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Lake Formarinsee to Lake Spullersee Day Hike, Vorarlberg, Austria

This spectacular day hike in the idyllic Lechquellen Mountains is one of our newest additions to Best Day Hikes in Austria

We loved this trail because of the pristine scenery (no ugly ski infrastructure), the awe-inducing alpine views of the Lechquellen and Verwall groups, and the terrain variation. Itโ€™s never boring – not for a single moment!

This point-to-point hike in Lech am Arlberg, Vorarlberg, requires the use of bus transit. Starting in Lech am Arlberg, take bus 707 to Lake Formarinsee (30 minutes).

From Formarinsee, hike 11.3 km across the Steinernes Meer (โ€œStone Seaโ€) and over the Gehrengrat ridge (2439 m), before descending to Lake Spullersee. From Spullersee, hop on bus 706 back to Lech am Arlberg.

Keep reading for detailed transit and trail descriptions.

Formarinsee to Spullersee, Lech am Arlberg Day Hike, Austria
  • Starting Point: Formarinsee Bus Stop | Google Maps
  • Ending Point: Spullersee Bus Stop
  • Distance: 11.4 km point-to-point
  • Time Needed: 4:30 hours 
  • Elevation Gain: 637 meters
  • Elevation Loss: 673 meters
  • Difficulty: Moderate in dry conditions. Difficult in wet conditions 
  • Minimum Elevation: 1821 meters
  • Maximum Elevation: 2439 meters
  • When to Hike: Late June โ€“ September
  • Weather Forecast and WebcamBergfex Weather Lech
  • Where to Eat: Freiburger Hรผtte
  • Responsible Hiking in the Lechquellen Mountains: During this hike, youโ€™ll likely encounter grazing cattle. Do not pet, or approach cows. Give them a wide berth. With the exception of hiking around cows, stay on marked trails and make sure to pack up all your garbage.
  • Where to Stay in Lech: Lech Hostel (budget), Hotel Garni Schneider (midrange), or Hotel Auenhof (4-star)
  • Recommended Trail Map: WK 5504 Arlberg 1:35 000 (Freytag + Berndt)
  • Recommended ItineraryAustria Road Trip Itinerary (2 weeks)

Formarinsee – Spullersee Hiking Map


Trail Difficulty

In dry conditions, this hike is moderate to difficult, depending on your alpine hiking experience. In wet conditions, this hike is very slippery and a bit treacherous due to the loamy terrain.

Specifically, there are two parts of this trail that weโ€™d deem “moderately difficult:” crossing the karst Steinernes Meer and the initial descent from Gehrengrat.

Steinernes Meer | To hike across the Steinernes Meer, you need to have very good balance and surefootedness, because the terrain is very uneven. You must skillfully navigate slabs of karst pavement.

Gehrengrat | As you descend from Gehrengrat ridge in the direction of Lake Spullersee, the trail is washed out and unstable in some places. Hiking poles are extremely helpful in stabilizing your descent. We saw a lot of people struggling.


How to Get to Lake Formarinsee

Lech am Arlberg, Austria
Lech am Arlberg

Purchase a Lech Card

If youโ€™re spending more than one day in Lech am Arlberg, it makes sense to invest in a Lech Card.

Itโ€™ll save you a lot of money in transit costs (bus, gondola, chairlift, cable car, etcโ€ฆ) and make your overall transit experience a whole lot smoother. Pricing Lech Card.

You can purchase Lech Cards at the tourist office in Lech am Arlberg, or in your hotel. 


Take Bus 707 from Lech am Arlberg to Formarinsee

Bus Stop | Lech Rรผfiplatz, next to the fountain and the wooden-covered โ€œTannbergbrรผckeโ€ bridge | Google Maps

Timetable | Youโ€™ll find the current timetable (local bus) at the bus stop.

Duration | 30 Minutes

From Lech, bus 707 heads to Zugertal Valley, passing Zug, Spullerswald Forest, Gasthaus ร„lpele, and Tannlageralpe.

