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.
- Starting Point: Spullersee bus stop | Google Maps
- Ending point: Zug/Kirchle
- Distance: 12.3 km point-to-point
- Time Needed: 6 hours
- Elevation Gain: 980 meters
- Elevation Loss: 1291 meters
- Difficulty: Moderate-Moderately Difficult (Vorarlberg Blue Trail)
- Minimum Elevation: 1484 meters
- Maximum Elevation: 2677 meters
- When to Hike: Late June – Late September
- Weather Forecast and Webcam: Bergfex Weather Lech
- Where to Eat: Ravensburger Hütte
- Where to Stay in Lech: Lech Hostel (budget), Hotel Garni Schneider (midrange), Hotel Auenhof (4-star), or Hotel Der Berghof (4-star superior)
- Recommended Trail Map: WK 5504 Arlberg 1:35 000 (Freytag + Berndt)
- Recommended Itinerary: Austria Road Trip Itinerary (2 weeks)
Spuller Schafberg Hiking Map
How to Get to Spullersee
Because this is a point-to-point hike and there are driving restrictions (8 am – 16:30 pm, Wednesday all day) in Zugertal Valley, it makes the most sense to take a bus to the starting point.
From Lech am Arlberg (Rüfiplatz), take bus line 706 to Spullersee. This bus runs 6 times a day. Current timetable.
Bus Stop Lech Rüfiplatz | Google Maps
This bus is included in the Lech Card, which we recommend purchasing, if you’re staying more than one day in Lech.
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 hours)
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 (45 minutes).
We ended our hike at the chapel in Zug (bus stop Zug Kirchle | Google Maps), where we hopped on a bus back to Lech.
Several buses connect Zug to Lech including 706, 707, and 702. Current timetable.
Where to Stay in 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.
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.
Look for an accommodation in Lech.
More Vorarlberg + Austria Hiking Guides
Vorarlberg:
Brandnertal Valley:
Montafon Valley:
Hiking in Austria:
- Best Day Hikes in Austria
- Austrian Alps Hiking Destinations
- Best Treks in Austria
- Hut to Hut Hiking in Austria
- How to Visit an Austrian Mountain Hut
