Alpine Hiking Vorarlberg Austria
Walk through Schruns, Bielerhohe and Gargellen
A guide for hiking through the quaint and little-known area of the Vorarlberg region.
The western most state in Austria is named Vorarlberg. It borders Switzerland and Germany so it's more of an insider destination. The numerous hiking trails and well-serviced mountain huts around this area make it very easy to plan overnight trips or just day hikes.
The town of Schruns is a good place to start from. Circular routes through many high mountains with snowy peaks and glaciers are abundant. Walkable routes include the glaciers near Bielerhohe, and the ski-towns of Galtuer and Gargellen. Some of the huts in the area are the Wormser, Neuheilbronner, Freidrichschaffener, Weisbadener, Saarbrueckener, Tuebinger, Lindauer, and Heinrichhuetter.
Hiking Vorarlberg is a nice way to see many charms of the Alps without so much of the tourist crowds.
Visitor Information:
Getting there and around
Zurich is the closest city serviced by an international airport. From there the efficient train system will take you to the Vorarlberg alpine towns in around two hours.
Where to stay
Schruns: Haus Salzgeber-Mugg: a lovely small hotel run by friendly and helpful English speaking Frau Helga Salzgeber-Mugg. Around 30 Euros per person/night, breakfast included. Ausserlitzstrasse 16, tel 011-43-5556-72851,
Hotel Taube, Ernest Hemingway stayed here while he edited his novel "The Sun Also Rises." Silvrettastrasse 1, tel 011-43-5556-72384.
On the hiking trails you stay in various mountain huts.
Gargellen: Haus Wulfenia, delicious and fresh homemade dinner was the best we had the whole trip.
Practical information:
The Austrian hiking association (Oesterreichischer Alpenverein) offers year-long memberships (Mitglieder), which offer discount hut fees and insurance.
For more info on this hike click here