The road runs parallel to Lech River, so youโ€™ll see the Lechweg (Lech River Trail, 1st stage) during the ride.

More information | Hiking bus Vorarlberg


Drive to Formarinsee

We do not recommend driving to Lake Formarinsee during the official summer season.

However, if you’re arriving in Lech before/after the summer buses are operating, you can drive to Formarinsee via “MautstraรŸe Zugertal”. There is a toll fee (card payment only).

When buses are operating, it’s also possible to drive to the lake before 8 am or after 4:30 pm (except on Wednesdays).

If you are not staying in Lech, park your car in the paid Parking garage Anger.


Lake Formarinsee to Lake Spullersee Trail Description


Formarinsee to Freiburger Hรผtte (35 – 45 minutes)

Formarinsee, Lechquellen Mountains, Vorarlberg

From the bus drop-off point, head down the gravel track towards Formarinsee and follow the road to Freiburger Hรผtte (1918 m).

You can also hike the narrow trail on the east side of the lake, which is more scenic.

As you near Freiburger Hรผtte, you’ll start to see Rote Wand (“Red Wall”, 2704 m), one of the most beloved mountains in the Lechquellen Gebirge. 

Freiburger Hรผtte, Formarinsee, Vorarlberg

Freiburger Hรผtte to Steinernes Meer (1 hour)

Formaletsch, Formarinsee to Spullersee Trail

Wrap around Freiburger Hรผtte and follow signs to Steinernes Meer (signed 1:15 hours) and Spullersee (signed 4:15 hours). 

Youโ€™ll gradually ascend on an earthy track up a verdant slope.

In July, the trail is awash with splashes of pale-pink Maidenโ€™s Tears, purple Alpine calamint and Wood Cranesbill, yellow kidney vetch, and Mountain Arnica. 

After hiking uphill for about 1.3 km, youโ€™ll cross a pasture fence, and the rounded Formaletsch mountain comes into focus.

The trail levels out and continues horizontally along the south slope of Formaletsch. 

Here, youโ€™ll see the crystalline Verwall mountain range straight ahead. 

Your hike will likely be enlivened by the sound of bells, as youโ€™ll be traversing alpine pastures dotted with grazing cows and frolicking calves. 

To learn more about alpine pasture safety, read our guide to Visiting the Alps in Summer.

Steinernes Meer, Lechquellen Mountains Day Hike, Vorarlberg

The easy path around Formaletsch delivers you to the Steinernes Meer, a karst landscape that is aptly called โ€œStone Sea.โ€


Steinernes Meer to Gehrengrat (1:30 hours)

Rote Wand, Lechquellen Mountains, Day Hike Lech am Arlberg

Following the red-painted waymarks, slowly cross the heather-grey Steinernes Meer (about 30 – 35  minutes).

Given the unevenness of the terrain, this part can get a bit exhausting, because each step requires concentration. Visually and geologically, however, this is a very exciting part of the trail.

When you reach the Steinernes Meer trail intersection, the hard part is over. Continue straight in the direction of Gehrengrat and Spullersee (signed 3 hours).

The path is level and youโ€™ll cross a meadow, before beginning the 280 meter ascent to Gehrengrat ridge (2439 m).

The ascent has some steep sections, but itโ€™s mostly quite gentle because of the loamy terrain.

As mentioned earlier, if the conditions are โ€œwet,โ€ then this will be slippery and more difficult. The ascent concludes with a series of switchbacks.

Gehrengrat views, Lechquellen Mountains

As you glance back, the views of Rote Wand and the Lechquellen Mountains make you wish you were hiking in the opposite direction.

Donโ€™t worry, your descent will be accompanied by equally marvelous vistas on the other side. 

When you reach the top of Gehrengrat, youโ€™ll see the limestone Rรคtikon and the crystalline Silvretta ranges, bordering Switzerland.

In the opposite direction, youโ€™ll see Spullersee flanked by the dramatic Rohnspitze, Goppelsptize, and Wasenspitze.


