This Austria road trip itinerary continues west to Brandnertal, a valley in the Austrian State of Vorarlberg. Brandnertal is the gateway to the Rätikon, a limestone mountain range that straddles the border between Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Drive to Brandnertal
Today, you’ll drive past Innsbruck. You can stop, but we recommend saving Innsbruck for day 14 of your Austria itinerary. We suggest stopping in the town of St Anton am Arlberg for lunch on your way to Brandnertal.
Driving Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Total Kilometers: 210 km
On Day 12, check into your hotel (hopefully Schillerkopf Alpine Resort) and relax. On Day 13, drive deeper into Brand Valley to the Lünerseebahn, an aerial cableway to Lünersee lake.
Take the Lünerseebahn to Lünersee Lake
- Roundtrip Prices (as of Summer 2021): 18.10 EUR for Adults; 17.20 EUR for Seniors; 10.90 EUR for Children.
- Operating hours: ascent: every 15 min between 8:00 am and 16:55 pm; descent: every 15 min between 8:10 am and 17:00 pm
Lünersee Walks and Hikes
Once you ascend to the lake, you have several options.
- You can walk the easy circuit trail that wraps around the entire lake – 2 hours, 6.1 km (easy)
- You can hike the circuit trail and then ascend to Gafalljoch ridge (2239 m) – 3 hours, 8.7 km (moderate).
- Or, if you’re looking for a challenge, you can hike to Schesaplana (2964 m) – 7 hours, 11.2 km – the highest peak in the Rätikon Alps (difficult).
Where to Eat around Lünersee
There’s a mountain hut located at the Lünerseebahn top station called Douglashütte. The food is excellent and the service is swift. On the other side of the lake, there’ a small alm hut called Lünersee Alpe. Their menu is very limited, so if you’re hungry, definitely eat at Douglashütte. And, then grab a mid-walk beer, or beverage at the alm.
Learn More: Lünersee Hiking Guide
Stay 2 Nights in Brandnertal
We suggest basing yourself in the town of Brand in Brandnertal, or on the high alpine plateau Tschengla, which overlooks Brandnertal
Budget | Hotel Lün is a top-rated modern alpine hotel in Brand. With its central location, fresh design, and spa area, you’ll feel quite at home here. Breakfast is included in the room rate.
Mid-Range | Pension Bergkristall is an apartment-style accommodation in Brand. Its location offers easy access to the Dorfbahn Cable Car Station, bathing lake Alvierbad, and Lünersee. If you’re planning to base yourself in Brandntertal for a few days, you’ll feel very comfortable here. Pension Bergkristall also has several double rooms (breakfast included) available as well.
Luxury | The 4-star Schillerkopf Alpine Resort is an exceptional place to stay when you’re ready to take a vacation from your vacation. Positioned on the Tschengla Plateau, high above Brandertal, you’ll be treated to mountain and valley views whether you’re in your bedroom, in the dining room, or in the garden.
Staying in Schillerkopf is also a culinary experience. Each day, guests are pampered with a 4 chapter Gaumenpoesie (“poetry of the palate”) package. In a nutshell that means that your stay includes a bountiful breakfast (7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.), followed by a lunch buffet (12:00 p.m.), followed by a late afternoon dessert buffet (3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.), followed by a 6-course dinner accompanied by live music. So, basically, you don’t want to leave.
The 4 chapter concept pays homage to the literary genius Friedrich Schiller. Like reading a novel, you progress through the day, one culinary chapter at a time.
Book your Stay at Schillerkopf Alpine Resort.
Look for accommodation in Brandnertal.