement and crosscountry biathlon school
Riefensberg / Hittisau
Ingrid Fink-Nöckler
M +43 (0)664 5323102
www.kreativbewegen.at
cross-country-ski rental
• Sport Spettel, Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 6341
www.intersport-spettel.at
• Sport Gotthard, Hittisau
T +43 (0)5513 2260
www.sport-gotthard.com
• Jakobs Skishop, Hochhäderich
T +43 (0)5513 8254-61
www.alm-hotel.at
Border country cross-country ski run
Border country cross-country ski run
length approx. 70 km
classification easy to intermediate
difference in altitude 240 m
itinerary
Hittisau centre – Helmisau –
Dornbündt – Sippersegg –
Biberstein – border with Germany – start of the Balderschwang ski-hiking network –return by bus or along the cross-country ski run
B 820/860 H geMein DehauS
characteristic
An extensive cross-country skiing tour which can be shortened according to wishes.
chances to stop off for a drink/food
Inns in Balderschwang and Hittisau
Cross-country ski run in Mellau, Hirschau, Schnepfau
cross-country ski runs
23 km of classic cross-country ski runs
20 km of skating runs
altitude 700 m
preparation
December until March
cross-country skiing courses
Mellau ski & snowboard school
T +43 (0)664 2247639
www.skischule-mellau.at
cross-country-ski rental
Sport Natter, Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 2262
www.sportnatter.com
Cross-country ski run in Mellau, Hirschau, Schnepfau
length 10 km
classification easy
difference in altitude 40 m
itinerary
Car park of Mellau cable cars –Enge – Hirschau – Schnepfau centre (return the same route or by bus)
B 832/833/840 H bergbahnen
characteristc
Lovely route at the foot of the Kanisfluh through the Enge mountain pasture.
chances to stop off for a drink/food
Inns in Mellau, M1 Mellaubahn valley station, Hotel Die Wälderin at Mellaubahn valley station, Café Lässer in Schnepfau
cross-country ski runs
12 km of classic cross-country ski runs
4 km of skating runs
altitude 1,300 m
preparation
December until mid-April
ski trail fee
cross-country-ski rental
Jakobs Skishop, Hochhäderich
T +43 (0)5513 8254-61 www.alm-hotel.at
Hörmoos cross-country ski run
length 8.3 km
classification difficult
difference in altitude 151 m
itinerary
Car park of the Almhotel Hochhäderich – Hörmoos lake – car park of the Almhotel Hochhäderich
characteristic
The course takes you through the sunny high plateau on the Hochhäderich. Those experienced in skating techniques can take a detour to the Falkenhütte.
chances to stop off for a drink/food
Hörmoosalpe, Hochwies inn, Almhotel Hochhäderich
Hörmoos cross-country ski run
cross-country ski runs
9.5 km of classic cross-country ski runs
2 km of skating runs
altitude 1,130 – 1,190 m
preparation
Early December until mid-March
cross-country skiing courses
Cross-country skiing – basic course for traditional technique, available to book daily
Duration: 2 hours
M +43 (0)664 75036843 www.skiboedele.at
Fohramoos cross-country ski run
Fohramoos cross-country ski run
length 9.5 or 6 km (large circuit), 3.5 km (small circuit) – classic 2 km of skating run
classification classic run: easy to intermediate scating run: difficult
difference in altitude 60 m
itinerary
The trip starts and ends at the Oberloselift’s valley station and takes skiers from there through the Fohramoos Nature Reserve. The skating route starts and ends at the Meierei.
B 870 H böDele (Walk to the Starting point)
characteristic Scenic and varied circuit
chances to stop off for a drink/food
Hotel Marvia, Alpenhotel Bödele, Meierei
Cross-country ski run between Sibratsgfäll and Schönenbach
cross-country ski runs
22 km of classic cross-country ski runs
altitude 930 m
preparation
Mid-December until early April
ski trail fee
cross-country skiing courses
Ski school Hittisau-Sibratsgfäll
M +43 (0)664 73086629
www.ski-snowboard-schule.at
Cross-country ski run between Sibratsgfäll and Schönenbach
length 13.4 km
classification intermediate
difference in altitude 150 m itinerary
Krähenberg ski lift – walk to the base of the cross-country ski run at the Bilgeri snack bar – along the Subersach as far as Schönenbach mountain pasture (Schönenbach circuit: 2.7 km) – return the same route.
characteristic A route for cross-country skiing enthusiasts. Particularly scenic route through the valley of the Subersach.
chances to stop off for a drink/food
Krähenberg inn, Bilgeri snack bar in Sibratsgfäll, Jagdgasthaus Egender, Schönenbach
cross-country ski runs
20 km of classic cross-country ski runs
20 km of skating runs
The direct connection to the West Allgäu network of cross-country ski runs provides the trained athlete with over 100 km of cross-country ski runs for all levels of proficiency.
altitude 1,015 m
preparation December until 15 March
ski trail fee (→ p. 45)
cross-country skiing courses
Dietmar Feil
T +49 160 97918102 info@nordicsports4you.de
night-time cross-country skiing
By floodlight every Mon to Fri until 8.30 p.m.
cross-country-ski rental
Nordic Sport Park (→ p. 45)
Panorama cross-country ski run
length 8 km (classic and skating)
classification easy to difficult
itinerary
Leave Oberdorf – continue in the direction of Hochsträß – circuit (it is possible to turn off on to the Westallgäu network of crosscountry ski runs)
B 823 H baDhauS
chances to stop off for a drink/food
Zehrer’s Stadel, inns in Sulzberg
Panorama cross-country ski run
The Nordic Sport Park in Sulzberg offers cross-country skiers around 20 kilometres of trails for classic and skating techniques.
Sulzberg has been known for years as a cross-country skiing centre for recreational and competitive skiers. The location of the extensive plateau at 1,015 metres is perfect for completing challenging training sessions or enjoying the panoramic trail at a leisurely pace.
cross-country ski runs
• All cross-country ski runs are groomed for classic and skating purposes.
• A 4-km circular route is illuminated by floodlights.
Clubloipe
Classification: difficult, 1.8 km
Difference in altitude: 42 m
Moosloipe
Classification: easy, 2 km
Difference in altitude: 55 m
Oberköhlerloipe
Classification: intermediate, 3.5 km
Difference in altitude: 62 m
Panoramaloipe
Classification: easy, 8 km
Difference in altitude: 68 m
cross-country-ski rental
Thursday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. B 823 H baDhauS
information
Tourist office Sulzberg
T +43 (0)5516 2213-10 www.sulzberg-bregenzerwald.com
cross-country skiing trail fee
The cross-country skiing trails in the Nordic Sport Park are subject to charge – also during the day.
• Day ticket € 7
• Season ticket € 86
• Season ticket advance booking € 66
Cross-country skiing in the Nordic Sport Park is free to guests spending three or more nights in Sulzberg (including cross-country skiing at night). Tickets available at the tourist office upon presentation of the Guest Card.
Nordic Sport Park Sulzberg
cross-country ski runs
14 km of classic cross-country ski runs
4 km of skating runs
altitude
1,600 – 1,700 m
preparation
December until mid-April
cross-country skiing courses
• Ski school Warth
T +43 (0)5583 3443
www.skischule-warth.com
• Ski school Salober-Schröcken
T + 43 (0)5583 38688
www.skischule-salober.com
• Snow sports school in Warth –Arlberg Snowsports
M +43 (0)664 3833632
www.arlberg-snowsports.at
cross-country-ski rental
• Sporttraum Schröcken
T +43 (0)5519 30314
www.sporttraum.at
• Sporttraum Warth
M +43 (0)5583 33901
www.sporttraum.at
• Jug Sports Arlberg
T +43 (0)5583 39827
www.sport-jug.at
• Sport 2000 Center Knitel, Warth
T +43 (0)5583 3612
www.sport-center-hotel-garni.at
Around Kalbelesee
length 2 km
classification easy
difference in altitude 0 m
itinerary
Salober car park – around Kalbelesee – Salober car park
B 852 H Saloberlifte
characteristic
Flat trail in a sunny location, also suitable for beginners
chances to stop off for a drink/food
Salober hospitality at the SaloberJet’s valley station
Around Kalbelesee
family tips
How about a lantern walk at dusk?
Trips to farms provide exciting insights into the world of farming.
The Bregenzerwald boasts the best conditions for enjoyable family holidays. Friendly hosts in the hotels, guest houses, holiday apartments and on the farms offering holidays ensure the right setting for this.
Au-Schoppernau – sheep pen wool
Discover some fascinating facts about large and small sheep in the old sheep pen: fragrant mountain hay in the hayloft, haymaking tools, wool processing, production of a fragrant sheep’s wool cushion, concluding with an exciting sheep story.
Meeting point: Church in Au, Rehmen
B 840/850 H lugen (Walk to the Meeting point)
Dates: 7 January to 1 April 2026, every Wednesday, additionally Tuesday, 30 December 2025 at 4 p.m.
Duration: approx. 1 ½ hours
Age: from 4 years
Price per person: € 8 incl. sheep’s wool cushion, drink and “sheep biscuits” information & booking by 5 p.m. the day before
Tourist office Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2288 www.au-schoppernau.at
Au-Schoppernau – farm experience
Life on the farm has a magical appeal to children. They are allowed to stroke the animals and watch the farmer feed, care for and milk the animals.
Meeting point: Church in Au, Rehmen
B 840/850 H lugen (Walk to the Meeting point)
Date: 30 December 2025 until 7 April 2026: every Tuesday at 5.30 p.m.
Length: approx. 1 hour
Price per person: free of charge information & registration
Tourist office Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2288
www.au-schoppernau.at
Au-Schoppernau – lantern-lit ramble Carrying brightly lit lanterns and accompanied by mascot “SCHOPPI”, the children ramble through Schoppernau. The lanterns can be taken home, and burn brightly as a reminder.
Meeting point: tourist information office, Schoppernau
B 850 H geMein DeaMt
In the sheep pen
Dates: 8 January to 12 March 2026, every Thursday, additionally Monday, 29 December 2025 and Monday, 5 January 2026, at 5.30 p.m.
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Price per person: free of charge information & registration by 12 p.m.
Tourist office Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2495 www.au-schoppernau.at
Au-Schoppernau – storm lantern hike
Romantic hike through the inviting winter landscape of Au-Schoppernau. There’s also a stop for refreshments at the Feuerkessel along the way and a tour of the over 440-yearold Vorsäßhütte (alpine hut) in Holdamoos.
Meeting point: Hotel Restaurant Schiff in Au
B 840/850 H lugen
Date: 29 December 2025 until 30 March 2026, every Monday at 8 p.m.
Price per person: free of charge information & registration by 5 p.m.
Tourist office Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2288 www.au-schoppernau.at
Bezau – lantern-lit walk to the Deerofo Evening walk by lantern light through Bezau with a stop at the “Deerofo”. The walk concludes with a little drink at this lovingly restored barn that was once used by the whole village as a drying chamber.
Meeting point: 8 p.m. at the fountain in the village square (near Hotel Gams)
B 830/840/850 H Dorfplatz
Date: Every Wednesday, from beginning of January to beginning of April 2026
Duration: Approx. 1 hour
Price per person: € 8 (children free)
information & registration by 4 p.m. the day before
Tourist office Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 2295
www.bezau-bregenzerwald.com
Bezau – right at the heart of the farm
Interesting facts about working and living on the farm are shared with visitors. The animals can be fed and petted which will be followed by a brief tasting of products made on a farm.
Meeting point: Ronklädele, Ellenbogen 197, Bezau
B 832/833//840/850 H SozialzentruM (Walk to the Meeting point)
Dates: Mid-December 2025 to end of April 2026, every Thursday at 5 p.m.
Duration: 1 ½ hours
Price per person: € 5
information & registration by 4 p.m the day before
Bezau Tourismus
T +43 (0)5514 2295
www.bezau-bregenzerwald.com
Damüls – indoor playground
The “Spielhaus” with a 170-squaremetre indoor playground is particularly popular with children and parents.
Particularly well suited for families: a romantic ramble into the silence of the night. The light of the lanterns, of the moon and the stars, make the outing into a special experience. Guide Marianne relates stories on the way.
Meeting point: Falken inn, EggGroßdorf
B 820/890 H zentruM
Date: End of December until the end of March: every Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Length: approx. 1 hour
Price per person: free of charge information & registration by 4 p.m. on Monday
Tourist office Egg
T +43 (0)5512 2426 www.egg-bregenzerwald.com
Egg – farm visit for young and old
The Meusburger family welcomes visitors to see their modern freerange stable. It’s a place where the animals feel happy and like being stroked. And, afterwards, interested visitors will be able to take a look at the cheese depot and purchase some of the products made at the farm.
Meeting point: Sieban 72, Egg-Großdorf
Dates: every Saturday at 4.30 p.m. between end of December and the middle of March
Price per person: € 5, Children up to 12 years of age free information & registration
Hilde Meusburger
M +43 (0)664 6304073
Lantern-lit ramble
Mellau – lantern-lit ramble
The guests ramble through the snow-covered wintry landscape with Andreas at dusk.
