wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech
Austria

Hiking in Lech am Arlberg – the best hiking trails

You may know Lech from our Royal family who goes skiing here every year. It is a place that carries the image “where the elite come” and for good reason, it is one of the best winter sports areas in Austria. However, Lech is also a beautiful area in the summer, but still relatively unknown. That makes it very special go hiking in Lech! S few year back I was in Vorarlberg and took several hikes here that do-able for everyone who a basic condition. Here are my tips for summer hiking in Lech and nearby Zürs:
 

Spullersee and Ravensburger Hütte

The most popular hike in Lech is the one that starts at the Spullersee. This lake is located at an altitude of 1,826 meters and can only be reached by bus, which takes you along a narrow winding road into a remote valley. Here lies at the very end where you can go no further the Spullersee: an emerald green mountain lake where you can do some beautiful hiking.
 
Although there are several hiking trails near the Spullersee, the most beautiful hike you can make is along the lake to the Ravensburger Hütte. From here you can go back to Zug or Lech by a simple descent. Along the way you should stop for a bit of Kaiserschmarrn at the hut, but of course you can also order other typical Austrian delicacies. From the hut you’ll climb to the Stierlochjoch at 2,009 meters and finally you start the descent back to Zug. This is nowhere difficult and takes you from the mountain meadows through a lush forest to a beautiful waterfall. From here you reach the golf course and the village of Zug. Ultimately it is a fairly flat walk back from here along the river to Lech.
 
Duration of the hike: approx. 4 hours
Distance: 12.5 km
Starting point: Spullersee
End point: Zug or Lech
Difficulty: easy
 
wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech

wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech

wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech

wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech

wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech zurs
 

The Green Ring

The Green Ring is a relatively new hike near Lech. The idea is based on De White Ring, a 22-kilometer ski route where you make more than 5,500 meters in about three hours. Because this White Ring is extremely popular in winter, a Green Ring has been developed for the summer period. I hiked route 1 from Rüfikopf to Zürs. The Rüfikopf is located at an altitude of 2,362 meters and is one of the most famous mountains in Lech. You take the cable car up from the valley station in the center of Lech and once at the top follow the hiking path towards Zürs. Note: you do not come across the name Green Ring, I was confused for a while. Bring a hiking map and description and you’ll be fine!
 
It soon becomes clear why this hike is called the Green Ring, because you walk above the tree line in a particularly green environment. Also for this hike, it doesn’t get really difficult anywhere, only I had to search now and then because the markers were missing here and there. The most beautiful part of the hike is the part between the Rüfikopf and the Monzabonalpe, from here it is really only down the gravel road (and a piece of asphalt). From Zürs you can take the bus back to Lech or you can walk onwards.
 
Duration of the hike: approx. 2.5 hours
Distance: 7 km
Starting point: Rüfikopf
End point: Zürs
Difficulty: medium
 
wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech

wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech

wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech

wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech

wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech
 

Hike from Zürs to Lech

If you want to extend the first stage of the The Green Ring or just take a nice trip from Zürs to Lech, choose the hiking trail from Zürs to Lech. You just follow the signs and in the end you can choose various roads back to Lech, I myself walked through Omesberg because my hotel was here. You then walk along the river, then through a forest and almost only descend. Please note: Zürs is completely closed in the summer, so food and drinks are only available in Lech.
 
Duration of the hike: approx. 2 hours
Distance: 6 km
Starting point: Zürs
End point: Lech
Difficulty: easy
 
wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech

wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech

wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech
 

Oberlech – Lech

A nice short walk that everyone can do is the one from Oberlech to Lech, a trip of less than an hour. I took the Oberlech cable car to the part of Lech higher up the mountain. From here I wanted to continue to Petersboden, but unfortunately the weather was very bad. I decided to go to Oberlech and walk down from here. On the way I had a beautiful view of the village and the famous Omesberg.
 
Duration of the hike: approx. 1 hour
Distance: 4 km
Starting point: Oberlech mountain station
End point: Lech center
Difficulty: easy
 
wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech

wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech
 

Hiking in Lech: transportation tips

All mentioned walks at Lech and Zürs are one way. To get to the starting point or back from the ending point, I recommend using the Lech-Card . This card costs 23 euros (2020) for 3 days and can be purchased with a minimum stay of three consecutive nights in the village. You can use this card unlimited with the cable cars (including those to Rüfikopf and Oberlech) and with the bus that connects all the villages mentioned. You also have access to the swimming pool in Lech, you can participate in various theme walks and you get free entrance to various museums.
 
These were the most beautiful hikes in Lech and Zürs. Of course I have not done all of them and have also received other tips from readers, including the tour at the Körbersee and the Lechweg. Unfortunately I was only in the area for a day and a half in and so I had no time to do further hiking. I advise you to get the free hiking guide ‘Worlds of Hiking’ from the tourist office, where all the above routes plus much more are described in detail. I no longer needed an official hiking map because of this, at least not for the hikes in Lech I mentioned in this article!
 
wandelen in lech zurs hiking in lech
 

Is Lech expensive?

Lech is of course known for being an expensive winter sports resort. Nevertheless, summer tourism is still quiet in this region and there are considerably fewer tourists in the summer months than in winter. Many hotels are closed in the summer, the village of Zürs is even completely closed during the summer months.
 
During my stay in Lech I stayed in the charming Hotel Omesberg. For other things, the prices in Lech are not too bad, for a coffee with apple strudel on in a local bar I paid € 7.50, slightly more expensive than usual. In addition to hotels, there are several apartments that you can rent, so you can cook for yourself and keep the costs for meals low. View the wide range of accommodations in Lech here.
 
So is hiking in Lech worth spending your summer vacation? I’d say yes! It is considerably quieter than in winter and I also found the hiking trails a lot quieter than in other Austrian regions that I have visited in recent years. In addition, there are a lot of hiking opportunities, so you as an outdoor enthusiast will certainly not get bored here. Finally, you can also make trips from Lech to Bregenz for example.
 

Conclusion and disclaimer

Here I’ll end my blog about hiking in Lech and around. I hope that I have provided you with a good dose of inspiration and that you ever travel to Lech in the summer, it is more than worth it! Also make sure to check my post with the best hikes in Austria and hiking tips for the Austrian Alps.
 
I made this trip at the invitation of Visit Vorarlberg. All opinions given are, of course, only my own. This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase or make a reservation through such a link, I may receive a modest commission for you at no extra cost.