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Bregenzerwald Tourismus

Impulszentrum 1135 . 6863 Egg . Vorarlberg . Austria T +43 (0)5512 2365 . F +43 (0)5512 3010info@bregenzerwald.at . www.bregenzerwald.at

summer 2015

Ideas and Addresses. Your guide through the Bregenzerwald.

travel guide

Editor:

Bregenzerwald Tourismus GmbH,

Impulszentrum 1135, 6863 Egg

Design by:

broger grafi k, Andelsbuch

Printed by:

Druckhaus Gössler, Bezau

Text by:

Kinz Kommunikation

Florian Aicher (p. 6–7, 68–69, 70–71, 76–77)

Kurt Bracharz (p. 88–89)

Carthography:

Aries Werbegrafi k-Design

Text and planning of hiking routes: Dr. Rudolf

Berchtel

© Land Vorarlberg für Geodaten

Data and prices subject to change. Typographical

errors cannot be excluded. Edition: February 2015

Printed by our reliable, regional partner: Druckhaus Gössler, Bezau

On around 60 pages, the Bregenzerwald travel magazine provides information in the form of edited stories and reports. Regional and international authors report on people in and from the Bregenzerwald and about those things which give them pleasure and joy. Available from Bregenzerwald Tourismus and in the tourist offi ces in the Bregenzerwald. Can also be read online at: www.bregenzerwald.at/uk

Photographs:

Adolf Bereuter (cover, p. 12/32/35/45/71/72/84/88/92/95/98/102)Andreas Riedmiller (p. 54/68/69/90)Bernhard Wilfl ing (p. 65)Christa Branz (p. 19/56)Christine Andorfer (p. 61)Christoph Lingg (p. 18/22/28/30/52/60/76/78/81/94)David Mätzler (p. 85)Elke Beck (p. 40)Frank Broger (p. 48)Franz Fetz (p. 2/17)Georg Schnell (p. 27)Huber Images (p. 41)Ila Orosz Tiborne (p. 86)Ingrid Fink-Nöckler (p. 44)Juliana Krump (p. 15)Josef Berlinger (p. 29)Leonhard Jochum (p. 23)Ludwig Berchtold (p. 13/14/38/91/103)Monika Albrecht (p. 24)Peter Löwy (p. 74)Peter Mathis (p. 55)Peter Rohner (p. 66)Robert Kalb (p. 58)Roswitha Natter (p. 93)Stefan Steurer (p. 73)

Damüls-Faschina Tourismus (p. 20)Egg Tourismusverein (p. 21)Hittisau Tourismus (p. 16/25)Krumbach Tourismus (p. 101)Lingenau Gemeinde (p. 26/31/64)Riefensberg Tourismus (p. 82)Warth-Schröcken Tourismus (p. 6)

Private collection (p. 80)Almhotel Hochhäderich (p. 53)Bregenzer Festspiele (p. 79)Golfpark Management GmbH (p. 50)VKW (p. 70)

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at Skisprunglegenden beim FliegenfischenGolf im BregenzerwaldVorarlbergs größte SchafzuchtKulthäuschen: BUS:STOP KrumbachEine neue Art von DorferlebniswegenMundArt: Die besten Wirteso

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Brigitte und Thomas Gmeiner betreiben die größte Schafzucht in Vorarlberg

bwmag012_so15_umschlag_ok.indd 1 10.12.2014 14:27:02

1contents

land & lives .................................. 2The Bregenzerwald 2For your orientation 4Living space 6Bregenzerwald Guest Card 8Cable cars 9Swimming pools 10

hiking ........................................... 11Things to know 12Panoramic routes 14Alp paths 18Summit tours 22Water routes 24Cultural tours 27Hiking with dogs 32

active summer ............................ 33Mountain biking & cycling 34Mountain biking 35Cycling 38Running trails 40 Mountain- and watersport 41 Climbing 43Archery 44 Paragliding 45Fishing grounds 46Bregenzerwald Golf Park 50

family tips ................................... 51Rambling with the pram 52Kids’ programme 56Dairy farming up close 61 Day trip tips – Around Lake Constance 62

barrier free ............................... 63Barrier-free rambling 64Barrier-free viewing experience 66

culture ......................................... 67Architecture 68“Bregenzerwald Umgang” – 12 village walks 71 bus:stop Krumbach 72 Experiencing energy 73 Bregenzerwald Werkraum 74Everyday culture 76Schubertiade Schwarzenberg 78Bregenz Festival 79Exhibitions & museums 81Cabaret & culture 84

dining out ................................... 87Bregenzerwald culinary delights region 88KäseStrasse 90BERGGUT – good things from the Bregenzerwald 91Culinary hikes 92Exceptional specialties 93Feasting in the Bregenzerwald 96

well-being ................................... 97Health hotels 98Wellness hotels 99Water and Moor 101 Care products 102