Meeting point: Tourist office Mellau B 833/840/850 H zentruM
Date: Middle December 2025 until middle of April 2026: every Thursday at 8 p.m.
Length: approx. 1 ½ hours
Price per person: € 5, Children free information & registration by 3 p.m.
Tourist office Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 2203
www.mellau.com
Mellau – experience farm up close Experiencing and getting acquainted with stable and farm work: the Bertsch family is always happy to get help with feeding and milking the animals.
Meeting point: Bertsch farm, Oberfeld 103, Mellau B 833/840/850 H zentruM
Dates: Middle December 2025 until middle of April 2026, dates according to weekly event calendar
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Price per person: € 5, Children free information & registration by 3 p.m.
Tourist office Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 2203
www.mellau.com
tip: more ideas
Kids’ programme in the skiing areas (→ from p. 12)
Horse-drawn sleigh and carriage trips (→ p. 71)
Tobogganing (→ p. 72)
Metzler naturhautnah, Egg (→ p. 99)
Day trip tips (→ p. 52)
Experiencing a farm
There is plenty for families to do should the weather not play ball.
Museums and exhibitions
inatura – nature show in Dornbirn
Touch, crawl in, try out, play and experiment.
www.inatura.at
B 850/860/870 H bahnhof, city buS
Spielfabrik – indoor playground
Dornbirn
2,000 m² for playing, running around, climbing, grass and jumping. www.spielfabrik.at
B 850/860/870 H bahnhof, city buS
Trampoline and Action Park in Dornbirn
Trampoline park, including parkour and indoor pump park. www.highmatrausch.at
B 850/860/870 H bahnhof, city buS
Indoor swimming pools
Seebad Bregenz (Lakeside Swimming)
Tournament pool 25 m, swimmers’ pool 25 m, children’s pool, indoor slide 77 m
www.stadtwerke-bregenz.at
B 820/830/840 H bahnhof (Walk)
Dornbirn municipal pool
Multi-purpose pool, 3 m diving platform, 1 m diving board, 25 m sports pool, tube slide
www.dasstadtbad.at
B 850/860/870 H bahnhof (Walk or city buS)
Swimming pool in Vitalhotel
Quellengarten in Lingenau 25 m pool, kids’ pool
www.quellengarten.at
B 860 H hallenbaD or St. anna-kapelle
Aquaria adventure pool in Oberstaufen (Germany)
Family swimming pool with water slides, diving platforms and much more information
www.aquaria.de
B 820/890 H MalaS (Walk)
Climbing halls
K1 climbing hall, Dornbirn
Climbing wall area: 2,600 m² in total, including 600 m² training area with 250 climbing routes, difficulty levels 3 – 11, 600 m² outdoor area, events (competitions, film screenings), climbing courses
www.k1-dornbirn.at
B 850/860/870 H bahnhof
“Kletterwald” (“Climbing Forest”), Egg
Climbing hall in the Egg secondary school: 500 m² climbing area, preascent area at a height of 12 m, 20 lines and around 50 routes, two automatic belay devices (Toppas), bouldering cave with campus board and system wall.
Over 30 routes and a children’s area in the center of Sibratsgfäll.
0pening times
Mon – Sat 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun & bank holidays 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. tickets
www.boulderox.com
B 860 H Dorfplatz
active winter
There are various ways to explore the winter landscapes. Hiking and tobogganing, for example. Or guided snow shoe tours, by horse-drawn sleigh or horse-drawn carriage.
There are plenty activities for those whose winter enjoyment is found away from the piste. Winter hiking paths guide you through picturesque landscapes and to lovely viewpoints.
signposts
Winter hiking paths throughout the whole of the Bregenzerwald are clearly signposted in an easily visible pink.
notes on safety
• Make sure that you have the right equipment with you, such as adequate, waterproof footwear (e.g. climbing boots) and warm outerwear. Further useful items include: headgear, gloves, snow goggles or sunglasses, sun screen. “Shoe chains” prevent slipping on ice and snow: they are available from shoe shops and sport shops. Sticks are also helpful.
Tour tips and interesting facts tip: winter hiking at www.bregenzerwald.at
• Stick to the signposted hiking paths (pink signposts).
• Taking short steps and maintaining an even pace going uphill save your strength, and go easy on the joints going downhill.
• Slightly bending your upper body forwards when going downhill reduces the danger of slipping.
No obligation to use a lead: Alberschwende, Andelsbuch, Doren, Krumbach, Langen b. Bregenz, Reuthe, Sulzberg
Winter hiking on the Diedamskopf
Negrelli’s church and endless views –Sulzberg mountain path
From Wellnesshotel Linde, Schönenbühl (820 m), a cleared agricultural path, or, if snow is plentiful, a hiking piste, leads to the mountain farms in Unterköhler: from there, you take a flattened hiking path to the Oberköhler plot of land at 985 m, then you follow a forest path to the approach road on the sunny side to Sulzberg, which you then follow on past the parish church to Sulzberg village square (1,013 m) with endless views across the Bregenzerwald. On the way back, you pass the sports field in Buch, then take the hiking piste back to the Wellnesshotel Linde.
starting point
Sulzberg-Schönenbühl
culture on the route
As the “village on the mountain”, the location of Sulzberg in Vorarlberg gives it a very special quality of its own. The parish church in the Empire style is exceptional. It was built in 1828/29 by Alois Negrelli, the designer of the Suez Canal.
characteristic
Scenic mountain path on mainly flattened hiking paths chances to stop off for a drink/food
Wellnesshotel Linde (Schönenbühl), inns in Sulzberg, Bäckerei Alber (bakery)
tip
Culinary Winter Hikes (→ p. 104)
Difference in altitude: up: 190 m/ down: 190 m
Total hiking time: 2 ½ hours
B 823 H Schönenbühl
Through the open landscape close to Sulzberg
Across the upland moor –the Hochhäderich circuit
The route follows almost completely flattened hiking trails through the mountain valley basin between the Nagelfluh ridges of Hochhäderich and Kojen-Fluh. It takes you from the Hochhäderich car park (1,227 m) across the Austrian-German border, and takes you up to the plateau of the Hörmoos alp (1,270 m). From there, you go downwards for a while to the Hochwies alp (1,230 m), then to the Glutgschwanden alp (1,200 m) and finally back to the starting point via the Moos alp (1,224 m).
starting point
Hochhäderich car park culture on the route
The cross-border circuit connects the Bregenzerwald with Oberallgäu, i.e. Vorarlberg with Bavaria. Between the approach road and the Moos alp, the blanket of snow conceals the Kojenmoos, an upland moor which has been widely preserved and which is protected. The Riefensberg locals used to cut peat here, and convey it into the valley via a material ropeway. characteristic
Lovely mountain path in the alp area of the Vorderwald chances to stop off for a drink/food
Hotel Hochhäderich, Hörmoos alp, Hochwies alp, Glutgschwanden alp, Moos alp
Difference in altitude: up: 70 m/ down: 70 m
Total hiking time: 2 ½ hours
Out and about on the Hochhäderich
A circuit with a view –around the village of Hittisau
From the centre of the village (790 m), you follow a flattened hiking path along the cross-country ski run until you reach the Brand plot of land. Cross the road, where a path takes you up to Bütscheln (860 m). Via scenic hillside locations, you follow a flattened winter hiking path to the part of the village called Korlen. From here, take in the lovely views of Hittisau as you return to the starting point.
starting point
Village hall in Hittisau
culture on the route
With over 100 alps – making it the village with the most alps in Austria! – Hittisau has a long tradition in the art of alpine dairy farming, and was one of the first centres for full-fat cheese making in Vorarlberg. Also worth a visit is the Women’s Museum in Hittisau.
(→ p. 92)
characteristic
A gentle walk with lovely views chances to stop off for a drink/food
Inns in Hittisau
Difference in altitude: up: 110 m/ down: 110 m
Total hiking time: approx. 1 ½ hours
B 820/860 H geMein DehauS
Around the village of Hittisau
On the Brüggelekopf in Alberschwende
The winter hiking trail leads from the village square over sunny slopes to Lanzen and Tannen. It takes hikers through a section of forest to Müselbach and then finally to the Parzelle Kaltenbrunnen above Egg. The trail continues through the holiday home complex and then along a partly well-trodden forest path to Brüggelekopf. Beautiful views of Lake Constance and the Bregenzerwald mountains may be enjoyed from the top of the mountain. The way back is the same or a bit shorter along the toboggan run.
starting point
Alberschwende, village square culture on the route
The Lorenapass is an old pass into the Bregenzerwald. It was the preferred link to the Rhine Valley from the Middle Ages to the middle of the 19th century.
characteristic
A panoramic hike on partly well-trodden and partly prepared winter hiking trails up to the local mountain that is the Brüggelekopf. chances to stop off for a drink/food
Alpengasthof Brüggele, inns in Alberschwende info
It’s also good to know that toboggans are available to hire at the Alpengasthof Brüggele during opening hours so that visitors can ride down on a toboggan.
Difference in altitude: up: 463 m/ down: 463 m
Total hiking time: 4 ¼ hours
B 830/840/850/860 H DorfzentruM
Winter landscape at the Brüggelekopf in Alberschwende
Architecture and wide vistas in Andelsbuch
The trip starts at the Andelsbuch tourist office. The route towards the Parzelle Wirth leads past modern residential buildings and large stately farms. It continues on a country lane along the edge of the Andelsbuch field to the slopes of the Bregenzerach valley. And then it returns to the village centre above the dam past the power station that was built during the Art Nouveau period (opened in 1908).
starting point
Andelsbuch tourist office
culture on the route
The trades in the Bregenzerwald region catches attention across borders. The Werkraum Haus is often the venue for interesting exhibitions, guided tours and presentations of innovative work in the trades.
(→ p. 86)
characteristic
Relaxing walk around Andelsbuch chances to stop off for a drink/food
Künz Backhandwerk (bakery), inns in Andelsbuch
Difference in altitude: up: 28 m/ down: 28 m
Total hiking time: 1 ¼ hours. B 840/850 B geMein DeaMt
Andelsbuch in winter
Panorama hike –
Bödele-Schwarzenberg
From the bus stop on the Bödele (1,140 m), take a short walk along the road to Schwarzenberg where you pick up the winter hiking path. Cross the pistes of the Hochälpele lift, hike through alpine forests to the Hochälpele alp /Niederälpele (1,250 m, extensive views across the Bregenzerwald) and continue to Lustenau hut (1,250 m, chance to take a detour to the Bregenz hut).
From Lustenau hut, take a scenic path across the Klausberg mountain pasture down into Schwarzenberg (695 m).
starting point
Bödele
culture on the route
It was on the Bödele, close to Losen pass, an ancient crossing into the Rhine Valley, that Otto Hämmerle, an industrialist from Dornbirn, erected a countryside summer resort. After the Arlberg, the Bödele is the second birthplace of Vorarlberg skiing (in 1903/1904 a ski jump was built, and the first ski race was held. In 1907, the first ski lift in the world was built here).
characteristic
Hike into the valley on wide-tracked winter paths
chances to stop off for a drink/food
Bödele, Bregenzer Hütte, Lustenauer Hütte, inns in Schwarzenberg
Difference in altitude: up: 120 m/ down: 570 m
Total hiking time: 3 hours
B 870 H böDele
Out and about on the Bödele near Schwarzenberg
Where cattle graze in the summer –Schetteregg circuit
The entire route follows flattened hiking trails. It takes you from Schetteregg (1,066 m) to the alpine pasture area of Eggatsberg and Hammeratsberg, with the lovely Bregenzerwald mountain pasture huts. You soon arrive at the Untere Falz alp, where you get lovely views of the southern mountains of Bullerschkopf and Winterstaude (1,877 m). The route now takes you up to the Obere Falz alp and continues into the Ochsenhof alp area. Your return trip is rewarded with lovely views of Schetteregg and the foreland of the Bregenzerwald.
starting point
Schetteregg car park
culture on the route
Eggatsberg and Hammeratsberg are two cooperative mountain pastures. They are collective property, whereas the huts are private property. The cattle are brought here for several weeks each spring and autumn, the milk is processed into butter and cheese in the collective’s own dairy. During the summer, the pastures are mowed. The Falz alps are extensive dairy alps.
characteristic
Varied circuit through the peaceful mountain pasture and alp area chances to stop off for a drink/food
Inns in Schetteregg
Difference in altitude: up: 180 m/ down: 180 m
Total hiking time: 2 ½ hours
B 827 H Schilift
Alp landscape, Schetteregg
Sibratsgfäll – Georunde Rindberg
The tour brings you closer to the power of Mother Nature, letting you experience it for yourself: in May 1999, the mountainsides in the plot moved inexorably. The major incident left behind deep scars. On the landscape as well as on the spirit of the village. The stations of the Georunde Rindberg trace the happenings, communicate interesting information and provide insights into the way the inhabitants of Sibratsgfäll dealt with the situation. Felber’s leaning house is a very special experience and conveys to the visitors the physical forces of nature.
starting point
Felber’s leaning house destination
Alpenrose inn (closed) culture on the route
Eight stations: Felber’s leaning house – The moved house –Living on a slant – Not quite perpendicular – The leaning fir tree –The demolition – St Mary’s Chapel –Alpenrose inn www.bewegtenatur.at chances to stop off for a drink/food
Inns in Sibratsgfäll info
The trail ist not groomed, the use of snowshoes is recommended.
