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
Driving Time: 50 Minutes
Total Kilometers: 50.2 km
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).
Learn More: Lünersee Hiking Guide
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 alpine pasture 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.
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, offering double rooms as well as apartments with fully equipped kitchenettes and dining areas. Highlights of staying here are the spa area, the breakfast buffet, the fresh and cheerful design.
Midrange | Pension Bergkristall is an apartment-style accommodation in Brand, next to the Dorfbahn Cable Car Station. If you’re planning to base yourself in Brandnertal for a few days, or even a week, you’ll feel very comfortable here. Breakfast is available upon request.
Luxury | Aktiv-Hotel Sarotla is a stylish and modern hotel with excellent spa facilities, spacious rooms with balconies, and a fabulous hotel restaurant and bar. Guests can participate in guided hiking and cycling tours free of charge.
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.
Look for accommodation in Brandnertal.