Vorarlberg ....................................... 103How to reach Vorarlberg, Public buses and taxis ................ 104

2

To start with, let us introduce you to the Bregenzerwald. Around 30,000 people live here, in 22 villages in total. The Bregenzerwald locals – “Wälder” as they are known – are confident, independent people, proud of their roots yet receptive to new things too.

You will notice the successful, courageous blend of the traditional and the modern when you look at the architecture and experience the craftsmanship. Both disciplines are closely interwoven, and are a symbol of that which the locals of the Bregenzerwald are experts in: appreciation of art, of beauty, the creation of pleasure, both well thought-out and practical. This interplay is both visible and perceptible in many places.

SensitiveMany of the hotels, guest houses and farms combine the old with the new, or have been completely rebuilt with sensitivity in recent years. Wood plays an essential part in all this. In the well-tended inns and restaurants, the chefs are masters of pepping up regional specialities, making them into magnificent creations. Most of the produce used comes from local farms. They are all small farms, and are managed carefully and imaginatively by families. The best-known Bregenzer wald speciality is cheese, especially the tasty alpine cheese. The informative stations and delight ful events of the KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald impart impressions of cheese culture.

the bregenzerwald

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Inspired For a rural region, the cultural calen-dar in the Bregenzerwald is anything but provincial! The major festival in the region is the Schubertiade Schwarzenberg. Many guests com-bine visits to the Bregenz Festival – known for its spectacular opera performances on the lake stage – with holidays in the Bregenzerwald.

Soothing The Bregenzerwald landscapes are balsam for the eye – and the soul. A shapely combination of gently undulating hills, expansive plate aux, romantic river valleys and impressive peaks – ideal for active people and lovers of nature. The farmers are largely responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the cultivated landscape. Typical of the Bregenzerwald is the three-layer cultivation of the fields: (valley – mountain pasture – high mountain pasture).

InformativeThis brochure is your companion on your journey of discovery through the Bregenzerwald. It contains numerous addresses – from sights and day-trip destinations – and a multitude of tips for stimulating leisure activities: from selected thematic hiking paths through to outdoor and family- orientated programmes, right through to pampering wellness days offered by some of the hotels. We also inform you about the highlights awaiting you in our cultural calendar, the special features of our architecture and craftsmanship, and share with you interesting facts about culinary delights and the Bregenzerwald cheese culture.

the bregenzerwald

Klausberg mountain pasture, Schwarzenberg

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Braunarlspitze2649 m

Karhorn2416 m

WARTH1495 m

Saloberkopf

KörberseeHochtannberg1676 m

SCHRÖCKEN1260 m

SCHOPPERNAU860 m

Hochkünzelspitze2397 m

Kanisfluh2044 m

Zitterklapfen2403 m

AU800 m

SCHNEPFAU734 m

BIZAU681 m

BEZAU650 m

REUTHE650 m

MELLAU688 m

Sonderdach1208 m

Hochälpelekopf1463 m

Hoher Freschen2004 m

Mittagsspitze2095 m

Wildgunten1705 m

Faschina1486 m

DAMÜLS1431 m

Glatthorn2134m

Portlahorn2010 m

FeldkirchBasel (CH)

Zürich (CH)St. Gallen (CH)

DORNBIRN475 m

SCHWARZACH438 m

Bildstein760 m

LAUTERACH

WOLFURT412 m

BREGENZ400 m

Pfänder1062 m

Kennelbach

Pfänder-tunnel

Buch725 m

ALBERSCHWENDE721 m

MÜSELBACH585 m

Brüggelekopf1182 m

ANDELSBUCH613 m BERSBUCH

612 m

SCHWARZENBERG700 mDresslerberg

EGG564 m

LANGEN657 m

LANGENEGG695 m

LINGENAU687 m

GROSSDORF662 m

Baumgarten1620 m

Hirschberg1834 m

Niedere1711 m

Winterstaude1877 m

SCHETTEREGG1066 m

DOREN709 m

Diedamskopf2090 m

Widderstein2533 m

Hoher Ifen2230 m

A l l g ä u e r A l p e n

SIBRATSGFÄLL929 m

HITTISAU790 m

KRUMBACH733 m

RIEFENSBERG781 m

Aach (D)