Difference in altitude: up: 130 m/ down: 130 m
Trail category: separate signposting Total hiking time: approx. 1 hour
B 860 H Dorfplatz (Walk to the Starting point)
The “Living on a slant” station – Georunde Rindberg in Sibratsgfäll
To the loveliest mountain pasture –Sibratsgfäll-Schönenbach
If you take the bus, you must first take the road or follow the flattened winter hiking path down to the car park in Krähenberg (approx. 30 minutes). From the Krähenberg car park, the road descends steeply to Bilgeri’s snack bar in Krähenberg. The flattened winter path starts here (keep on the cross-country ski run). Crossing a narrow gorge with impressive views down to the Subersach is a lovely experience. The valley soon reveals itself, and the beautifully located mountain pasture settlement of Schönenbach (1,025 m) is in front of you.
starting point
Car park at Krähenberg ski lift
culture on the route
Schönenbach is one of the loveliest, largest mountain pasture settlements. It was mentioned for the first time in 1491, comprises over 25 huts and one chapel. Cattle graze on the mountain pasture before and after the alp period in spring and autumn and the milk is processed into butter and cheese in a collective alpine dairy. chances to stop off for a drink/food
Inns in Sibratsgfäll, Jausenstation
Camping Bilgeri (Snack Station), Jagdgasthaus Egender, Schönenbach tip
Culinary Winter Hikes (→ p. 104)
Difference in altitude: up: 200 m/ down: 200 m
Total hiking time: from Krähenberg car park: 3 ½ hours, from Sibratsgfäll: 4 ½ hours B 860 H Dorfplatz (Walk)
Mountain pasture settlement, Schönenbach
Walk up, toboggan down –Bergkristall hut in Au
From Au (800 m), a perfectly prepared path takes you along the northern edge of the Lug, mainly through a forest, up into the Dürrenbachtal to the idyllically located Boden mountain pasture. This is also the location of the Bergkristall hut located at an altitude of over 1,200 m. This tranquil, beautiful mountain valley is surrounded by the impressive, steeply rising rock massifs of the Zitterklapfenstock (2,403 m). You descend the same way. When the conditions are right, it is a good idea to take along a sledge for the descent into the valley.
starting point
Au, village hall
culture on the route
The Boden mountain pasture is a rural settlement with a chapel. The land is collective property, whereas the huts are private property. This is where the farmers come with their cattle for several weeks before and after the summer.
characteristic
Rewarding hike in a tranquil, remote mountain valley chances to stop off for a drink/food
Inns in Au, Bergkristall hut (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays) info
Please contact the tourist information office in Au-Schoppernau for the conditions for sledging.
T +43 (0)5515 2288
Difference in altitude: up: 420 m/ down: 420 m
Total hiking time: 3 ½ hours
B 850 H geMein DeaMt
Chapel in the mountain pasture settlement of Boden, close to Au
On ancient Walser trails –the Damüls alpine circuit
From Damüls (1,425 m), you follow the path towards Oberdamüls and after the Gasthaus Ursprung continue on the fully prepared valley path next to the cross-country ski run as far as the Unterdamüls. Then up the mountain to the Alpengasthof Jägerstüble (1,614 m). From here, a mountain path takes you up to an altitude of approx. 1,700 m (views as far as the Rätikon), past the Alpe Oberdamüls (1,667 m) and to Oberdamüls. From Alpenstern Panoramahotel you walk along the road back to where you started.
starting point
Tourist office Damüls
culture on the route
Damüls is one of the first documented Walser settlements in Vorarlberg (enfeoffment with Uga alp in 1313, and with “Tamülls” alp in 1326). There is documentary evidence of its own parish church dating back to 1382. The late Gothic church (1484) has a remarkable interior such as frescoes from around 1490.
characteristic
A marvellous mountain circuit at an altitude of over 1,400 m with a unique view of the mountains chances to stop off for a drink/food
To the mountain hotel at the lake –Hochtannbergpass – Körbersee
Take the winter hiking trail from the Hochtannbergpass (1,676 m) past the frozen Kalbelesee lake and the Körberkreuz. From there take a considerable hike up to the Witelesattel (1,750 m) and then down to the Berghotel Körbersee (1,665 m). If the snow conditions are good, it is worth following this up by taking another walk around the frozen Körbersee (voted Austria’s most beautiful place in 2017). If you take the right piste on the way back, you will enjoy a circuit back to the starting point
starting point
Hochtannberg pass chances to stop off for a drink/food
Berghotel Körbersee, S1 Ski Lounge, Hotel Adler tip
Guided winter hikes while incidentally discovering interesting facts about the culture and nature:
• ALPINE-PASSION, Jürgen Riegger www.alpine-passion.at
In many towns and villages, hiking and mountain guides take guests on snowshoe tours. Expert guides show guests how to walk properly on snowshoes. Those walking with professional guides should particularly observe the wildlife quiet zones and stay on the designated routes.
Au-Schoppernau – Diedams-Panorama
Snowshoe Tour
This tour presents a fantastic panorama from the mountain with the most magnificent views in the Bregenzerwald. The tour starts with a ride by cable car up to the mountain station, continues with a hike to the summit cross on Diedamskopf and then dives into a beautiful winter mountain world away from the skiing area.
Meeting point: Bergbahnen Diedamskopf (Cable Car) valley station
B 840/850 H DieDaMSkopfbahn
Date: every Monday, 12 p.m.
Duration: approx. 4 hours
Price per person: € 40, incl. snowshoes and poles, excl. cable-car ticket
Minimum age for children: 6 years information & registration
Markus Moosbrugger
M +43 (0)664 3429465 www.mitmoses.at
tip: how to behave
Information about protected and quiet zones for wildlife: www.respektiere-deine-grenzen.at (→ p. 34)
Au-Schoppernau – hike to the Neuhornbachhaus
The cable car takes hikers to the mountain station from where they can hike on snowshoes down to the Diedamssattel, on through the beautiful Haldental valley and then up over the Neuhornbachjoch to the Neuhornbachhaus. Back to the valley either by toboggan or on foot – depending on the prevailing conditions.
Meeting point: Schneesportschule Au-Schoppernau, cable-car station
B 840/850 H DieDaMSkopfbahn
Date: upon request
Duration: around 5 hours, incl. breaks
Price per person: upon request information & registration by Tuesday 3.30 p.m
Schneesportschule Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2133 www.skischule-schoppernau.com
Au-Schoppernau – “In the footsteps of the Walser people”
At 9.50 a.m., departure by bus to the Hochtannberg Pass. The trip follows in the footsteps of the Walser people, past the Körbersee lake, on to the Batzenalpe and to the finish in Schröcken. Guests will be hiking through a beautiful winter landscape surrounded by a fantastic world of mountains with the Bregenzerwald’s highest peaks.
Start: 10.15 a.m. Saloberlifte bus stop at the Hochtannbergpass
B 852 H hochkruMbach
Saloberlifte
Date: Every Tuesday
Return: around 3 p.m.
Price per person: € 65 incl. snowshoes and poles, excl. bus ticket
Minimum age for children: 6 years
information & registration
Markus Moosbrugger
M +43 (0)664 3429465
www.mitmoses.at
Bizau – winter landscapes
Konrad Feurstein, who is the hiking guide on this tour, reveals special insights and vistas.
Meeting point: village square Bizau
B 833 H geMein DeaMt
Date: 26 December 2025 until 20 March 2026: every Friday at 10 a.m.
Length: approx. 3 hours
Price per person: € 25
Minimum number of participants: 4 information & registration
Pius or Konrad Feurstein
M +43 (0)664 1344358, www.bizau.at
Damüls – hike at full moon through the winter landscape in the quiet of the evening.
Dates: 5 December 2025, 3 January, 1 February, 3 March, 2 April 2026
information, price & registration online by 5 p.m. the day before at www.grosseswalsertal.at/bergaktiv
Damüls Faschina Tourismus
T +43 (0)5510 620, www.damuels.at
Egg-Schetteregg –mountain pasture landscape
The guided hike commences in Schetteregg, which lies in a tranquil side valley. The hike takes you to two mountain pasture settlements.
Meeting point: Hotel Schetteregger Hof
B 827 H Schilift
Date: Every Thursday at 9.30 a.m.
Middle / end of December until around the middle of March, depending on snow conditions. The full-moon snowshoe hike will also be taking place once a month.
Length: approx. 2 hours
Price per person: € 25 including snow shoe rental
information & registration by Wednesday until 12 p.m.
Tourist office Egg
T +43 (0)5512 2426 www.egg-bregenzerwald.com
Damüls – walk by the light of storm lanterns with the mountain rescue service
Members of the Damüls staff of the mountain rescue service accompany guests on a 45-minute walk by the light of storm lanterns through the snow-covered mountain village.
Times: Every Monday at 8.45 p.m., from 12 January to 30 March 2026
Meeting point: Uga valley station, Kirchdorf at the tourist office and Oberdamüls car park
information
Tourist office Damüls Faschina
T +43 (0)5510 620, www.damuels.at
Mellau – adventure hike on snowshoes
Hiking guide Erwin will be accompanying the group through the Mellental nature reserve. The destination is the “Vorsäß Dös” settlement. The hike returns to the village following refreshments and a small snack.
Meeting point: 10 a.m. Tourist office
Mellau
B 832/833/840 H zentruM
Dates: every Wednesday from December 2025 to April 2026 with appropriate snow conditions (alternative offers by arrangement)
Duration: approx. 4 hours
Price per person: € 58, incl. equipment, tour planning, tour guide and refreshments
information & registration
by Tuesday 3 p.m.
Tourist office Mellau
T +43 (0)5518 2203 www.mellau.com
Riefensberg – snowshoe taster tour
Comfortable snowshoe walk into the sunset in the idyllic Hochhäderich region.
Meeting point: Jakobs Skishop
Dates: December to April, every Tuesday at 4.45 p.m.
Duration: Approx. 1 ½ to 2 hours
Price per person: On inquiry
information & registration
Jakobs Skishop
M +43 (0)664 9141095
Schnepfau – snowshoe hike “with a view of the Kanisfluh”
The different snowshoe tours always open up new perspectives on the imposing Kanisfluh depending on the snow situation and condition.
Meeting place: by arrangement
Date: daily on request
Minimum number of participants: 4
Duration: half day or day tour
Price per person: half day tour € 52, day tour € 62
information & registration
Aktivzentrum Bregenzerwald M +43 (0)676 7837878
www.aktiv-zentrum.at
Schnepfau – Winter-(E-)Bike
Wonderland
Snow-covered trails come to life on spikes that defy the snow and ice – an experience that makes bikers’ hearts skip a beat and presents fans of nature with unforgettable moments.
Date: daily on request
Minimum number of participants: 6
Duration: between 3 and 5 hours
information, price & registration
Aktivzentrum Bregenzerwald
M +43 (0)676 7837878
www.aktiv-zentrum.at
Schwarzenberg – snow-shoe hiking in the nature reserve
Tour guide Jodok takes his guests through the nature reserve “Fohramoos” at the Bödele – an extensively intact upland moor featuring bog forests.
Minimum number of participants: 4
Place: Bödele/Schwarzenberg
Meeting point: Bus stop opposite Hotel Marvia
B 870 H böDele
Time: 9 a.m. every Wednesday between mid-December and midMarch, further dates on request
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Price per person: € 37 including snow shoes
information & registration the day before until 12 p.m.
Jodok Kohler M +43 (0)664 1620523
Schwarzenberg – forest and nature in winter – snowshoe hike
The Fohramoos with its gnarled birches, low bog-pine and snow-covered mountain-pine forests presents itself in a mystical atmosphere. Animal tracks can be found in the snow. Hiking guide and herb expert Katharina Moosbrugger shares fascinating stories about local wildlife and the forest.
tip: snowshoe tour
Sibratsgfäll – Rindberg geological tour (→ p. 62)
Minimum number of participants: 5
Meeting point: Hotel Marvia Bödele
B 870 H böDele
Dates: Beginning of December until the end of March every Saturday at 2 p.m., other dates on inquiry. This event will also take place even if there’s no snow.
Duration: around 2 ½ hours
Price per person: € 40
information & registration
On the day of the event until 10 p.m.
Katharina Moosbrugger
M + 43 (0)664 4454071 www.naturerfahren.at
Sulzberg snowshoe hike
Hike through Sulzberg’s winter landscape with hiking guide Margaritha.
Minimum number of participants: 4
Meeting point: Tourismusbüro
Sulzberg (Tourist Offices)
B 823/824 H Dorfplatz
Date: 7 January to 2 March 2026, every Monday at 10 a.m.
Duration: around 2 to 3 hours
Price per person: € 20, incl. snowshoe
equipment and poles
information & registration
Until Monday at 9 a.m.
Sulzberg Tourismus
T +43 (0)5516 221310
www.sulzberg-bregenzerwald.com
Warth-Schröcken – evening hike
“Unterwegs auf leisen Sohlen” – “Out and about on quiet soles”
This tour takes you off the beaten track, through unspoilt nature on the Hochtannberg.
Meeting point: Tourist office
Schröcken
B 852 H Dorf
Date: every Tuesday at 4.30 p.m.
Length: approx. 1 ¾ hours
Price per person: € 20 including snow shoes (ab 4 Personen)
information & registration
Alpinschule Schröcken
M +43 (0)664 2525200
www.alpinschule-schroecken.at
Warth-Schröcken – to the loveliest destinations in the area of Hochtannberg
Off the beaten track to enjoy the winter landscape.
Meeting point: Saloberlifte bus stop at the Hochtannbergpass
Certified guides from the Warth Ski School accompany visitors to the most beautiful places around Warth.
Meeting place: Ski-school office
Skischule Warth
B 852 H SteffiSalpe
Date: every Monday at 3.45 p.m.
Duration: 1 hour
Price per person: € 35 including snowshoes and poles
information & registration
Skischule Warth
T +43 (0)5583 3443
www.skischule-warth.com
Out and about on the Hochhäderich
Being pulled along by strong horses and wrapped in a warm blanket on a horse-drawn sleigh or horsedrawn carriage is a great way to glide elegantly across the winter landscape.
Andelsbuch
• Paul Metzler
M +43 (0)664 8015974378
Au-Schoppernau
• Peter Erath
M +43 (0)664 5140834
• Franz-Josef Dünser
T +43 (0)5515 2295
• Jakob Lingg
T +43 (0)5515 2928
Bezau
• Helmut Felder
M +43 (0)664 1344370
Damüls
• Alfons Bischof
Tourist office Damüls Faschina
T +43 (0)5510 620
Egg-Schetteregg
• Sepp Waldner
M +43 (0)664 5173718
Hittisau
• Michael Schelling
M +43 (0)664 3037239
Langenegg
• Franzpeter Vögel
M +43 (0)664 3780733
Mellau
• Gotthard Simma
M +43 (0)664 1155766
Riefensberg
• Fam. Steinhauser
M +43 (0)664 4122915
It is not only children that take great pleasure in visiting the natural toboggan runs that Bregenzerwald has to offer! Merry groups steering their toboggans into the valley are particularly abundant in the evening.
Alberschwende
** Brüggelekopf Tannerberg
Walking time: 1 hour
The walk starts in Dreßlen at the Tannerberg baby ski-lift – 400 metres above Hotel Engel. Length: 4 km
Toboggan rental & information:
Alpengasthof Brüggele
T +43 (0)5579 4391 M +43 (0)664 9750855 www.alpengasthof.com tnformation www.winterrodeln.org
Au-Schoppernau
* Snow-tubing run at Alpen Hotel Post in Au with moving walkway
Snow tubing rental:
Tourist office Au
T +43 (0)5515 2288
* Toboggan lift Grunholz, Au
Length: 650 m
On special toboggans which can be rented at the valley station, you take the ski tow up the mountain.
Tobogganing in the evening: Wed and Fri, 7 – 10 p.m. Toboggan rental at the Grunholz lift.
* Lebernau pasture, Au
Length: 500 m
* Lisse, Au
key
* gentle, for children
** medium, for families
*** strenuous, for adults
Length: 750 m
** Godlachen, Au
Length: 2.9 km
** Gschwend, Schoppernau
Length: 1.5 km
Toboggan rental:
• Sport Fuchs, Au, T +43 (0)5515 2315 www.sportfuchs.com
• Sport Gorbach, Au
T +43 (0)5515 4141-1, www.gorbach.at
• Sport Matt, Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 4120, www.matt.at
Bezau
* Gschwend
Illuminated toboggan run daily until 11 p.m.
Length: 1.7 km
** Baumgarten-Sonderdach (ascent by cable car)
Length: 3 km
Toboggan rental:
Bezau cable car , T +43 (0)5514 2254
www.seilbahn-bezau.at
Bizau
* Escha
Length: 1.2 km
* Bildbühel
Length: 50 m
Damüls
*** Naturrodelbahn Uga (ascent by the Uga Express)
Illuminated toboggan run, Wed and Fri 7.30 – 9.30 p.m. Ascents are not covered by the 3TälerPass.
Length: 2.5 km
Toboggan rental: Madlener Sport, T +43 (0)5510 391 www.sport-madlener.at
Mellau
* Dosegg natural toboggan run (Übermellen)
Daily operation when snow conditions permit. Illuminated on Wed, Fri
and Sat from 5 – 9 p.m., daytime parking at the fire station
Length: around 1.4 km, 800 metres of which are illuminated
Toboggan rental:
Sport Natter, T +43 (0)5518 2262 www.sportnatter.com
Riefensberg
*** Steinernes Tor Length: 1 km
Toboggan rental: Alois Berkmann, T +43(0)5513 8238
Schwarzenberg
** Angelika Höhe I
Length: 400 m
* Angelika Höhe II
Length: 100 m
Toboggan rental:
Berg Fink Ski & Bergsport
T +43 (0)5512 2918, www.bergfink.at
Schwarzenberg Bödele
* Toboggan hill at the top of the pass
** TOBOGGANupHILL at the Oberlose lift with special rental toboggans
Opening times: weekdays up to 15 minutes before closing time, Sat, Sun and every day from 3 – 4 p.m. during the school holidays.
Cost, including rental toboggan: 4 trips € 10, 11 trips € 25 information
T +43 (0)5572 7214, www.boedele.info
Sibratsgfäll
** Krähenberg
Upon request, the toboggan run is illuminated between 7 and 10 p.m.
Tourist office Sibratsgfäll, T +43 (0)5513 2112-13
Length: 800 m
Toboggan rental: Krähenberg lift
M +43 (0)664 3053322
Sulzberg
* village lift
Length: 150 m
Toboggan rental: Nordic Sport Park Sulzberg
Warth-Schröcken
** „Rodelbahn von der Höhi“
Illuminated toboggan run daily until 10 p.m. Monday and/or Thursday toboggan ride, ascent by tractor.
Start: 6 p.m. Groups from 10 people are requested to book
M +43 (0)664 4120529
Length: 700 m
Toboggan rental: Directly on-site
** Toboggan run near the Dorfbahn
Warth cable car
Open daily during skiing hours.
Toboggan evenings on Tuesday and Sunday from: 7 – 9 p.m.
Length: 600 m
Toboggan rental: valley station
Price: During the day, included in the valid ski pass, single trips or tickets for two hours
Toboggan evening in Schröcken
Every Wednesday from 5.15 –7 p.m. The toboggan run may not be used outside of these operating hours due to skiing. Refreshments are available
Special toboggan bus shuttles run at 15-minute intervals (last bus at 7 p.m.).
Length: 2 km
Toboggan rental: from the end at the “6er Bar” in SchröckenHeimboden or from the start in Schröcken-Neßlegg
The Bregenzerwald flying area, Niedere near Bezau-Andelsbuch and Diedamskopf near Au-Schoppernau, is known for its laminar up-draft and its good-natured thermal conditions.
The special thing about it is that an increasing number of flight/training areas can be offered within 10 km with each (wind) direction. The proximity and the easy accessibility of both flying areas ensure that training is both flexible and fast. On the Diedamskopf, you can take off towards the southerly, south-easterly and easterly directions across alpine, steep terrain.
From the approx. 10° in the pullup area, the take-off area continually passes into a steep slope. Two take-off ramps are available for hang-gliders.
The Niedere flying area can be reached with the Bezau cable car and the Diedamskopf flying area with the Diedamskopf cable car.
Paragliders, seen from Diedamskopf
bezau: B 832 H Seilbahn
DieDaMSkopf: B 840/850
H DieDaMSkopfbahn
information & lessons
Bregenzerwald flying school
T +43 (0)5514 3177 www.gleitschirmschule.at
Also on offer: tandem flights
Tandem mobile
M +43 (0)664 5127765
Andelsbuch – themed trail “Flugmeile”
Seven stations provide information about local conditions, historical developments, achievements and much more. The Flugmeile also has lots to interest young visitors. information www.andelsbuchbregenzerwald.com B 840/850 H geMein DeaMt
forest
From sycamore to silver fir, from rare upright mountain pine to beech: the Bregenzerwald’s landscape stands out for its very different types of forest. Bog forests, gorge forests, alpine forests and – something that’s particular to the Bregenzerwald – continuous cover forests. The best way to explore the recreational areas is by hiking and specialised programmes.
Around 1,000 years ago, the region now known as the Bregenzerwald was largely covered with trees. That’s also probably how the Bregenzerwald came to its name. Today, around 40% of the Bregenzerwald with its 23 villages is forest. The forests are very important to the Bregenzerwald and its cultivated landscape and show how sustainability is actually being lived in the region.
The forest shapes the landscape and makes the changing seasons apparent. Many trees come into bloom in spring and provide shade and protect from the heat in summer. Then they display of a wide range of different colours during the autumn before presenting their romantic side in the snow-covered winter landscapes. People take pleasure from forests throughout the year. Forests are a benefit to health, are the habitat for many species of plants and animals and protect villages from avalanches, landslides and floods. They act like air-conditioning systems and constitute the source of the raw materials that architects and craftspeople are able to employ so skilfully.
Specifics of the Bregenzerwald’s forests
All forests in the Bregenzerwald are held in (small-scale) private ownership. They’re not the property of the government as is usually the case in other states in Austria. The predominant species of tree are spruce, beech and silver fir. Silver fir makes up to 80% of the forests in the Lower Bregenzerwald. Careful observers will notice how different the forests look depending on where they’re located.
• Bog forests are typical for such places in the Lower Bregenzerwald as Langen, Sulzberg, Krumbach and Sibratsgfäll as well as the Bödele. These are characterised by shrubby growths, birch and mountain pine, which grow upright there. These are usually found more in France and Switzerland but, in Austria, they’re only encountered in Vorarlberg.
• The Bregenzerache valley and its side valleys, e.g. the Argenschlucht near Au and the Mellental near Mellau, are characterised by gorge forests. The air here is usually more humid, which favours the growth of sycamore, ash, mountain elm, yew and silver fir there.
Lecknertal in winter
• Alpine forests, which extend up to altitudes of around 1,900 metres, consist mainly of spruce. High-altitude mountain trees, such as larch and Swiss stone pine, hardly grow in the Bregenzerwald. They’re too sensitive to snow.
• Beech forests thrive in a special geological zone that’s to be found in the area between Andelsbuch and Mellau, which is indicated by the name of “Andelsbuch” (“Buche” being the German for “beech”).
• Sycamore grows in many places. Particularly beautiful specimens are to be found on alpine pastures in the Mellental valley near Mellau where they provide shade for the cows. In the past, alpine herders used to stuff the leaves from these trees into their bed covers.
Feature: continuous cover forests and sustainability
The Bregenzerwald is characterised by its many areas where continuous cover forests grow. This is special because only around 2% of the wooded areas in Austria are managed as continuous cover forests. Such forests have a primeval look
about them. Old and young trees grow together apparently at random. Mainly silver fir, spruce and beech in the Bregenzerwald. But they’re carefully managed forests where different species, sizes and ages of tree are allowed to grow. The forest managers’ task is to occasionally but regularly fell large old individual trees to allow young trees to grow back in the wells of light created in this way. That means that they don’t have to invest effort and money into planting young trees. Continuous cover forests rejuvenate themselves through a process of “natural regeneration”. The creation of such forests is considered the high art of forestry management because it takes profound knowledge and lots of experience to do the right thing there.
Areas with continuous cover forests play a very important role in the preservation of biodiversity. They’re also significantly more resilient to the effects of climate change. Woods with continuous cover forestry are better able to cope with the harmful effects caused by, for instance, drought and storms and such pests
Sulzberg moorland
as fungi and bark beetles, than forests consisting primarily of one species of tree.
Forest and health
Forests are not only important to nature, plants and animals. They’re also extremely valuable for the environment and for us humans. Studies have shown that spending time in forests delivers health benefits. The calm, the clean air, the surrounding greens and terpenes, i.e. the fragrances from trees, contribute greatly to well-being. Anybody wanting to put that claim to the test should just head out into the woods or take part in one of the activities that are supervised by the region’s expert guides.
Forest and design skills
Forests in the Bregenzerwald play an additional important role. The wood from the different trees represents a consistent, renewable and ecological source of raw material that contributes greatly to how value is created in the region. The wood keeps sawmills in business – there’s a sawmill in almost every municipality. Architects use the wood to build houses and design façades, while skilled workers produce furniture and accessories, including shoes and clogs known as “Hölzlar”, from it. More wood grows in the Bregenzerwald than is used. Building with timber has a long tradition in the Bregenzerwald. That’s demonstrated by the many buildings that feature wooden shingles and interiors that boast wooden panelling. Wood from spruce is primarily used for shingles and from silver fir for interiors. Wood from silver fir has the advantage that it doesn’t exude resin.
