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Summer in Lech am Arlberg, Austria: Hikes, Hotels, and Transit

Lech am Arlberg (1444 m) is a village in Vorarlberg in Austria. This alpine town is considered one of the most posh ski holiday destinations in Europe.

However, in summer, Lech is far more low-key, attracting families of hikers and loyal retirees. 

We love Lech in summer. It’s idyllic, romantic, and very approachable. Everything is within easy walking distance.

The River Lech runs through the center of the village in storybook fashion. And, the solitary Omeshorn creates the perfect mountain backdrop.

Cradled between the Lechquellen Mountains and the Lechtal Alps, Lech am Arlberg is a stellar base for hiking. 

Overall, we find that the hiking is accessible, leisurely, and incredibly scenic. Surprisingly, the ski infrastructure doesn’t detract from the hiking experience.

Lech is also a perfect destination for anyone traveling with public transit. A system of cableways and hiking buses make getting to/from trailheads very easy.

This is one of the few places in the Austrian Alps where you actually don’t need a car. And, that’s saying something.

Lech am Arlberg, Austria

Lech am Arlberg Hiking Map


Lech am Arlberg Hiking Trails


1. Formarinsee to Spullersee Hiking Trail

Lake Formarinsee Hike, Lechquellen, Lech am Arlberg, Austria

The day hike from Lake Formarinsee to Lake Spullersee showcases some of the most enchanting areas of the Lechquellen Mountains.

Starting at the Freiburger hut at Formarinsee, trail 601 ascends across wildflower-carpeted slopes and alpine pastures to Steinernes Meer (“Stone Sea”), an impressive karst landscape.

After traversing the Stone Sea, you’ll continue your ascent to the Gehrengrat mountain ridge.

Next, you’ll descend along the ridge towards the Dalaaser Schütz high alpine valley. The trail leads easily down the valley to the Spullersee reservoir.

Trail Stats

Starting Point | Lake Formarinsee

Ending Point | Lake Spullersee

Distance | 11.4 km point-to-point

Time Needed | 4:30 hours

Elevation Gain | 637 meters

Elevation Loss | 673 meters

Difficulty | Moderately Difficult

Learn More: Formarinsee to Spullersee Trail Guide


2. Rüfikopf – Stuttgarter Hut – Zürs Hiking Trail

Rüfikopf - Stuttgarter Hut - Zürs Hiking Trail, Lech, Austria

This blissfully easy hike begins at the Rüfikopf cable car mountain station in the Lechtal Alps. The Rüfikopf cable car valley station is located in the very center of Lech village.

From here, you’ll hike to the Stuttgarter mountain hut via the Ochsengümple valley and the Rauhekopfscharte saddle.

The hike continues downhill to the Pazieltal valley and ultimately to the village of Zürs.

Trail Stats

Starting Point | Rüfikopfbahn cable car mountain station

Ending Point | Zürs

Distance | 10.6 km point-to-point

Time Needed | 3:30 hours

Elevation Gain | 314 meters

Elevation Loss | 931 meters

Difficulty | Easy – Moderate

Learn More: Stuttgarter Hut Day Hike


3. Oberlech – Göppinger Hütte Hike

Göppinger Hut to Unteren Älpele hiking trail, Lech, Austria

This rewarding day hike leads from Petersboden (accessible by cable car and chairlift from Lech) to Göppinger Hut on the Gamsboden Plateau in the Lechquellen Mountains.

The trail first ascends to Butzensee, a mountain lake at the foot of Mohnenfluh.

From the Butzen saddle, you’ll continue ascending a beautiful karst landscape to the Butzenspitze peak ridge. The trail continues easily across scree slopes to the Göppinger Hut.

After lunch at the hut, you can descend to Gasthaus Älpele in Zugertal Valley.

Though this hike traverses a high-alpine environment, it’s not technically difficult. There are only a few steep passages, which require extra attention.