Balderschwang (D)

Hochhäderich1566 m

Hochlitten971 m

Thal598 m

Hirschberg1095 m

Scheidegg

Hohenweiler

BÖDELE1139 m

SULZBERG1015 m

Karren976 m

Staufen1465 m

Damüls

Lech

HÖCHSTRhein

Bregenzerache

B o d e n s e e

Fluh730 m

Lochau

LechtalInnsbruck

Reutte

Oberreute (D)

Koyen1300 m

DornbirnSüdDornbirn

Nord

LindauFriedrichshafenMünchenUlmStuttgart(D)

Oberstaufen (D)

RagazerBlanken2051 m

Hochblanken2068 m

Zafernhorn2107 m

Roßstelle1391 m

Uga1850 m

Mohnenfluh2544 m

Au

Tannerberg

St. Gallen(CH)

Lech

Schönenbach1025 m

for your orientation

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Braunarlspitze2649 m

Karhorn2416 m

WARTH1495 m

Saloberkopf

KörberseeHochtannberg1676 m

SCHRÖCKEN1260 m

SCHOPPERNAU860 m

Hochkünzelspitze2397 m

Kanisfluh2044 m

Zitterklapfen2403 m

AU800 m

SCHNEPFAU734 m

BIZAU681 m

BEZAU650 m

REUTHE650 m

MELLAU688 m

Sonderdach1208 m

Hochälpelekopf1463 m

Hoher Freschen2004 m

Mittagsspitze2095 m

Wildgunten1705 m

Faschina1486 m

DAMÜLS1431 m

Glatthorn2134m

Portlahorn2010 m

FeldkirchBasel (CH)

Zürich (CH)St. Gallen (CH)

DORNBIRN475 m

SCHWARZACH438 m

Bildstein760 m

LAUTERACH

WOLFURT412 m

BREGENZ400 m

Pfänder1062 m

Kennelbach

Pfänder-tunnel

Buch725 m

ALBERSCHWENDE721 m

MÜSELBACH585 m

Brüggelekopf1182 m

ANDELSBUCH613 m BERSBUCH

612 m

SCHWARZENBERG700 mDresslerberg

EGG564 m

LANGEN657 m

LANGENEGG695 m

LINGENAU687 m

GROSSDORF662 m

Baumgarten1620 m

Hirschberg1834 m

Niedere1711 m

Winterstaude1877 m

SCHETTEREGG1066 m

DOREN709 m

Diedamskopf2090 m

Widderstein2533 m

Hoher Ifen2230 m

A l l g ä u e r A l p e n

SIBRATSGFÄLL929 m

HITTISAU790 m

KRUMBACH733 m

RIEFENSBERG781 m

Aach (D)

Balderschwang (D)

Hochhäderich1566 m

Hochlitten971 m

Thal598 m

Hirschberg1095 m

Scheidegg

Hohenweiler

BÖDELE1139 m

SULZBERG1015 m

Karren976 m

Staufen1465 m

Damüls

Lech

HÖCHSTRhein

Bregenzerache

B o d e n s e e

Fluh730 m

Lochau

LechtalInnsbruck

Reutte

Oberreute (D)

Koyen1300 m

DornbirnSüdDornbirn

Nord

LindauFriedrichshafenMünchenUlmStuttgart(D)

Oberstaufen (D)

RagazerBlanken2051 m

Hochblanken2068 m

Zafernhorn2107 m

Roßstelle1391 m

Uga1850 m

Mohnenfluh2544 m

Au

Tannerberg

St. Gallen(CH)

Lech

Schönenbach1025 m

for your orientation

* Due to the construction of the new Mellau cable car, Mellau cable cars won’t be operating during summer 2015.

*

6 living space

Travelling the Bregenzerwald always means having to overcome dizzy heights to start with: from Bregenz you take the Pfänder, from the Rhine Valley the valley side which ascends 500 m, from the north you take the Sulzbergstock, from the east the Ried-berg or Hochtannberg pass, from the south the Furkajoch or Faschinajoch.

Up and over is the way to go – the most impressive views are from the north and the west – and a space is revealed which, in all its diversity, is completely different to all that surrounds it, with the Bregenzerache uniting it all. Your route takes you through gorges and flat hollows – wide between the hills of the foothills of the Alps around Alberschwende and Lingenau, narrow between the mountains of the foothills of the Alps around Andelsbuch and Bezau, squeezed in between the alpine peaks of the Kanisfluh, Diedams-kopf, Zitterklapfen and Widderstein around Schnepfau, Au, Schoppernau, Warth and Schröcken. This correlates with the division into the Vorder-wald, Mittelwald and Hinterwald (front, central and rear regions of the Bregenzerwald) – a topographical

spectrum which, right at the start of tourism, had travellers extolling the “charming landscape” as an “enclosed park” whilst at the same time shudder-ing at the “Siberian exile” on the wild, upper course of the Ache. A valley area of contrasts, borders, crossings.

Crossings Cross-border experiences also leave their mark on the locals – they know how to set themselves apart from outside. Yet the scarce rural areas have never been sufficient to feed the population. The locals had to get moving, cross borders, leave behind their homes and families. This took on many different forms: the nomadic existence of alpine animal husbandry (home, mountain pasture, alp → page 88), or in the form of seasonal migrant work, outbound commuting or even emigration (to America in the 19th century in particular). Flexibility, ideas and self-help were essential to stave off poverty. The area was only sparsely populated for a long time: only plot names give rise to assumptions about the border between Celtic and Rhaeto-Romanic cultures. It was not until

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the High Middle Ages that Mehrerau Monastery in Bregenz encouraged the population of the area upwards of the Bregenzerache. From above, com-ing the opposite direction, you come across a second wave of population with the Walsers. The particle “Wald” (forest, wood) found in many of the names of places makes it clear how undeveloped this settlement area was for a long time. Naturally, the locals gladly take advantage of this remote-ness: interesting as a hunting ground at best for the feudal rulers, extensive autonomy was allowed to develop which went down in literature as a “peasants’ republic”. It ended with the brief Bavarian occupation (1806 – 1814) as a result of the realignment of Europe by Napoleon.

Hard cheese and lace It was during this time that the region developed in the form you see today. Rational, mercantile methods gained importance in agriculture, desertedness became characteristic of the Vorderwald to the Mittelwald, production of hard cheese grew (alpine dairy → page 82) to such a sustainable extent that the first dairy

farm school in the Habsburg Empire was established. The new rulers were the cheese barons who amassed staggering wealth with the products of the new form of agriculture, and textile manufacturers who supplied material produced by the textiles home industry (decoration and taste → page 77) before the railway provided factories in the Rhine valley with workers after 1902. Such changes were also accompanied by resist-ance – Franz Michael Felder, author and spokesman of the revolt, is still considered an exceptional character (Franz Michael Felder Museum → page 83) in the valley today, and which is why one’s own house and home are tenaciously clung to. New sources of income have to be continuously developed – the multitude of manual skills is proof of this.

This culture has succeeded in main-taining its vitality. Innovation and flexibility based on the acquired con-tinue today in initiatives such as the werkraum (→ page 74) and have turned the Bregenzerwald into a model Euro-pean region.

Widderstein

8 bregenzerwald guest card

B regenze ra ch

B o d e n s e e

Alberschwende

Andelsbuch

Au

Bizau

Damüls

Doren

Egg

Hittisau

KrumbachLangenegg

Lingenau

Mellau

Reuthe

Riefensberg

Schnepfau

Schoppernau

Schröcken

SchwarzenbergSibratsgfäll

Sulzberg

Warth

Bezau

DornbirnCH

Bregenz

Lindau

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FontanellaSonntag

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There is lots to discover in the Bregenzer wald mountains. Rambling and hiking paths take you to the loveliest spots, and tell stories. Events are held. The Bregenzerwald Guest Card is your “ticket” to these moun-tain experiences. The Bregenzerwald Guest Card is available to all visitors who spend at least three nights in the Bregenzerwald, and is included in the accommodation price.

validity1 May to 31 October 2015

issuing officesBregenzerwald Tourismus, from all cable car operators and tourist offices in the partner municipalities.

Includes the followingpublic buses “The Bregenzerwald rural bus” as far as Bregenz and Dornbirn (except the town bus), Lech, Raggal and Fontanella/ Sonntag

cable carsMore information (→ page 9)

swimming poolsMore information (→ page 10)

You are also entitled to numerous reductions from our partners.