Forest and climate
Forests and wood are hugely important to the climate and the environment. Wood is a CO2 sink and therefore helps remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Practical examples include timber façades, which store considerable amounts of CO2. Wood, provided it isn’t treated before being used and worked, is 100% recyclable or combustible. Large areas of forest act like airconditioning systems. They cool the atmosphere and purify the air. Forests with a wide range of different species of tree, varied structures and good rejuvenation – especially where continuous cover forestry is employed – are better able to withstand global warming. Wood as a renewable raw material provides environmentally-friendly energy: almost every municipality in the Bregenzerwald operates one or even several biomass heating plants. The local heating plants in such municipalities as Damüls, for instance, deliver around 95% of the energy needed there for heating and hot water. More insights are provided during the guided tours of the biomass heating plant in Au.
Forests and dining
Forests are also a source of many delicacies that range from mushrooms through berries and herbs to venison. Pine-top honey is another forest speciality. Special dishes and oils may be flavoured with herbs from the forest as well as with fir and spruce needles.
Forest hikes, guided forest excursions, adventure and wellness in the forest, architecture and crafts and trades
A magnificent cultivated landscape has developed over many centuries at the place where the Bregenzerwald meets the Allgäu region in Germany; it bears the coveted distinction of having been designated a nature park.
Where the Alps start, Lake Constance is near and a special type of rock characterises the landscape, that’s where the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park is to be found. It’s the place where today 19 municipalities, including nine from the Lower Bregenzerwald, have joined forces to manage the first transnational nature park between Austria and Germany. Alpine pastures with up to 290 species of plants, valuable high-altitude moors, mixed forests and wooded gorges along with a density of alpine pastures that’s unique in Austria characterise the nature park. The impressive Nagelfluhkette mountain range, which runs from west to east for 24 kilometres through the nature park, constitutes the connecting link. Large differences in altitude, geological variety, sustainable alpine farming – all this
has created a large number of different habitats on a relatively small area in the region. That’s why the nature park is home to the shy black grouse, impressive golden eagles, rare Apollo butterflies and very different orchids and gentians.
The Nagelfluhkette Nature Park …
… is the first and so far only transnational nature park that covers areas between Austria and Germany.
… is, with 480 square kilometres, a large international protected area.
… combines 9 municipalities from the Lower Bregenzerwald with 10 Allgäu municipalities. is a hotspot for biodiversity. Rare animal and plant species still live here, such as the Apollo butterfly or the wood pink. takes its name from the impressive Nagelfluhkette, a mountain range that forms the heart of the nature park. has, with more than 500, a high density of alpine meadows.
Tracking animals in the company of a ranger
Respectful use
Those who set out in the nature park on skis, on snowshoes or simply on foot will find overview boards at the starting points to popular winter destinations. The protected zones have also been identified along with the routes on a map. The board also indicates which protected zone benefits from respectful routing. Green directional signs can be found on frequently used tours at prominent points in the landscape; these mark the official route that avoids the protected areas. Visitors following these signs will always be in the “green area’. But those who nevertheless find themselves in front of a “stop sign’ will easily be able to find their bearings again on the map and will know that there is a protected area here and how it can be bypassed without disturbing nature. These protected zones have been carefully defined in cooperation with wintersports enthusiasts, land managers and partners from forestry and hunting. Accordingly, an effort is always made to offer a sensible compromise between attractive routes and the protection of habitats. With a little luck, visitors will also be able to chat with one of the rangers during the exploration of the terrain. More information and interactive maps for planning your winter tours in Vorarlberg and the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park in a nature-friendly way are available at www.respektiere-deine-grenzen.at (Respect Your Boundaries) and www.freiraum-lebensraum.info (Your Space.My Habitat)
“Out and about with rangers – looking for tracks in the winter world”
At first glance, the snow-covered slopes and mountain forests of the nature park look pristine. Upon closer inspection, the tracks left behind by black grouse, mountain rabbits, chamoix, indicate that sensitive animals have their habitat here. People also leave traces behind: be it during leisure time or in the management of forests and meadows. The regular snowshoe hikes in the company of the nature park rangers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from everyday life and to sharpen the senses and eyes for the many marks that both people and animals have made here.
Duration: 4 – 5 hours
Start: 10 a.m.
Meeting point: To be announced at registration
Price per person: free of charge
Number of participants: Min. 6 to max. 15 people What to take with you: weatherproof clothing, backpack, drink and snack, avalanche gear (avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel). The avalanche gear is also available to borrow free of charge on request. information & registration www.nagelfluhkette.info
Respect your boundaries
The “Respektiere deine Grenzen” (“Respect your Boundaries”) initiative appeals to visitors to the forests to be aware and mindful of the forests’ needs and to protect these sensitive natural spaces when they spend time there.
culture
The reflective Advent season in Schwarzenberg, concerts, exhibitions and museums: the calendar of events promises an exciting mix of styles, even in the winter.
If a ranking of the most significant architectural regions in the world were to be drawn up today, Vorarlberg would, without a doubt, be in the top ten. However, this doesn’t just mean the significance of the individual constructions, but also their number and density.
This phenomenon is comparatively new. Whilst it is true that Vorarlberg’s baroque master builders are a fixed feature in specialist literature, whenever the Vorarlberg school of architecture or architects are mentioned, they mean the generation born since 1950 which has been influencing the architecture here for about the past 40 years. Without counting the handful of pioneers that preceded them, this amounts to over 60 people: considering the 412,000 inhabitants, this is an amazing number. Such a ratio is only possible in a region where architecture is appreciated, where one in four houses is designed by architects.
From construction artists to architects
However, this is the result, rather than the explanation, of a development. “Construction artists” is what the players called themselves at the start since, in the face of a vehement conflict with the “establishment” of the building industry and chamber, the title “architect” was refused. According to one of the pioneers, public appearances, the joining of forces and dialogue were important right from the start. The ideal founded in terms of social policy –social, affordable, sustainable, regional – promoted the solidarity of a generation that was searching for new life forms and other ways of cultural expression, that was resisting the sell-out of their land, and that found expression in building. The new type of architecture started off in residential buildings – by way of examining already existing buildings or as a new structure, often for residential groups – and grew into a clear sign of the cultural restoration which soon extended to the economic elite and the public sector.
Old and new come together in the Bregenzerwald
Landscape and wooden buildings
Located somewhat off the beaten track, the Bregenzerwald was part of this development, although in a way of its own. In contrast to the densely populated, industrial and commercial Rhine Valley with its mainly suburban structure, landscape, nature and rural craftsmanship culture is of great importance in the Bregenzerwald. Outside of the Bregenzerwald, groups of houses and farms dominate, whereas inside the Bregenzerwald it is the single-ridge house, outside of the Bregenzerwald it is households which commission the building, whereas inside the Bregenzerwald it is the young craftsmen. The Bregenzerwälder have a greater affinity for craftsmanship in general (Werkraum Bregenzerwald → p. 86): for example, it is in the carpentry trade that the Kaufmann family of architects has its roots. While, following the initial years, the formal experiment is in demand outside, the tendency towards stringency and sobriety increases inside. Rural pragmatism and the discipline of
construction with timber, which is now state-of-the-art, appears to be more effective here. Examining the old buildings is also gaining in importance. Above all, however, the new buildings fit in with the surrounding landscape with regard to material, size and proportion. Is it this attitude that shies at the eccentric and that searches for the typical rather than the unique which guarantees this way of building a wide basis? In any case, good carpentry firms now build residential buildings which architects in other places wouldn’t be capable of building: it is these houses which graze casually in the field like the cattle which are as typical of the region as the farmhouses and the churches.
Worth a visit
It is hard to list remarkable buildings, since many of them are private residential buildings which are not accessible. However, a walk through Bizau, Hittisau or Schwarzenberg can satisfy your curiosity.
Umgang Bregenzerwald → p. 84
Islen holiday home in Mellau
The way people in the Bregenzerwald deal with their environment is the subject of specially marked paths through the villages of the region. Take these paths and, by observing selected objects, experience how people here have shaped their lives, and continue to shape them.
The way we treat each other and the world (German: “Umgang”) needs constant updating. This is the aim of our “Umgang Bregenzerwald”. It is intended to train awareness and an understanding of the world. From 1050, people settled here and gradually took ownership of the valley and mountains. What we admire here as the natural environment is the result of centuries of farming in the valley, on the mountain pastures (the “Vorsäß”; middle level of alpine farming) and the high mountain pasture. The “Umgang Bregenzerwald” draws our attention to the buildings, tools and everyday objects that have developed here over the course of time. And now, the valley is changing from a merely rural region into a sort of new suburb of the “Rhine City”, which reaches from Bludenz to Bregenz.
This offers us a glimpse of the towns of the future: resilient, durable settlements that count both agricultural production and recovery as well as leisure pursuits and tourism amongst their functions. Sustainable building is already well established in the Bregenzerwald today, and the raw materials for the timber houses are obtained locally. This also applies increasingly for catering establishments and craft workshops. Anyone who follows all 12 trails of the “Umgang Bregenzerwald” will realise sometime that these are not village walks; instead, they are a practical training in future urban life. Town planners will find inspiration for the cities of tomorrow here. Perhaps they may also come up with ideas as to how suburbs such as the Bregenzerwald can be provided with transport links to the other parts of the “Rhine City” that are more sustainable. Walking would be best. But as the “Umgang Bregenzerwald” shows, this is a very time-consuming, albeit very beautiful form of transport. Without noise. It also protects the environment which, in the town of the future, will be within its own boundaries, not out in the country.
Discovering architecture and craftsmanship
Lindau
Bregenz
b.LangenBregenz
umgang”
Oberstaufen
Sulzberg
Langenegg
Alberschwende
Hohenems
Dornbirn
Schwarzenberg
Doren Egg
Reuthe
Mellau
Feldkirch
Damüls
Riefensberg
Krumbach
Hittisau
Lingenau
Andelsbuch
Bezau
Bizau
Bludenz
Umgang Bregenzerwald
Around 10 stations, marked by waisthigh rust-coloured posts, draw attention to special aspects of the architecture, craftsmanship and the cultivated landscape on each of the 12 village walks. The walks take between 1.5 and four hours depending on the village. The route and details about the objects have been described in an accompanying folder. The village walks in Schoppernau, Mellau, Bizau, Andelsbuch, Hittisau, Krumbach remain open throughout the winter. The following trails are only partially open in winter: Au, Bezau/Reuthe, Schwarzenberg, Egg, Lingenau, Langenegg. Information about a winter-suitable version is available at the tourist office or from the host.
Sibratsgfäll
Schnepfau
Balderschwang
Schoppernau
Kleinwalsertal
Schröcken
Guided tours of the village and building culture
Discovering more about the facets of village development, architecture and regional skills and craftsmanship: a guided village tour takes place every Friday from January to April. Registration: by 5 p.m. the day before at the respective tourist office.
Start: 9.30 a.m. at the respective tourist office (Au: Church Au Rehmen)
Duration: around 2 hours
Price per person: free of charge.
12 village walks focusing on architecture and craftsmanship tip: “umgang” walks at www.bregenzerwald.at
Road connections Warth – Lech and Laterns – Damüls closed in winter !
Werkraum Bregenzerwald
The Bregenzerwald is not only famed for its modern wooden architecture – its workshops also take new paths. They combine old skills and the traditional use of forms with contemporary design. Their inventive, high-quality products are in demand internationally. Around 100 of the most innovative workshops – from the carpenter through to the light designer – have merged to create the Werkraum Bregenzerwald. As a joint platform, the Werkraum Bregenzerwald organises exhibitions, competitions and talks. The association has joined forces with the commercial colleges in Bezau to run the Werkraum Schule Bregenzerwald for young and upcoming crafts- and tradespeople. The Werkraum Bregenzerwald has been listed in the international UNESCO register for good practical examples for the maintenance and continuation of intangible cultural assets since 2016.
Werkraum Haus
The Werkraum Haus opened its doors in the centre of Andelsbuch in the summer of 2013. The building was planned by the renowned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. It was actually built by the members of the Werkraum Bregenzerwald workshops known and appreciated by Peter Zumthor due to long-term cooperation. The visionary design is based on two keynotes. On the one hand, the hall-like building serves as a meeting place. On the other hand, it is a huge showcase for presenting the culture of craftsmanship in the Bregenzerwald.
This idea is expressed in a wide protruding roof made of wood and a façade made of glass. There is no division between the interior and the exterior, and the landscape is allowed to flow through the building.
Werkraum Haus in Andelsbuch
Consultancy and shop
The Werkraum Haus is the place to find out more about the craftsmen’s trades in the Bregenzerwald region. Regional hand-crafted products and relevant technical literature are available from the shop.
Werkraum Café
The café brings regional artisan culture and hospitality together and invites visitors to spend a little time there. Cakes from the region are served here with coffee and other drinks.
Exhibition
The “unplugged – die kraft der holzverbindungen” (“unplugged – the power of wood joints’) exhibition in the Werkraum Haus presents traditional and contemporary wood joints used in skilled work, architecture and design. Numerous handmade samples, 1:1 models and practical applications are used to vividly convey the topic to visitors. It’s also possible for children to explore the exhibition in a playful way.
Entrance fee
€ 8 regular price, € 7 concessions
Free admission for children and adolescents up to 19 years.
Programme
Public guided tours take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays and at 4 p.m. on Thursdays (no registration required). Visitors are able to experience craftsmanship up close in workshops and presentations with a changing focus.
Architects from seven different countries are designing seven different bus stops in Krumbach: small buildings for the good of the public. However, this is only one aspect of a courageous project. The other is an unusual dialogue with Vorarlberg tradition, building culture and craftsmanship.
Krumbach is well-known for its scenic beauty and a lively pub culture. In recent years, the village has made a name of itself with its multi-awardwinning architecture. In cooperation with the Architekturzentrum Wien and the Vorarlberg Architektur Institut, seven architectural firms from Russia, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Japan, China and Chile were invited to design seven bus stops.
In close cooperation with local craftsmen and regional partner architects, seven bus stops were built in 2014 –as a tribute to the use of traditional materials, skilled manufacturing
techniques and the landscape. And to that which continues to characterise the region: the interplay of man and nature, of tradition and the modern age, of craftsmanship and building culture.
Bränden bus stop
Sou Fujimoto, Japan
Unterkrumbach Süd bus stop
Architecten de Vylder Vinck Taillieu, Belgium
Unterkrumbach Nord bus stop
Ensamble Studio, Spain
Zwing bus stop
Smiljan Radic, Chile
Oberkrumbach bus stop
Alexander Brodsky, Russia
Moos bus stop
RintalaEggertsson Architects, Norway
Glatzegg bus stop
Wang Shu, Ly Wenyu, China information www.krumbach.at
B 820/890
Bus stop Moos, Rintala Eggertsson Architects
The cultural calendar also has plenty to offer during the winter: Advent in Schwarzenberg is particularly atmospheric. Music and cabaret are staged.
kulturverein bahnhof, Andelsbuch
The converted train station, a structure that dates back to the AustroHungarian monarchy, now hosts more than 40 cultural events every year. The programme includes concerts and recitals, presentations and discussions, fairytale hours and exhibitions. The “kulturverein bahnhof” has been aiming to bring culture from across the world to the Bregenzerwald and to use the bahnhof to show what types of culture thrive there since 1999.
information www.bahnhof.cc
B 840/850 H geMein DeaMt
Andelsbuch – GaumenKino (cinema and meal) im Jöslar
Interested cineastes sit wherever they can find a place – a cinema seat, a chair or a bar stool – and indulge in best of cinematic fare presented by Hans Bach Lichtspiele. Three fine courses are served – and drinks anyway – to accompany the event.
Date: the first Sunday of every month
information www.jöslar.at | www.hansbach.at
B 840/850 H geMein DeaMt
Au-Schoppernau – Heimatbühne Schoppernau
Fun comedy performed in High German.
Dates: every Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Location: F.M. Feldersaal in Schoppernau
B 840/850 H geMein DeaMt
information & tickets
Tourist office Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2288
www.au-schoppernau.at or at the box office
Doren – Unser KleinWien
This cultural initiative is an attraction for young and old. The cultural programme is wide-ranging and brings people together. information www.unserkleinwien.at
B 820 H zentruM
Holdamoos nature experience in Au
Visit to the more than 440 year old Vorsäßhütte (alpine hut) in Holdamoos.
Date: 2 January until 10 April 2026, every Friday 2 – 4 p.m.
Meeting point: Holdamoos
nature experience, Vorsäßhütte (alpine hut) in Au-Rehmen
Price per person: free of charge
information
Tourist office Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2288
www.au-schoppernau.at
B 840/850 H lugen (Walk to Meeting point)
Egg – village culture
The “dorfkultur” association organises monthly events and provides a backdrop and stage for local artists.
information www.dorfkultur.at
Hittisau – reading salon in the Krone
The “Literatur am Samstagnachmittag” (“Literature on a Saturday afternoon’) series is a joint event organised by Ensemble 89 Hittisau and the Krone Hittisau. information & dates www.krone-hittisau.at B 820/860 H geMein DehauS
Sulzberg-Thal – ThalsaalKultur
The Thalsaal is considered one of the finest halls in the region. Built back in 1928 based on historical dance halls, it was reopened in 2007, following extensive restoration and modernisation measures.
information www.thalsaalkultur.at B 822 H Dorfplatz
Schwarzenberg Advent
The atmospheric “Schwarzenberg Advent” enriches the Advent period with cultural and culinary evenings. program (excerpt)
Schwarzenberg Advent Market 28 / 29 November, from 3 – 8 p.m. on both days, Kirchplatz Schwarzenberg Advent concert by the Wiener Streichersolisten (Vienna String Soloists)
30 November, 4.30 p.m., Angelika Kauffmann Hall
Music and Poetry: Oh Pannenbaum – Oh Tannenbaum (When Christmas Goes Wrong)
7 December, 6 p.m., Angelika Kauffmann Museum
Advent concert by Bradlberg Musig 12 December, 5 p.m. and 7.15 p.m., Angelika Kauffmann Museum
Concert on the Fourth Sunday of Advent by Trio Toccata 14 December, 5 p.m., Schwarzenberg Parish Church
information
www.schwarzenberg.at B 830/870 H Dorfplatz
Schwarzenberg – Wälderness: Hirschen’s fine music, culture and gourmet salon
A cult program at the Hirschen in Schwarzenberg: a series of events with concerts, readings and cabaret. A programme with culinary fantasies (Hirschen X Mochi), the Disco Night with Pia Fetz on the turntables and old friends and new discoveries on the small but grand Hirschen stage beckons during the dark winter months.
information www.hotel-hirschen-bregenzerwald.at B 830/870 H Dorfplatz
Warth – Kulturraum & STUBA Lädele (Culture Space and STUBA shop)
Local culture, old crafts, local products, handmade art and an exhibition about the village’s fascinating Olympic history.
Opening times: 5 December 2025 –12 April 2026, Sunday to Friday 2 –5 p.m. (extended opening hours in the event of bad weather).
information
www.warth-schroecken.com
B 852 H Dorfplatz
Insights into the history, lifestyle and creative activity are provided by lively museums and exhibitions.
Museum of Baroque Master Builders in Au
The Barockbaumeister Museum in the carefully renovated “Kurathus” (“Curate’s Residence”) directs attention to the founding history of the “Au Guild” and the work of the Baroque master builders (exhibition in German and English).
guided tours: Wednesday and Friday 4 p.m., Sunday 10.30 a.m. and on inquiry
information
www.barockbaumeister.at
B 840/850 H lugen (Walk to the MuSeuM)
Museum Bezau
Bezau Museum presents life in the Bregenzerwälderhaus while paying particular attention to customs and religious art as well as women’s traditional dress and artistic embroidery.
It also showcases modern-day craftsmanship in collaboration with the Werkraum Haus in Andelsbuch. The achievements of the baroque master builder families of Thumb and Beer are on display on the top floor.
guided tours: Wednesday and Friday 3 p.m., Sunday 10.30 a.m. and on inquiry
information
www.museum-bezau.at
B 830/840/850 H buSbahnhof (Walk to the MuSeuM)
Vorarlberger FIS Skimuseum Damüls
At the Kulisse Pfarrhof (Rectory Backdrop)
opening times
20 December 2025 – 3 April 2026
Tuesday and Friday 2 – 5 p.m., Groups upon request
information
www.skimuseum-damuels.at
B 851 H kirch Dorf
Museum Bezau
Women’s Museum in Hittisau
The only women’s museum in Austria holds changing exhibitions, which examine topics relevant to women from the fields of history, art, architecture, social history, ethnology, craftsmanship, etc. An interplay or a combination of a regional and an international perspective is ensured. To accompany the exhibitions, the Women’s Museum offers a busy supporting programme of individually designed special guided tours, talks, workshops, concerts, readings and film showings.
opening times
Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
guided tours
Monday 6 p.m., Thursday 9.30 a.m. and upon request
information www.frauenmuseum.at
B 820/860 H geMein DehauS
Franz Michael Felder Museum Schoppernau
Franz Michael Felder was a farmer, writer and social reformer and is an important historical figure from the Bregenzerwald. The exhibition is an exploration of his life, displaying original documents, quotations and pictures, and featuring audio points.
opening times
Monday 4 – 6 p.m., Thursday 9 – 11 a.m., Friday 5 – 7 p.m., Sunday 9.30 – 11.30 a.m. closed on public holidays information
Tourist office Schoppernau www.au-schoppernau.at B 840/850 H geMein DeaMt
KulturTour – Schoppernau
Equipped with a map, a rucksack and an app, visitors may see important turning points in the life of Franz Michael Felder.
The Angelika Kauffmann Museum in Schwarzenberg, which has been awarded the Austrian Museum Seal of Quality, is a typical Bregenzerwald structure that dates back the 16th century and that’s home to modern showrooms.
Kunstraum (Art Room)
This Bregenzerwälderhaus boasts a core that’s more than 450 years old and an exterior that doesn’t offer any clues to the fact that it’s home to a modern museum space in the former service wing. It was built in 2007 to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of the artist Angelika Kauffmann. Changing exhibitions that focus on different subjects with original works by the famous painter are shown from May to October.
The Heimatmuseum (local history museum)
The Heimatmuseum in the old wing offers comprehensive insights into 19th-century rural living and the culture of everyday life.
salon angelika
The Museum für Gegenwartskunst (Museum of Contemporary Art) opens its doors every spring to present works in the Kunstraum (Art Room) by young artists from the region.
opening times 28 February – 12 April 2026 Friday to Sunday 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
B 830/870 H Dorfplatz, Maien-freien information & guided tours Tourist office Schwarzenberg www.schwarzenberg.at www.angelika-kauffmann.com
B 830/870 H Dorfplatz, Maien-freien
Angelika Kauffmann Museum Schwarzenberg
Holiday Destination Austria –give feedback and win!
Share the most beautiful impressions of your last Bregenzerwald holiday with us and – with a bit of luck – win a very special holiday experience!
The prizes up for grabs are holiday vouchers for individual holiday experiences in Austria. It’s up to you what type of holiday you want to enjoy next in Austria. All the prizes and more details may be found at the beginning of the survey.
We wish you lots of luck!
Your team from Bregenzerwald Tourismus
See here for the survey:
dining out
The Bregenzerwald locals are masters in the art of cheese and cuisine. The Bregenzerwald KäseStrasse with its selection of enjoyable stations is dedicated to the subject of cheese. The chefs in the multi award-winning restaurants and inns skilfully master the art of cooking.
Where there’s a village, there’s an inn. That’s a rule that applies to many villages in the Bregenzerwald. There’s usually not just one inn but several along with restaurants that are often to be found in hotels as well as cafés. There are also places to stop off for refreshments at altitude. Some mountain restaurants are located close to the cable-car stops. More are located along hiking trails and ski slopes.
Hosts in the Bregenzerwald do their utmost to provide for the culinary well-being of their guests and do so with a pleasing variety of dishes. The options extend from innovative cuisine, vegetarian, vegan and such down-to-earth offerings as the typical Käsknöpfle (cheese dumplings).
The selection of international dishes ranges from pizza, pasta and burgers to Asian cuisine.
Beautifully designed
The different locations alone make culinary explorations worthwhile. Visitors may sit in a cosy Bregenzerwald lounge, surrounded by wood-panelled walls. Where the modern ambience in the style of
contemporary wooden architecture creates a pleasant atmosphere. Elsewhere, guests dine and drink in gardens, on terraces or at the top of a mountain with magnificent views.
Carefully selected
Where do the ingredients come from?
The menus and hosts at many restaurants and pubs provide additional information about where they get their ingredients from. Cooks who value regional products source their numerous delicacies from producers in the Bregenzerwald and the surrounding area.
The cheese specialities often come from Bregenzerwald valley and alpine dairies and range from mild cream cheese to tangy alpine cheese. Regional sources include, for example, “Der Jogi Fleisch-Delikatessen” in Bezau. Trout and char grow in natural ponds in Schwarzenberg while juices, jams, honey and spirits are produced at several gourmet locations. Hotel Post in Bezau and the Biohotel Schwanen in Bizau, among others, grow their own vegetables. They launched the “Solidarische Landwirtschaft Land.
Jagdgasthaus Egender in Schönenbach
Wird‘ community-farming project and jointly manage a 4,000-squaremetre vegetable, fruit and herb garden. The “Schulhus”, der Gasthof Adler and “Krumbacher Stuba” moorland innkeepers in Krumbach are experts in refining dishes and drinks with plants and herbs from the local moor.
Excellent dining
Which restaurants and inns in the Bregenzerwald have received awards from gourmet guides? Four guides exist in Austria for gourmets to consult. Five restaurants in the Bregenzerwald and consequently five host families and five kitchen teams under the management of imaginative chefs are delighted to have received awards from the Michelin Guide. Three restaurants received two awards: a Green
Star for culinary experiences at the highest level, combined with environmental awareness and the “Bib Gourmand”label: Biohotel Schwanen in Bizau, the “Ernele” Restaurant at Hotel Das Schiff in Hittisau and Krone Hittisau Hotel & Restaurant. A Green Star was also awarded to Hotel Hirschen Fine Hotel Restaurant & Spa in Schwarzenberg. Another “Bib Gourmand” went to Gasthof Adler in Schwarzenberg. The Michelin Guide highlights three businesses as “select restaurants’: Wälder Stube 1840 in Hittisau, Gasthof Adler and s’Schulhus in Krumbach.