Gehrengrat to Dalaaser Schรผtz (1 hour)

Gehrengrat, Day Hike in the Lechquellen Mountains

Following the ridge, descend in the direction of Spullersee. I was saying โ€œwowโ€ with every step. In some places, the trail is washed out and crumbling, which can be extremely problematic if you donโ€™t have hiking poles or adequate footwear.

We recommend grade B/C high-cut hiking books like the womenโ€™s Hanwag Tatra II GTX / Meindl Schuhe Island Lady or the menโ€™s Hanwag Tatra II GTX.

After navigating this steep descent, the trail levels out and youโ€™ll cross the Glongbach stream, before gently descending across grassy meadows to the high valley of Dalaaser Schรผtz.


Dalaaser Schรผtz to Spullersee (40 minutes)

Hike to Spullersee, Lechquellen, Austria

At the Dalaaser Schรผtz trail intersection, continue heading down along the wide track. Shortly thereafter, youโ€™ll turn right, leaving the wide track, and follow the trail (thereโ€™s a waymark). 

The trail continues to descend gently and youโ€™ll glide right to Spullersee.

Shortly before reaching the lake, youโ€™ll cross a meadow blooming with purple Gentian (Gentiana purpurea).

At the lake, head left and walk 10 minutes to the bus stop. 

Spullersee, Lechquellen Mountains, Lech am Arlberg, Austria

Related: Austrian Alps Hiking Destinations


How to Get Back from Lake Spullersee to Lech

Timetable | Bus 706 departs from Spullersee to Lech about 6 times a day. Current timetable (local bus).

Exact location Bus Stop Spullersee | Google Maps

The bus drives down the scenic Spulleralpe, stopping at Dalaaser Staffel, Abzweigung, ร„lpele, Zug Kirchle, on the way back to Rรผfiplatz, Lech. 

Duration | 30 Minutes


Where to Stay

Oberlech to Lech am Arlberg, Vorarlberg, Austria
Walking from Oberlech to Lech

Lech am Arlberg

Lech am Arlberg in Summer, Vorarlberg, Austria

Lech am Arlberg is an alpine village in the Arlberg region of Vorarlberg.

It’s situated at an elevation of 1444 meters, between the Lechquellen Mountains and the Lechtal Alps. This darling destination is one of our favorite places to hike in Austria in summer.

You can take advantage of the regional summer busses to tackle a number of point-to-point hikes like Spuller Schafberg to Zug, the first stage of the Lechweg, Oberlech to Gรถppinger Hut, and Rรผfikopf to Stuttgarter Hรผtte.

Budget | Lech Hostel is a budget-friendly accommodation in Lech am Arlberg, offering clean and cozy single, double, and triple rooms. Guests have access to a shared kitchen and shared lounge. Bathrooms are shared as well. The room rate is unbeatable. 

Midrange | Hotel Garni Schneider is a top-rated, affordable bed and breakfast, situated next to Rรผfikopfbahn in the center of Lech. Bedrooms are nicely decorated, spotless, and comfortable. Guests also have access to a wellness area (Finnish sauna, steam bath, Kneipp basins, and relaxation room) and free private parking.

Luxury | Hotel Auenhof is a family-run 4-star superior hotel, situated along the River Lech, facing Omeshorn. With its dreamy location and extraordinary staff, Hotel Auenhof outshines other Lech accommodations in terms of its hospitality and atmosphere. The highlight of staying here is the gourmet multi-course dinners, which delight with their creative ingredient combinations, flavors, and presentations. Many hotel restaurants strive to be innovative, but none so successfully as Hotel Auenhof. As a guest, youโ€™ll also enjoy the generous, complimentary afternoon snacks and a very nice wellness area.

Luxury | Der Berghof is a sophisticated, 4-star superior hotel in the center of Lech. This hotel delivers an unparalleled experience in terms of style, comfort, wellness and cuisine. Bedrooms are designed with premium materials and furnished with extraordinary attention to detail. The wellness area features five modern saunas, a cold water basin, and a foot bath. The breakfast was extraordinary.

Look for accommodation in Lech.