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1 Brüggelekopf AlberschwendeOpening times: 10 May – 26 October: Sunday, public holidays; 6 July – 14 September: dailyOperating times: Sunday and public holidays: 10 a.m. – 12.15 p.m. and 1 – 4.30 p.m.; Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m., 1 and 4 p.m. Hiking tip: circular hike with a view of three countries

No carriage of mountain bikesT +43 (0)5579 4323www.lift.alberschwende.net

2 Andelsbuch cable carsOpening times: 1 May – 11 October: daily in the event of good hiking weatherOperating times: 9 a.m. – noon and 1 – 4.45 p.m.; No lunch break on Saturday, Sunday, public holidays and during July and August Hiking tip: Niedere (→ page 14)

No carriage of mountain bikesT +43 (0)5512 2540www.bergbahnen-andelsbuch.at

3 Bezau cable car Opening times: through to 2 November; 7 – 22 November: Saturday and SundayOperating times: every half hour between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; 7 – 22 November: 9 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. at 20 and 50 min. past the hour, with-out a break if required Tip: barrier-free viewing experience (→ page 66)Culinary tip: culinary hike (→ page 92

Carriage of mountain bikes as far as Sonderdach middle sta-tion, € 2 per bike

T +43 (0)5514 2254www.seilbahn-bezau.at

4 Diedamskopf cable carsOpening times: 23 May – 11 October: daily;17 – 18 October, 24 – 26 OctoberOperating times: 8.45 a.m. – 4.15 p.m. Family tip: Didi’s kids’ adventure land (→ page 57)Tip: Barrier-free viewing experience (→ page 66)BERGGUT culinary tip: Diedams-kopf panorama restaurant (→ page 91)Sunset trips Every Thursday from 18 June – 8 Oct. between 6 and 10.30 p.m. Mountain breakfast23 June – 6 October: Every Tuesday July and August: Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 to 11 a.m. (first journey at 8 a.m.)

Carriage of mountain bikes as far as middle station, € 3 per bike

T +43 (0)5515 4110-0www.diedamskopf.at

5 Damüls cable cars Opening times: 23 – 25 May, 30 – 31 May, 4 – 7 June, 13 June – 11 October: daily;17 – 18, 24 – 26 October: in the event of good hiking weatherOperating times: 9 a.m. – 12.35 p.m. and 1.30 – 4.30 p.m.; continuous operation on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays Hiking tip: around the Walser settlement (→ page 20)BERGGUT culinary tip: Elsenalp-stube mountain inn (→ page 91)

Carriage of mountain bikes as far as Uga-Express mountain station, see tariff notice for price

T +43 (0)5510 600www.seilbahnendamuels.at

10 cable cars & swimming pools

6 Steffisalp-ExpressOpening times: 4 July – 11 October: daily in the event of good hiking weather17 – 18, 24 – 26 October: in the event of good hiking weatherOperating times: 9 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 – 4 p.m. Climbing tip: Karhorn via ferrata (→ page 43)Culture tip: “uf m Tannberg” alpine museum (→ page 83)BERGGUT culinary tip: “Hochalp” hiking hut (→ page 91)

No carriage of mountain bikesT +43 (0)5583 3601-0www.warth-schroecken.at

7 Sonntag cable cars Opening times: 9 – 10, 14 – 17, 23 – 25, 30 – 31 May,4 June – 11 October: daily;17 – 18, 24 – 26 OctoberOperating times: 8.45 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.Hiking tip: Stein sound room – the artisti-cally designed path to the echo wall. Family tip: barbecue with clay oven

Carriage of mountain bikes as far as mountain station (return), free of charge

T +43 (0)5554 5281www.sonntagstein.at

8 Faschina cable cars Opening times: 23 – 25, 30 – 31 May, 4 – 7, 13 – 14 June;20 June – 6 September: daily;12 – 13, 19 – 20, 26 – 27 September, 3 – 4 October: in the event of good hiking weatherOperating times: 9 a.m. – noon and 1 – 4 p.m.Hiking tip: Faschina floral and hiking nature trail

Swimming pools The swimming pools are open between late May and early September, depending on the weather.

10 Hittisau family swimming pool 9.30 a.m. – 7.30 p.m. 11 Egg swimming pool 9 a.m. – 7.30 p.m.12 Schwarzenberg swimming pool 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.13 Bezau swimming pool 9 a.m. – 7.30 p.m.14 Mellau swimming pool 9.30 a.m. – 7 p.m. 15 Au swimming pool 9.30 a.m. – 7.30 p.m.16 Schoppernau forest pool 9.30 a.m. – 7 p.m.

informationBregenzerwald TourismusT +43 (0)5512 2365www.bregenzerwald.at

Family tip: summer tubing course Carriage of mountain bikes in both sections, free of charge

T +43 (0)5510 705www.seilbahnen-faschina.at

9 Bergbahnen MellauDue to the construction of the new Mellau cable car, Mellau cable cars won’t be operating during summer 2015.Further information is available from www.damuels-mellau.at

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Hiking and rambling are the best ways to discover the beauties and mysteries of the Bregenzerwald. Miles of clearly and uniformly sign-posted paths take you to alpine pastures where cheese is made, across historical wooden bridges, to magnificent vantage points, to herb gardens.

hiking

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Uniformly signposted paths and hiking maps make it easier to find your way around the mountains. Practical: the ramble and hiking packages offered by Bregenzerwald Tourismus.

Bregenzerwald hiking map All hiking routes and important information to do with cable cars, huts and alpine inns are enclosed in the hiking map. The hiking map is available from Bregenzerwald Tourismus, in tourist offices and in hotels.

Signposting of the hiking paths All hiking paths are clearly and uniformly signposted according to the Vorarlberg hiking path concept. The hiking paths are divided into three degrees of difficulty:

Walking or rambling paths: Easy

Mountain hiking paths: Non-slip footwear suitable for wearing in the mountains is recommended

Steep alpine trail: Suitable only for those with mountain experi-ence, who are sure-footed and have no fear of heights

Hiking dealsYou can book selected hiking deals directly from Bregenzerwald Touris-mus. For more information, see the Bregenzer wald Travel Magazine and www.bregenzerwald.at/uk

Hiking paths on the InternetNumerous hiking tips and routes can be found at: www.bregenzerwald.at/tourenkarte

things to know

“Wanderbuch Bregenzerwald”by R. Berchtel, published by Tyrolia Verlag (in German only)

recommended reading

Hikers on Sattelegg alp in Au

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For your safety

things to know

• The correct equipment is a central safety factor: mountain or hiking boots, good outdoor clothing worn in layers, a functional top to change in to, sunglasses and sun cream.

• Don’t embark upon a tour on your own. Always inform others about your tour.

• Only set off into the mountains if you are in good physical condition.

• Take (hot) drinks and a snack with you.

• Set off in good time so that you are back when it is still light. It gets dark relatively early in the autumn, for example.

• Check the weather forecast before you set off. Stay in the valley if it is misty. Should the weather deterio-rate, return to the valley.

• Take orientation aids with you: a hiking map, perhaps an altimeter.

• Stick to signposted paths.• Applies particularly to tours in the

high mountains: take with you a bivouac sack, a head light, mobile phone and First Aid kit.

Action in the event of an emergency1. Move the injured person from

the source of danger (rockfall, further fall)

2. Check the vital functions 3. Use your mobile to call the emer-

gency services: • 144 alpine emergencies, Vorarlberg • 112 European emergency number,

from all networks: switch off your mobile phone, switch back on. Instead of your PIN, dial »112«

4. Administer First Aid

Respect your boundariesForests, fields, rivers and lakes offer precious space for leisure and relaxa-tion activities. Forests in particular have an important protective function. The Vorarlberg state government’s “Wohnge-meinschaft Natur” initiative to encour-age living in harmony with nature offers locals and visitors information about how to deal respectfully with nature. It is in with this in mind that we also appeal to you to respect preservation and conservation areas. The most important recommendations are that you stay on

Alpine hike on the Hohe Künzelspitze

signposted paths and keep the coun-tryside clean.