The Gault & Millau Guide awards “toques” and has chosen several kitchens in the Bregenzerwald for the accolade. Some chefs have also been awarded stars from the Á la Carte Guide. The Falstaff Restaurant Guide, which rates cuisine and service with a maximum of 100 points, also provides good orientation. This guide does not rely on a jury of experts – the ratings are awarded by members of the Gourmet Club.
Kaiserschmarren (classic Austrian dessert)
Choosing the best
There’s a grocery shop in every village. Those spending their holidays in apartments may also treat themselves to breakfast in a hotel, café or mountain restaurant for a change. Some breakfast menus even include “Riebel’, a traditional Vorarlberg speciality prepared from Riebel maize semolina. Wolfgang Mätzler from Andelsbuch offers an award-winning lunch and evening-meal menu in jars under the name of ”fairkocht”. Ingredients used by the former awardwinning chef must meet high standards. They’re sourced from the Lake Constance region and are free from flavourings, preservatives, added sugar and gluten.
Buying regionally
Those who like to cook for themselves or wish to take culinary souvenirs home with them will be happy to look around the many gourmet specialists. For example, in alpine dairies (→ p. 102), fine distilleries, delicatessen shops and farm-gate shops on farms.
Diving into the world of brewing
The brewery tour provides visitors with an insight to what goes on behind the scenes during the production of beer and lemonade.
Meeting point: Brauerei Egg
Date: upon request
Duration: 1 hour (with tasting)
Price per person: upon request
information & registration
Brauerei Egg
T +43 (0)5512 2201
www.brauerei-egg.at B 820/830/840/850/890
H zentruM
The Käsehaus (Cheese House) in Andelsbuch is open seven days a week. Besides its large selection of cheeses, it also offers many other specialities from the Bregenzerwald and neighbouring regions. Homemade delicacies – from honey to fine spirits – as well as culinary delights from associated artisan producers are available at “Bentele Genuss” in Alberschwende. Cheese as well as whey-based drinks and care products are available from the Metzler family’s open farm in Egg (→ p. 99). The “Badhus” with café in Lingenau sells unpackaged goods. There’s even a coffee-roasting business: Andrea Trevisan has established the “Trevo Coffee Roastery” in Bezau. The expert won the Roasting Championship 2024 that’s organised by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
It’s possible to combine dining and shopping at the “Ernele”, a shop and gastro outlet that’s run by Romantik Hotel Das Schiff in Hittisau. Everything that’s available there is sourced from within a radius of no more than 100 kilometres.
Tuning in acoustically
Culinary topics also crop up in some of the Bregenzerwald’s podcast episodes. In “Schön – schöner – Schönenbach” (“Beautiful, more beautiful, Schönenbach”), a farmer and dairy worker talks about alpine life in Schönenbach. Three herbal experts take us on a trip through nature in the “Tausendsassa – Heimische Kräuter in Küche, Bar und Hausapotheke” episode, which is all about local herbs in the kitchen, bar and medicine cabinet. While in the “Am Nerv der Zeit: Der Gemeinschaftsgarten Reuthe-Bezau” gardening enthusiasts talk about an unusual project in Reuthe-Bezau.
Metzler dairy farm Egg
The project naturhautnah has created a place for energy-efficient and sustainable farming. Visitors can grasp, literally and figuratively, life on the farm and everything that it involves or creates; an experience that inspires an appetite for nature. From the imposing cow pens and the turbulent goat romping house with its visitor gallery, to the small animal cuddling zone, the herb garden, the high-tech cooling and heating
Au-Schoppernau – Bergbrennerei
Löwen (Mountain Distillery)
Interesting facts about the secrets of the art of distilling and the history of the business are shared here with guests.
Date: every Wednesday and Thursday at 2 and 4 p.m.
Price per person: free of charge
information
Tourist office Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2288 www.au-schoppernau.at
B 840/850 H lugen (Walk to Meeting point)
system, through to the cheese production, on to whey-based cosmetic processing and the farm shop with its choice range on offer: there is nothing to hide.
Farm visit
for individual visitor and groups
Whey-based cosmetic products
Cosmetics, refreshing drinks, bath additives
Milk the goats and cows with brunch/cheese buffet and whey drinks
Cheese specialities, Alpine dairy school
Making cheese
information & booking for all programmes
Metzler Käse – Molke GmbH
T +43 (0)5512 3044
www.molkeprodukte.at
Metzler farm shop
How come a valley community in which, a century ago, Sunday dinner comprised a sort of wheat flour mash (with maize grits the rest of the week) is now a gourmet region with specialities whose origins are protected and where refined gastronomy is at home in many restaurants?
The Bregenzerwald is an Austrian gourmet region. These days, the word “gourmet” is used all too frequently in advertising: however, the expression “gourmet region” has a specific meaning: it is a registered brand by the Austrian Ministry for Food and the AMA (Agrarmarkt Austria), wishing to remind consumers of regional specialities. The basic prerequisites are that the ingredients come from the region, that production is regional, and that the products are firmly rooted in regional gastronomy.
In the Bregenzerwald, this means alpine cheese. Every year, approximately 5,000 tons of alpine cheese are produced in the valley’s 15 dairies. Every year, 200 tons of alpine cheese are handmade by the 82
dairy alps every summer. The special thing about this cheese is the silo-free milk it is produced from, since only 3% of EU dairy farmers produce in this way, i.e. their cows never eat silo fodder – instead, between May and October, they only eat grass and herbs. During the winter, they only eat the air-dried hay from valley meadows. In the socalled three-stage farming method, following their winter in the barn, the animals graze on the mountain pastures located at medium height (around 900 m) during the spring and the autumn, and on the high mountain pasture during the summer. The cows in the Vorsäße, which are alpine pastures, are driven out together, because the farmers typically keep only a few cows themselves.
The three-stage farming method (which was included in the national UNESCO list of immaterial cultural assets in spring 2011) in particular gives the alpine cheese the special flavour which means it can easily contend with the well-known European full-fat cheeses. It has
Cheese maturing warehouse
been like this for a long time: back at the start of the 19th century, the inhabitants of the Bregenzerwald sold over 30.000 kg of cheese to the monarchy and abroad. In 1877, Karl von Seyffertitz wrote: “Everywhere –including in the cheerful Vorderwald, in Hittisau and Lingenau, you will meet a unique people in strange national dress in wood-panelled parlours with floors scrubbed white, with shiny door handles – the men busy looking after a dairy breed of cow and overseeing the production of a popular, world-famous fine cheese, the women busy with elaborate whitework embroidery.” However, it wasn’t the producers back then who made all the money – it was the sellers. The Schnepfau local Josef Ambros Moosbrugger, for example, made so much profit from selling cheese that he could afford a city palace in Milan. No doubt he dined differently to the people back home, where cooking over an open fire resulted above all in simple panfried dishes such as the “Riebel” and the “Schwozermuas”. Up on the alp, flour, salt, butter, quark and cheese were the main ingredients. The recipe for “Schwozermus” – named for the woodcutters from Schwaz – was: “Water, flour, salt, dripping – and that’s it!” The lack of bread on the alp gave rise to the “Käsknöpfle”, to “Sig”, known only in the Bregenzerwald and which is caramelised lactose, since they wanted to make a further product from the whey. The passage of this modest alp fare to the current first-class restaurants in the Bregenzerwald – which now use over 60 regional types of cheese – went through a series of changes which demanded quality rather than quantity. These include
the 1997 EU Protection of Origin of alpine and mountain cheeses, the establishment of the “KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald” in 1998 as a network of farmers, alpine dairies, craftsmen, publicans and businesses. The toughest taste test is still the most regional however: every year, alpine and mountain cheese is judged in Schwarzenberg. The winner at this event is enough to satisfy any gourmet’s taste buds.
Käsestrasse & tasting
The KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald is an association of farmers and alps, alpine dairy farmers and cheesemakers, cheesemongers and restaurants, museums and cable car operators, members of the tourism industry and partners from the worlds of trade and commerce. The over 160 partners which make up the KäseStrasse network are joined together in the objective of maintaining and preserving taste and regional culture. Programme: „World of enjoyment in the Bregenzerwald Cheese Cellar in Lingenau“
View through the glass wall into the cheese cellar where around 50,800 wheels of alpine and mountain cheese are maturing, information pertaining to cheese culture in the Bregenzerwald, the maturing and storage of alpine cheese, showing of the KäseStrasse film, tasting of the diverse types of cheese and other specialities information & registration
KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald T +43 (0)5513 42870-41
www.kaesestrasse.at B 860 H grüner bauM
Sennerei Andelsbuch
Hof 366, 6866 Andelsbuch
T +43 (0)5512 2507
www.sennerei-andelsbuch.at
Mon – Sat: 8 – 11.30 a.m.
Fri: 8 – 11.30 a.m. and 2 – 6 p.m.
Cheese vending machine – 24 hours
B 840/850 H geMein DeaMt
Käsehaus Andelsbuch
The Bregenzerwälder Käsehaus (cheese house) in Andelsbuch sells up to 60 different types of hard, cut, fresh and soft cheeses made from cow’s, goat’s and ewe’s milk.
On inquiry: demonstration dairy
Hof 144, 6866 Andelsbuch
T +43 (0)5512 26346
www.kaesehaus.com
Mon – Sat: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sundays and bank holidays:
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
B 840/850 H geMein DeaMt
Reifelager „Gut gereift!“
Moos 383, 6866 Andelsbuch
www.gutgereift.at
Tastings on inquiry
B 840/850 H geMein DeaMt (Walk)
Alpenkäse Bregenzerwald, Au
Argenau 354, 6883 Au
T +43 (0)5515 2310
www.alpenkaese.at
Mon – Sat: 8 – 12 p.m.
Mon, Wed, Fri: 2 – 6 p.m.
B 850 H geMein DeaMt
Alpenkäse Bregenzerwald, Bezau
Ach 586, 6870 Bezau
T +43 (0)5514 30020
www.alpenkaese.at
Mon – Fri: 8 – 12 p.m. and 2 – 6 p.m.
Sat: 8 – 12 p.m.
B 831/832/833/840/850
H cafe natter/Wilbinger (Walk)
Sennhaus Bezau Oberdorf
Mittlere 119, 6870 Bezau
M +43 (0)664 1982000
www.sennhaus-bezau.at
December – May: Mon – Sat: 8 – 12 p.m. and 6.15 – 7 p.m., Fri: 4 – 7 p.m.
The dairy’s products are available to purchase at the local SPAR supermarket.
B 890/891 H Dorf
Dorfsennerei Sibratsgfäll
Dorf 132, 6952 Sibratsgfäll
T +43 (0)5513 2442
www.sennerei-sibra.at
Mon, Wed, Fri: 7.30 – 11.30 a.m. and 5 – 7 p.m.
Tue and Sat: 7.30 – 11.30 a.m.
Cheese vending machine – 24 hours
B 860 H Dorfplatz
Weichkäserei Schnepfau
T +43 (0)5514 30020
www.alpenkaese.at
Cheese vending machine – 24 hours
B 840/850 H geMein DeaMt
Bergkäserei Schoppernau
Unterdorf 248, 6886 Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 30151
www.bergkaeserei.at
Mon – Fri: 8.30 – 11.30 a.m., 3 – 6 p.m.
Sat: 8.30 – 11.30 a.m., 3 – 5 p.m.
Low season: open in the mornings
B 840/850 H geMein DeaMt
Das Käsehaus der Sulzberger Käserebellen
Dorf 8, 6934 Sulzberg
T +43 (0)5516 21351
www.kaesehaus-rebellen.com
Mon – Sat: 9 – 12 p.m. and 1 – 6 p.m.
Sundays and bank holidays: 1 – 6 p.m.
B 823/824 H Dorfplatz
Altes Sennhaus Warth
Hausnummer 2, 6767 Warth
M +43 (0)676 5088401
www.kaesereisojer.at/altes-sennhaus
Opening hours: see website
B 852 H Dorfplatz
Au-Schoppernau – cheese dairy tour
From milk to cheese.
Date: 22 December 2025 – 9 April 2026, every Monday and Thursday at 5 p.m.
Meeting point: Bergkäserei
Schoppernau
Price per person: free of charge information & registration until 12 p.m.
Tourist office Au-Schoppernau
T +43 (0)5515 2288
www.au-schoppernau.at
B 840/850 H geMein DeaMt
Step by step from dish to dish
Hiking through impressive winter landscapes and enjoying a mountain breakfast, lunch and dessert at a variety of mountain inns and restaurants en route.
services included
• Description of the hiking route
• Vouchers for the meals
• Tickets for the bus (if necessary)
• Digital discovery space
price per person
€ 55 – € 78 (depending on the hike)
information & vouchers
Bregenzerwald Tourismus and selected tourist offices
B all Starting pointS are eaSy to get to by buS, Which iS alSo enVironMentally frien Dly.
Information about the culinary walks tip: culinary hikes at www.bregenzerwald.at
Sibratsgfäll-Schönenbach
Across the gorge to the alpine settlement
27 December 2025 to 8 March 2026 daily except Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Walking time: around 4 ½ hours
Total duration: around 7 ½ hours
The hike leads to “behind the seven mountains’. Breakfast and dessert treats in the quiet village of Sibratsgfäll. The route heads uphill for lunch and through a ravine to the beautifully situated alpine pasture settlement of Schönenbach.
