Spuller Schafberg (also spelled Spullerschafberg), 2679 meters, is a prominent mountain in the Lechquellen Mountains in Vorarlberg, Austria.
It’s a popular peak hike from the high-altitude reservoir Lake Spullersee, easily accessible by bus from Lech am Arlberg.
The hike to the summit is straightforward, though definitely requires stamina. There’s some karst pavement to contend with, but nothing too tricky.
The whole point of hiking up to Spuller Schafberg is to hike down it. As you descend the Spuller Schafberg’s lengthy ridge, you’ll be met with sweeping views of multiple ranges and a birds-eye view of Lake Spullersee. This ridge trail is like candy – it doesn’t get better than this. But, you must first tackle 980 meters to earn it.
Spuller Schafberg Trail Guide
- Trailhead: Spullersee
- Distance: 12.3 km point-to-point
- Time Needed: 5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 980 meters ascending
- Elevation Loss: 1291 meters descending
- Difficulty: Moderate/Moderately Difficult (Vorarlberg Blue Trail)
- Minimum Elevation: 1484 meters
- Maximum Elevation: 2677 meters
- When to Hike: Late June – Late September
- Where to Eat: Ravensburger Hütte
- Where to Stay: Lech Hostel (budget), Hotel Garni Schneider (midrange), Hotel Auenhof (4-star), or Hotel Der Berghof (4-star superior) in Lech am Arlberg
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Spuller Schafberg Hiking Map
How to Get to Spullersee
Because this is a point-to-point hike and there are driving restrictions in Zugertal Valley, it makes the most sense to take a bus to the starting point.
From Lech am Arlberg (Rüfiplatz), take bus line 6 to Spullersee. This bus runs 6 times a day.
This bus is included in the Lech Card, which we recommend purchasing, if you’re staying more than one day in Lech.
Check this page for the current timetable.
Spullersee – Spuller Schafberg – Zug Trail Description
Spullersee to Ravensburger Hütte (45 minutes)
The fastest way to get to Ravensburger Hut is by crossing the Spullersee Nordsperre (“Northern Barrier”), the cement reservoir wall, very close to the bus stop. This route leads you to the hut in 45 minutes.
You can also walk around the lake and then cross at the Spullersee Südsperre (“Southern Barrier”). This route affords wonderful views of the lake and the Verwall range. However it is longer and takes about 1:15 hours to reach the hut.
Both routes will eventually merge.
Follow the footpath across the meadow up to the hut.
Ravensburger Hütte to Spuller Schafberg (2:15 hours)
The trail to Spuller Schafberg leads southeast from Ravensburger Hütte (1947 m). Follow the trail sign to Alpiner Steig Schafberg nur für Geübte, which means “mountain hiking trail Schafberg only for experienced.”
The footpath leads across grassy slopes, along a flat loamy trail. All around, we saw plump marmots readying for the winter season.
If you look back towards Ravensburger hut, there are excellent views of Obere Wilgrubenspitze (2625 m) and Roggalspitze (2673 m).
The trail steepens significantly. You’ll see slabs of karst rock, which look like silver petrified lava.
The trail levels for a bit, before ascending once again. The dirt path zigzags continuously up grassy slopes.
As you gain elevation, the Verwall, Silvretta, and Rätikon ranges overlap in the distance. Looking west, take note of the long ridge of Gehrengrat. There’s another great hike from Formarinsee over the Gehrengrat ridge to Spullersee.
When you crest the ridge, you’ll see the summit ahead.
This friendly ridge trail has no exposure, though I wouldn’t suggest hiking up here after rainfall.
It takes about an hour to ascend to the peak.
The final leg to the summit traverses heavy karst terrain.
The summit is marked by two crosses. Atop Spuller Schafberg, you’ll see Lech am Arlberg at the foot of the Lechtal Alps, along with countless other ranges.
Spuller Schafberg to Ravensburger Hütte (1:15 – 1:30 hrs)
Follow the same trail back down to Ravensburger Hütte.
Though out-and-back hikes have the potential to be boring, this descent couldn’t be more enjoyable.
Not fighting for breath, you can relish the impossibly gorgeous scenery, as you retrace your steps along the ridge.
Ravensburger Hütte – Stierlochjoch – Zug (1:45 hours)
Ravensburger Hütte (Deutscher Alpenverein, DAV) is usually open from mid/late June until late September, depending on snow conditions. This is the only place to eat along the route.
The trail to Zug continues north. The trail gently ascends towards the Alpe Brazer Staffel alpine pasture, dating back to the 1850s.
At the signed trail intersection, bear left to Stierlochjoch (5 minutes) and Zug (1:15 hours).
From the Stierlochjoch saddle, the trail initially follows a gravel road, which is also a bike path.
After 15 minutes, continue straight on the hiking trail, leaving the road.
This path dives into the forest. Though you’ll lose a lot of elevation, the descent is very gentle.
Eventually, you’ll arrive at a signed intersection. Follow the sign to Zug über Wasserfallweg (“Waterfall Trail”). From the bench, the trail descends to the Stierlochbach stream.
When you get to the stream, you’ll see the Zug Waterfall to your right.
The path to Zug follows the stream.
You can also hike all the way back to Lech.
We ended our hike at the chapel in Zug (bus stop Zug Kirchle), where we hopped on a bus back to Lech. Several buses connect Zug to Lech including 6, 7, and 2.
Where to Stay near Spuller Schafberg
Lech am Arlberg
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 the Oberlech to Göppinger Hütte Trail, the first stage of the Lechweg, the Rüfikopf to Stuttgarter Hütte Trail, and our favorite Formarinsee to Spullersee Trail.
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.
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, you’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 an accommodation in Lech.
Spuller Schafberg Hiking Essentials
Hiking Gear
- Hiking Backpack: Osprey Tempest 30 Women’s Backpack / Osprey Talon 33 Men’s Backpack
- Grade B/C high-cut hiking boots: Meindl Schuhe Island Lady (Kati’s Boots), Women’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (Sabrina’s Boots), Men’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (men’s equivalent)
- Hiking Poles: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles
- Polarized, CAT 4 Sunglasses: Julbo Shield Mountain Sunglasses
Photography Gear
- Camera Body: Sony Alpha a6400
- Mid-range Zoom Lens: Sony Vario-Tessar 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS ZEISS
- Wide angle Zoom Lens: Sony – E 10-18mm F4 OSS Wide-angle Zoom Lens
- Backpack Camera Clip: Peak Design Camera Clip
Lechquellen Mountains Map
- We recommend buying the Lech Zürs Wanderkarte/Hiking Map, created by the Lech Zürs tourist office. It’s more reader-friendly than the Alpenvereinskarte Lechtaler Alpen Arlberggebiet 3/2.
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Learn More about Day Hiking in Austria:
Learn More about Trekking in Austria
- Trekking Austria: Best Treks and Long Distance Trails
- Hut to Hut Hiking in Austria: Essential Tips
- How to Visit an Austrian Mountain Hut
Austria Itineraries:
