Schafgafall Peak Hike: Best Viewpoint of Lünersee in Vorarlberg, Austria

Lake Lünersee is a mountain lake in the Rätikon Alps of Vorarlberg, Austria, easily accessible from Brandnertal (Brand Valley). 

This eye-catching mountain lake, rimmed with limestone peaks, is the starting point of many hiking adventures in the Rätikon Alps. During our first trip to Lünersee, we commenced the multi-day Rätikon Alps Circuit High Trail. During our second trip, we stayed in Hotel Lün in Brand and hiked to Schafgafall Peak (2414 m) and Schesaplana Peak (2965 m). 

Hikers, young and old, venture to Lake Lünersee to walk the circuit trail around the lake. Many combine the Lünersee circuit trail with a hike to a nearby panoramic peak, or mountain pass.

We highly recommend combining the Lünersee-Rundweg with Schafgafall Peak for an impressive bird’s-eye view of the lake and its spellbinding surroundings. 

This is a moderate trail, but the path is steep. Only attempt this in dry conditions, as the trail is potentially hazardous (too slippery) after rainfall.

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Schafgafall Hiking Map

To view an interactive map of this trail, check out our Lünersee guide.

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Where to Start the Schafgafall Peak Hike

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Lünerseebahn Cableway Mountain Station

The Lünerseebahn cableway valley station is located at the uppermost part of Brand Valley. 

You can drive, or take the bus to the valley station. Local buses link Bludenz (train station) and Brand (village) to Lünerseebahn. 

The cableway operates daily between mid/late May and mid/late October. 

Purchase an ascent and descent ticket. 

For exact operating times, dates, and prices, consult luenersee.at.

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Schafgafall Peak Hike Description

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Lünerseebahn Mountain Station to Südlicher Schafgafall (1:25 hours)

The hike to Schafgafall, specifically Südlicher Schafgafall, begins by following the Lünersee Circular Trail in a clockwise direction.

Upon exiting the Lünerseebahn Bergstation (mountain station), turn left. Walk across the terrace of Douglasshütte. 

Continue across the Staumauer, or dam wall. After crossing the wall, you’ll arrive at a signed junction with trails signs. Continue right following the signs to Schafgafall (1:15 hours) and Lünerseealpe (50 min).

The path immediately ascends in switchbacks. After 10-minutes of steeply hiking uphill, the trail levels. The views of Lünersee are sensational. 

Soon the trail divides. Take the left upper path in the direction of Lünerkrinne and H. Hueter-Hütte. This marks the beginning of the Schafgafall Peak hike.

You will return to this exact junction after hiking to the peak. 

In 120 meters (3 minutes), the trail divides again. Take the left path. There’s a timber sign indicating the direction to Schafgafall. 

The narrow hiking trail steeply climbs the grassy mountainside in a northerly direction. 

The trail crosses the craggy ridge that runs southeast to Lünerkrinne. Ignore the faint footpath that branches off to the right. 

Cross the rugged, eastern mountain flank (very narrow, ever-so-slightly exposed) of a minor peak to reach a wide grassy saddle, covered in wildflowers. 

From the saddle, the trail leads straight up the grassy southern slope of Schafgafall. It’s a direct ascent with no charitable switchbacks, but the views are tremendous. 

When you reach the ridge, turn left and continue up the boulder-studded slope to the summit, marked with a humble cross and summit register. 

In my opinion, this summit view is one of the most rewarding in all Austria. 

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Südlicher Schafgafall to Lünersee Alpe (1:05 hours)

Follow the same route back down to the Lünersee Circuit Trail. We recommend completing the circular path around the lake if you have time. 

The way to Lünerseealpe (35 minutes) follows a well-groomed track that gently slopes down. 

After crossing an alpine pasture, the path develops into a wide ledge. Fixed cable fences have been erected intermittently, creating a safety barrier. 

Lünersee Alpe, surrounded by grazing cattle, is a rustic, managed alpine pasture hut that serves local products and drinks (cash only). 

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Lünersee Alpe to Lünerseebahn Mountain Station (1:30 hours)

With no difficulty, the wide track follows the lake’s edge for another 1:30 hours to the Lünersee mountain station. 

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Where to Stay in Brand

Brand is the main holiday town in Brandnertal. We recommend staying in Brand, for the best accommodation and restaurant options and easy transit connections to Lünersee and Bludenz.

Top Choice – Midrange | Hotel Lün is a lovingly-run, carbon-neutral hotel with 15 rooms in Brand, about halfway between the Palüdbahn and Dorfbahn cableways. This small hotel stands out with its organic, homemade breakfast and rejuvenating wellness area (3 saunas, tea bar, and relaxation room). Read our Hotel Lün review.

Midrange | Hotel Garni Tannleger B&B offers modern well-kept rooms in the village of Brand. Guests are treated to a lovely breakfast. If you stay here 2+ nights during the summer season (May – October), you will be given a premium guest card, which gives you free and unlimited use of the local cableways (including the Lünersee cable car). 

Luxury | Hotel Sarotla is a luxury hotel with an on-site restaurant, bar, and wellness area directly across from the Dorfbahn cableway valley station and next to a golf course in the heart of Brand. 

More accommodations in Brand | Bergkristall (midrange), Hotel Sonne (midrange), Valavier Aktivresort (family-friendly luxury)

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More Rätikon Alps and Vorarlberg Guides

Lünersee and Brandnertal:

• Schesaplana Peak Hike

Vorarlberg, Austria:

• Vorarlberg Hiking Guide

Rätikon Alps, Liechtenstein:

• Liechtenstein Panorama Trail

Lech am Arlberg, Vorarlberg:

• Lech am Arlberg Summer Hiking Guide
• Lake Formarinsee to Lake Spullersee, Lechquellen Mountains 
• Oberlech – Göppinger Hütte Hike
• Rüfikopf – Stuttgarter Hütte Hike
• Spuller Schafberg Peak Hike, Lechquellen Mountains

Silvretta Alps / Montafon, Vorarlberg:

• Hohes Rad Circuit Trail, Silvretta Alps
• Montafon Hut to Hut Circuit

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