Oberlech

Oberlech, Lech am Arlberg, Austria

Luxury | Hotel Sonnenburg is the perfect hotel for families with children and literature lovers.

Youโ€™ll find books in your room, by the pool, in the lobby, and in the hotel library. The hotel also holds literature events throughout the year as well as rotating exhibitions.

During our visit, there was an inclusive โ€œAlles Familieโ€ (All Families) childrenโ€™s book exhibit, showcasing all types of families. 

Childcare is provided on most days for at least several hours. And, there are also playrooms for kids. 

Our favorite thing about Hotel Sonnenburg was our room. We just melted into the bed. The comforters are deluxe and the rooms are designed intentionally, exhibiting functional sophistication.

Thereโ€™s space for everything and you really feel like youโ€™re on vacation.

One last thing – breakfast is lavish. Itโ€™s like an ancient Roman banquet. It does not end. If we had to rank Austrian hotels based on breakfast, Hotel Sonnenburg would place number one.

Book your stay at Hotel Sonnenburg.


More Vorarlberg + Austria Hiking Guides

Vorarlberg:

Brandnertal Valley:

Montafon Valley:

Hiking in Austria:



Sabrina Brett

Hello! Iโ€™m a spirited traveler on a quest to hike in the most picturesque alpine and coastal destinations across Europe. In 2016, I left my home and job in San Francisco, California, to move to Germany, and later Austria. The following year, I created this blog to help like-minded travelers experience new and exciting ways to travel authentically. I travel to hike, and I hope to inspire your next adventure.

This post may contain affiliate links.

8 thoughts on “Lake Formarinsee to Lake Spullersee Day Hike, Vorarlberg, Austria”

  1. Does this hike make sense in opposite direction? So as to stay at Freibergerhutte at the evening.

    I wonder if it would be less spectacular

    Reply
    • Definitely! The views are great in both directions. If you hike from Spullersee to Formarinsee, you’ll have continuous views of the Rote Wand during the second half of the hike.

      Reply
  2. I completed this hike in August 2021 and it was spectacular!! The view from Gehrengrat is unbelievable. I opted to hike from Spullersee to Formarinsee and for me that was perfect for a few reasons –
    1. The ascent up to Gehrengrat from Spullersee is quite steep. My knees and vertigo were both glad to be going up rather than down this part. I couldnโ€™t have done it without poles.
    2. I wanted to end at the hut for lunch (it was great!).
    3. The Lech summer guidebook recommended going from Spullersee to Formarinsee and I figured there would be more people going in that direction, which I preferred as a solo hiker.

    There isnโ€™t any shade along the trail so bring plenty of water and sun protection. My last piece of advice is to start as early as possible. The earliest #6 bus from town was 9:16. I wouldnโ€™t want to be climbing up Gehrengrat with traffic coming from the opposite direction because the trail is very narrow, so an early start will help you avoid that. Canโ€™t recommend this trail enough!

    Reply
    • So happy to hear that you enjoyed this hike in Vorarlberg.
      Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
      -Sabrina

      Reply
  3. I’m going to be in the region from June 14th till June 16th
    the buss only starts on June 18th – any other ways to get to the lake?

    Reply
    • Hi Amir,
      If the bus isn’t operating, usually you can drive to the lake. The toll is 20 EUR. But, it’s possible that the summer buses will be operating early June this year.
      Have a great time in Lech,
      Sabrina

      Reply
  4. Hi I will be in Lech this July for a day with a baby in a stroller Hopefully a mountain stroller
    We would very much like to see both lakes Formarinsee and spulersee but dont think we can walk from one to each other with the baby is there a bus that conencts the 2
    thanks for such a helpful blog

    Reply
    • Hi Charles,
      Thanks for reading our blog! Yes, it’s possible.
      Download the local bus summer timetable.
      On the second page, you’ll see a graphic of the Lech bus lines and where they intersect. Bus 706 to Spullersee and Bus 707 to Formarinsee “merge” at the “Abzweigung” bus stop.
      All the best,
      Sabrina

      Reply

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