Trail Stats

Starting Point | Petersboden Chairlift mountain station

Ending Point | Gasthaus Älpele

Distance | 13.3 km point-to-point

Time Needed | 5 hours

Elevation Gain | 776 meters

Elevation Loss | 1138 meters

Difficulty | Moderate – Moderately-Difficult

Learn More: Oberlech – Göppinger Hut – Gasthaus Älpele Day Hike


4. Spuller Schafberg Peak Hike

Spuller Schafberg Peak Hike, Lech am Arlberg, Austria

Spuller Schafberg (2679 m) is a popular summit in the Lechquellen Mountains.

The trail to the peak starts at Ravensburger Hütte, which is a 45-minute walk from Lake Spullersee.

The best part of this hike is the long ridge trail leading up to the summit. It’s particularly enjoyable on the way down. Views extend to the Rätikon, Silvretta, and Verwall ranges.

Trail Stats

Starting Point | Lake Spullersee

Ending Point | Zug

Distance | 12.3 km point-to-point

Time Needed | 6 hours

Elevation Gain | 980 meters

Elevation Loss | 1291 meters

Difficulty | Moderately Difficult

Learn More: Spuller Schafberg Peak Hike


5. Lechweg Stage 1 Hiking Trail

Lechweg Stage 1, Formarinsee to Lech Hike, Austria

The Lechweg is a long-distance hiking trail along the River Lech. The first stage of the Lechweg is from Lake Formarinsee to Lech am Arlberg.

Many hikers report that Stage 1 is the most beautiful part of the whole trail.

From Lake Formarinsee (accessible by bus), a gentle and easy hiking path leads down the Zugertal Valley along gurgling streams.

You’ll cross alpine pastures and pockets of forest, and walk along sturdy boardwalks on the edge of the river.

It’s a magical trail, perfect for families with children and anyone else who wants a relaxing day in nature.

Trail Stats

Starting Point | Lake Formarinsee

Ending Point | Lech am Arlberg

Distance | 14.1 km point-to-point

Time Needed | 3:30 – 4 hours

Elevation Gain | 2 meters

Elevation Loss | 430 meters

Difficulty | Easy


Lech am Arlberg Buses and Cableways

Lech am Arlberg mountain view, Vorarlberg, Austria

Most hikes in Lech am Arlberg require either a bus, or a cableway, or both.

We recommend purchasing a Lech Card if you plan on staying in Lech more than 1 day.

This card gives you free access to the following local buses (“Ortsbus Lech”) and cableways.


Regional Summer Buses

Lake Formarinsee, Lech, Austria

Bus Line 1: Rüfiplatz – Stubenbach 

Bus Line 2: Rüfiplatz – Zug

Bus Line 3: Lech – Warth – Saloberlifte 

Bus Line 4: Zürs – Lech – Oberlech

Bus Line 6: Rüfiplatz – Spullersee 

Bus Line 7: Rüfiplatz – Formarinsee

You can download current bus timetables on the Lech-Zürs Local Bus page.


Summer Cableways

Lech – Oberlech Cable Car

Lech – Rüfikopf Cable Car

Oberlech – Petersboden Chairlift

Seekopfbahn – Zürsersee lake Chairlift (closed on Mondays)

Steffisalp-Express

For operating times and dates, read Summer Cable Cars in Lech.


Trail Signage and Waymarks in Vorarlberg

Lechquellen Mountains Hiking Trail, Lech, Austria

In Vorarlberg, trail markers are marked differently than in other regions in Austria. They follow the waymarking system of Switzerland.

Yellow-White Trails | Easy

White-Red-White Trails | Moderate

White-Blue-White Trails | Difficult (Alpine)

When reading trail signs, you may encounter the following words and phrases:

  • nur für Geübte – Only for experienced
  • ungesicherter Steig – Unprotected route (no fixed cables, etc…)
  • Hütte – Mountain hut
  • Alpe – Mountain pasture. In other parts of Austria, alpine pastures are usually called Almen (Alm: singular).
  • Spitze – Peak
  • Grat – ridge
  • Bach – Stream
  • Tal – Valley
  • See – Lake
  • Achtung Weidevieh – Attention: grazing cattle

Learn More: German Hiking Vocabulary


Where to Stay in Lech am Arlberg in Summer

Lech am Arlberg, Austria

We recommend staying in the village center of Lech am Arlberg.