Breakfast: Hotel Hirschen
• Regional breakfast with “Stopfer” (a sweet dish), coffee, tea, orange juice and a glass of Prosecco
Lunch: Jagdgasthaus Egender
• Käsknöpfle (cheese dumplings) with salad or
• Wiener schnitzel with French fries
Sweet ending: Hotel Hirschen
• Home-made Buchteln (kind of yeast pastry) with vanilla sauce and coffee or
• Home-made apple strudel with ice-cream and whipped cream and coffee
Culinary hiking
Mellau-Bizau-Bezau
Along the stream from village to village 11 December 2025 to 31 March 2026 daily except Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Walking time: around 3 hours
Total duration: around 6 hours
Three pretty villages with beautiful old and new timber architecture await along the route. Starting with breakfast in Mellau, the hike crosses the Herburg to lunch in Bizau and then continues along the stream to dessert in Bezau.
Breakfast: Café Deli – Hotel Bären
• Breakfast buffet with regional specialities
Lunch: Biohotel Schwanen
• Seasonal main course
Meat / fish / vegetarian
Sweet ending: Hotel Gretina
• Home-made cake or pie and coffee
Sulzberg
On the high plateau that presents magnificent views 21 December 2025 to 31 March 2026 daily except Monday and Tuesday
Walking time: around 3 hours
Total duration: around 6 hours
The view along the high trail stretches across the Bregenzerwald and the neighbouring Allgäu. Breakfast and dessert are served to hikers at the beautifully situated wellness hotel while lunch is served at the village centre.
Breakfast: Wellnesshotel Linde
• Breakfast buffet with regional specialities
Lunch: Gasthof Ochsen
• Wiener schnitzel with French fries
• Käsknöpfle (cheese dumplings) with salad
Sweet ending: Wellnesshotel Linde
• Home-made cake or pie and coffee
Sweet ending: “Buchteln”
bregenze rw ald
po dc as t
Wald und Welt
The Bregenzerwald podcast: An acoustic trip through the Bregenzerwald.
Available to listen at bregenzerwald.at/podcast and wherever podcasts are available.
wellness & health
Who doesn’t occasionally long for a retreat, for a leisurely pace, for stimuli which pamper the body and soul? The Bregenzerwald is such a retreat.
Recharging your batteries and giving yourself a treat: the health and wellness hotels in the Bregenzerwald create the right atmosphere for holidays that help you feel good. With subtle architecture, well thought-out offers and attentive hospitality.
Those wanting to give their bodies, minds and souls a treat while they’re on holiday will find what they’re looking for in the Bregenzerwald. Well-being is ensured by medically sound programmes, classic wellness offers, finely adapted menus and the appropriate ambience. Most health and wellness hotels are distinguished by their architecture and highquality furnishings. Many bathing and sauna worlds have been newly built or modernised in the style of contemporary Vorarlberg (timber) architecture in recent years. Nice and bright, with views into natural landscapes, built with such natural materials as wood and stone.
Spas and therapies
The programmes that are available at the health hotels range from supervised fasting and detoxification weeks
to packings and baths with, for example, freshly cut moor. The most traditional is Gesundhotel Bad Reuthe, which also offers medical and physiotherapeutic care.
Relaxation and refreshment
The wellness hotels offer a wide range of activities – from fitness programmes and yoga retreats to massages and cosmetic treatments. Hotel Post by Susanne Kaufmann even gives visitors the option to treat themselves to the hotelier’s own line of high-quality natural cosmetics. Several other wellness hotels also use the Bregenzerwald’s own care products – for instance, the whey-care line by the Metzler family from Egg or the Werbina honey-care line by Bentele Genuss.
Well-being days: swimming and sweating
Several health and wellness hotels open their swimming and sauna areas to visitors who just want to spend the day or a few hours there. (→ p. 109) Important: prior registration requested.
Wellness with a view of nature
Hotel Adler Au****
Family-friendly hotel, 700 m2 of wellness area with infinity pool, panoramic saunas, Special massage and cosmetic offers.
Au, T +43 (0)5515 2264 www.adler-au.at
DAY SPA: one day admission to the SPAradies (11 a.m. – 7.30 p.m.), incl. wellness bag with bathrobe, bathing shoes, towel and a sweet afternoon snack.
Price per person: € 60
B 850 H geMeinDeaMt
Retreat Hotel Post Bezau
A place of holistic well-being where guests are able to optimise their health and restore their inner balance.
Bezau, T +43 (0)5514 22070 www.hotelpostbezau.com www.postbezaujuice.com
Day spa programmes
Specially coordinated treatments in the Susanne KaufmannTM SPA, including all-day use of the entire wellness area.
Price per person: from € 188 B 830/ 831/832/833/840/850 H buSbahnhof
Relaxing and recharging the batteries
Panoramahotel Alpenstern****S
Family-run hotel, water world with infinity and indoor pool, sauna world, massage and beauty treatments.
Damüls, T +43 (0)5510 513 www.hotel-alpenstern.at
DAY SPA: use of the wellness area with sauna world, relaxation room, indoor and outdoor pool, wellness bag with sauna towels, snacks and drinks at the vitamin bar.
Price per person: € 65 B 851 H oberDaMülS
Landhotel Hirschen***
Nature experience days, intuitive painting, days of spiritual magic, gong self-awareness seminars, metabolic cure, base and therapeutic fasting according to Dr Buchinger, Sound therapy, herbal tea hour, own herb garden.
Hittisau, T +43 (0)5513 2320 www.landhotel-hirschen.at
Wellness day: 1 therapeutic session on the Bemer therapy mat, 1 sound therapy on the sound lounge, 1 colour light therapy, use of the sauna, steam bath and wellness oasis.
Price per person: € 230 B 820/860 H geMeinDehauS
Sonne Mellau – Feel good Hotel ****S
Modern and cosy double and single rooms, superior rooms and suites, 2,000-square-metre wellness area
Mellau, T +43 (0)5518 20100-0 www.sonnemellau.com
Day spa offers: for non-residential guests from 18 years of age from Mondays to Thursdays or on inquiry. Bookings accepted for treatments from the spa program.
The perfect feel-good day: 8.30 a.m. – 6 p.m., breakfast buffet, late lunch, bathrobe and bath towels, € 50 wellness voucher that may be redeemed for booked spa treatments, wellness bar.
DAY SPA: one day-ticket to the bathing world, sauna-wellness world, lunch snack bathing bag (towels, bathrobe and bathing sandals).
Price per person: € 67
B 833/840/850 H zentruM (Walk)
B 832 H bergbahnen
Prior reservation is required for all DAY-SPA offers..
Sophisticated wellness architecture
Gesundhotel Bad Reuthe****S
Treatments for health and well-being, spa bathhouse with sauna and wellness world, indoor pools and yearround heated garden pool
Reuthe, T +43 (0)5514 2265-0
www.badreuthe.at
Thermal bath and sauna wellness world
Bathhouse: open daily 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sauna Wellness World: open daily
11 a.m. – 9.30 p.m.
Prior reservation by telephone requested.
Relax day
1 pomegranate bath in the soft-pack lounger, 1 back massage, 1 facial peeling and mask, including daily admission to thermal bath and sauna wellness world, fitness room.
Price per person: from € 199 B 833 H MoorbaD
Hirschen Wohlfühlhotel****S
Informal establishment, adventure swimming pool with panoramic view of the countryside.
Schoppernau, T +43 (0)5515 21150 www.hirschen.at
Breakfast & Wellness
8 a.m. – 5 p.m., feel-good breakfast (8 a.m. – 10.30 a.m.), feel-good bag with bathrobe, bathing shoes and towel, admission to the wellness area, including outdoor whirlpool and panorama adventure pool, € 10 voucher for SPA treatments, voucher for an alcohol-free cocktail
Price per person: € 75 B 852 H oberDorf
Wellnesshotel Linde****
Wellness and golf hotel with Sunset Spa, panoramic wellness pool and Outdoor garden whirlpool
Sulzberg, T +43 (0)5516 2025 www.wellnesshotellinde.at
“Pure relaxation” wellness day 1 hay-flower pack, 1 back massage, day ticket to the Sunset spa with wellness pool, sauna complex, fitness room.
Price per person: from € 125 B 823 H Schönenbühl
Hotel Wartherhof****S
Wellness hotel with an exclusive spa offering, sports & activity program, massages, baths & wraps, and beauty treatments.
Warth, T+43 (0)5583 3504 www.wartherhof.at
DAY SPA: 1-day admission to the wellness area (11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.) including water world, sauna aerea, fitness room, bathrobe and slippers, and lunch buffet.
Price per person: € 95 B 852 H SteffiSalpe
Special health and wellness addresses, stories and inspiring ideas tip: wellness at www.bregenzerwald.at
Yoga promotes flexibility, enhances attentiveness, develops an activating and relaxing effect. Several options exist for visitors wishing to take yoga classes during their stay in the Bregenzerwald.
Yoga is the perfect complement for people who enjoy exercise, such as hiking, climbing and skiing. The poses keep muscles, tendons and joints supple and strengthen them at the same time. Yoga practitioners learn to breathe with awareness and to direct their attention to the here and now. A feeling of both relaxation and restoration sets in after time spent practising yoga.
In hotels and studios
The options for yoga fans have grown steadily in the Bregenzerwald over recent years. Some of the wellness hotels offer yoga classes throughout the year, also for guests not staying at those specific hotels. Experienced yoga instructors at several locations are happy to welcome beginners and experienced practitioners to their classes and individual lessons. Styles taught range from classical yoga to hot yoga, hormone yoga for women and yoga for children.
On the mat
It’s best to contact the respective instructors in the event of any questions or special requests. It’s also advisable to secure your place on the mat in advance as the courses are taught in small groups
Yoga at Hotel Bären in Mellau
Whey body care products and soft drinks
Ingo Metzler produces fine personal hygiene products and powder to be made into drinks from whey. These products are also available online. www.molkeprodukte.com
Susanne Kaufmann Spa Cosmetics
A clear look and essences from Bregenzerwald nature determine the products. They are available at Hotel Post and at the onlineshop. www.susannekaufmann.com
Honey skin care products
In addition to the varied “honeyed” specialities, fine schnapps and chocolate, the Bentele Brothers in Alberschwende offer body care products made from honey.
Available in the shop in Alberschwende and from the online shop. www.gsiberger.at
Natural body care products Phystine
Harmonizing body care products. They are available at partner shops and in the online shop. www.phystine.com
Soap boiling
Selected vegetable fats and oils, caustic soda and Schoppernau spring water serve as the basis. Flowers and herbs from her own garden and the surrounding mountain pastures are additives which give the hand-made natural soap their colour, texture and other properties (minimum age 14).
Place: Au-Schoppernau
Meeting point: Karin Beer, Schoppernau, Halde 395 B 840/850 H DieDaMSkopfbahn
Date: 13 January to 31 March 2026, every Tuesday at 7.30 p.m., more dates on inquiry
Duration: approx. 2 ½ hours
Price per person: € 58 including 0.5 kg of soap and manuscript with recipes information & registration until 6 p.m. the day before Karin Beer M +43 (0)664 4155330 karin@mittenimgruenen.at
Whey body care products
travel guide
The Reisemagazin Bregenzerwald (travel magazine) contains stories and reports about the people and their culture in this region. The writers, some of whom work from Vorarlberg while others work internationally from further afield, offer insights into what life in the Bregenzerwald is all about and what is both pleasurable and enjoyable. Available from Bregenzerwald Tourismus and other tourist offices in the Bregenzerwald. Read online at www.bregenzerwald.at/en
Over the slopes at seventy
The large ski areas in the Bregenzerwald present the appropriate slopes for all tastes and sporting skills. A group of locals are also enthusiastic about that and, because they’ve put work behind them, they’re able to set off very early during the week before most people get started – freedom on the mountain!
In the light of lanterns through the winter night
An atmospheric experience in the winter sports resort of Damüls: the local mountain rescue service offers guests the opportunity to experience intense lantern-lit moments once a week as they walk through the snow and marvel at the stars on a guided hike.
reisemagazin
A skiing legend
Lothar Fetz from Schwarzenberg taught guests how to ski, learned their language and made friends with many of them. He developed a “magic pole” for a guest who couldn‘t quite grasp how to perform a snow-plough. Children in Schwarzenberg still learn to ski using that method today.
The new museum about the local history
An old local history museum in Bezau has been converted into a meeting place. The original residential section has been preserved, the Tenn (large hall) showcases the Golden Era of the Bregenzerwald’s master builders of the Baroque period and women who used needle and thread to make a living for their families.
High-tech in clogs
The Devich company has been making wooden clogs, so-called “Hölzler” in the local dialect, for more than a century. The family business employs modern technology to ensure long-lasting use into the future. The latest generation has shifted its focus to scaling and robot control in production.
Cows, children, cheese cellar
Three generations of the Meusburger-Flatz family in Bizau work in agriculture. They run the Biohof Hilkater, which is an organically run farm. They combine farming tradition with organic farming. They’ve chosen “Innovation with Responsibility” as their motto for their work.