You can also stay in Oberlech (“Upper Lech”), but it’s more convenient to stay directly in Lech.

Oberlech is popular in winter, because of the ski-in ski-out hotels.

Read Next: Best Hotels in Lech am Arlberg


Budget-Friendly Accommodations in Lech

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 Rüfikopfbahn 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.

Look for accommodation in Lech am Arlberg.


Boutique and Luxury Hotels in Lech

Der Berghof, Lech, Austria
Der Berghof

Luxury | Hotel Arlberg Lech is a top-rated, upscale hotel in the very heart of Lech village. Stay here for their award-winning spa and wellness area, an oasis comprising a heated pool, 6 saunas, a cold plunge pool, ladies-only area, and hydrotherapy showers. Half board available. 


Hotel Auenhof, Lech am Arlberg, Vorarlberg, Austria

Hotel Auenhof

Hotel Auenhof is a family-run, 4-star superior hotel in Lech am Arlberg. Located directly on the River Lech and facing Omeshorn, this welcoming hotel boasts romantic alpine views as well as a central location. 

The family and staff work side-by-side to ensure that every guest is well looked after. During our stay, it became quickly apparent that many of the guests were return visitors, loyal to the hotel and very fond of the staff. 

There’s absolutely no artifice here. It’s one of the most genuine and welcoming hotels we’ve ever stayed in. 

Each evening, a decadent 5-course dinner is served. We were blown away by the bold creativity, delightful presentation, and astounding flavors of each course. From the creme goat cheese topped with beetroot, cherry and chocolate to the chorizo and corn cappuccino, each dish is both fanciful and delicious. Kudos to Chef Matthias Fiebig and his team. 

More things we loved about our stay:

  • Central Location. It’s a 5-minute walk to Rüfiplatz, the main bus stop in Lech am Arlberg and the Rüfikopf cable car valley station. 
  • Mountain views of Omeshorn. 
  • Extremely comfortable bed and premium down bedding.
  • Wellness area. The spa area encompasses a tea bar, indoor pool, salt steam sauna, Finnish sauna, herb sauna, Infrared Cabins, Laconium, waterbeds, and a new, modern silent area. 
  • Spa bag with towels, bathrobe and sauna towels.
  • Complimentary afternoon snack is served between 2:30 and 5:00 pm

Book your stay at Hotel Auenhof.


Der Berghof, Lech am Arlberg, Austria

Der Berghof

Der Berghof is an elegant, 4-star superior hotel in the center of Lech am Arlberg. 

Each bedroom is uniquely designed with premium materials and furnished with extraordinary attention to detail. As guests, we were enamored by the jewel-toned color palette, the soft lighting, the velvet furniture, the down bedding, the wool carpet, and the bathroom fixtures. It’s clear that no expense was spared in the concept and creation of these gorgeous bedrooms. 

Apart from the aesthetics, rooms at Der Berghof are soundproof and extremely comfortable. Guests are treated to a welcome fruit basket and the local, natural cosmetic line Resa Wants. 

The hotel’s wellness area encompasses a bio sauna (50-65 °C), Finnish sauna (70°C and 90°C), schwitzstube (90°C und 100°C), steam bath (42°C), infrared cabin, cold water basin (8-10 °C), foot bath, and relaxation room. We loved the spa’s easy-to-navigate layout and modern saunas. 

The wellness experience is further enhanced by the readily available salt exfoliant pastes (for the steam bath), bath salt (for the footbath), and the tea bar with snacks (nuts, dried and fresh fruit). 

Guests can look forward to a rich and healthy breakfast buffet (included in the room rate) featuring sliced cheese and meats, spreads (hummus, liptauer, etc…), eggs and bacon, breads and delicious croissants, homemade jams, muesli and yogurt, a juice bar and a premium loose leaf tea bar. 

Book your stay at Der Berghof.


More Vorarlberg and Austria Travel Guides

Vorarlberg:

Rätikon Alps, Vorarlberg:

Silvretta Alps, Vorarlberg:

Austria Travel Itineraries:



Lech am Arlberg in Summer, Austria

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Sabrina Brett

Hello! I’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.

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