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Andelsbuch – float like a butterfly Andelsbuch’s very own mountain – the “Niedere” – is known not only for its magnificent view from Lake Constance as far as the Swiss moun-tains: paragliders also appreciate its fantastic thermal currents. When the weather is good, you can see them floating like bright butterflies around the mountain and across the valley.

starting pointAndelsbuch mountain station cable car destinationAndelsbuch mountain station cable car itinerarymountain station cable car (1,530 m) – panoramic circular route (Baumgartnerhöhe – Niedere Höhe, 1,711 m – Niedere mountain inn) – mountain station cable carchances to stop off for a drink/foodNiedere mountain inn, Baumgarten panorama restaurant

Difference in altitude: 180 m Trail category: white-red-whiteTotal hiking time: 1 ½ hours

Opening times of the cable cars T +43 (0)5512 2540

panoramic routes

The Niedere with a view of the Vorderwald

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Sulzberg – protected by St Lawrence The gentle panoramic hike at an altitude of over 1,000 m takes you along the nature trail into the gently undulating hills of the Upper Bregenzer wald. The return journey is taken in good, pleasantly cool forest air. The church on the village square, renovated in 1828/29 by Alois Negrelli, the planner of the Suez Canal, is worth a visit. The church, constructed in Empire style, is dedicated to St Lawrence, the patron saint of pub landlords, cooks and brewers.

starting pointSulzberg centre of towndestinationSulzberg centre of townitinerarySulzberg centre of town (1,013 m) – Hochsträß (1,025 m) nature trail –Sulzberg forest pathchances to stop off for a drink/foodHochsträßstüble ramblers’ café, inns in Sulzberg

Difference in altitude: 15 mTrail category: yellow-whiteTotal hiking time: 1 ½ hours

panoramic routes

Sulzberg with its Empire-style church

16 panoramic routes

starting pointHittisau-Reute destinationHittisau-Reute itineraryHochhäderich (via Streichbrunnen-alpe and Lochalpe) – Leckenholz alpen – Reutechances to stop off for a drink/foodHochhäderich mountain inn, Gasthof Alpenrose (Reute)

Difference in altitude: 735 mTrail category: white-red-whiteTotal hiking time: approx. 3 ¼ hours

informationwww.naturpark-nagelfluhkette.at

Hittisau – along the Nagelfluh rock face on HochhäderichHochhäderich offers a magnifi-cent view to the north as far as the Allgäu and, to the south, to the Bregenzerwald. You pass large rock faces made up of Nagelfluh rock which are very distinct here. In 2008, 15 towns and villages in the border area of Allgäu and Vorderwald estab-lished the “Nagelfluhkette National Park” which covers an area of around 400 km².

Nagelfluhkette National Park

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panoramic routes

starting pointBerghof Fetz, BödeledestinationBerghof Fetz, Bödeleitineraryvia Bödele Passhöhe – Oberer Geiß-kopf – Bergvorsäß – Breitentobel Alp – Lorena Pass – short detour towards Maien to Klopfbrunnen (spring) – return to the fork at Lorena Pass – Unterer Geißkopf – Oberer Geißkopf – Bödele Passhöhechances to stop off for a drink/foodBerghof Fetz, Frohe Aussicht

Difference in altitude: 390 mTrail category: yellow-whiteTotal hiking time: 2 hours

Schwarzenberg – “Legend” walk Legend says the blessed siblings Merbod, Diedo and Ilga were born into the line of the 11th century Counts of Bregenz. The siblings devoted their lives to prayer. Weeping, Ilga said her final farewell to her brothers on Lorena. As her tears fell to earth, a spring appeared. Another appeared on Berghalde, after Ilga spilled some water near her hermitage. The spring’s water is still thought to have healing properties – those afflicted with eye diseases in particular make pilgrimages to the spring to sprinkle their eyes with the water.

Älpele, toward Lustenauer Hütte

18 alp paths

starting pointcar park Schönenbach destinationcar park Schönenbachitinerarycar park Schönenbach – Schönenbachvorsäß (1,020 m) – Unterspitzalpe – Almisguntenalpe – Stoggerten nalpe (1,500 m) – Ostergunten alpe – direction Kretzbodenalpe to Hänslervorsäß – car parkchances to stop off for a drink/foodEgender inn and alps (during the alp season from mid/late June through to mid-September)

Difference in altitude: 530 mTrail category: white-red-whiteTotal hiking time: 3 ½ hours

Bezau – from the loveliest mountain pasture to the alp Schönebach is only inhabited from June to September, and is one of the loveliest mountain pasture settle-ments in Vorarlberg. The village is located on a plateau between the Hirschberg and the Diedams-kopf, home to a meandering brook. The ramble takes you to the Almisgunten alpe, which lies isolated in a col beneath the Diedamskopf. Just before the newly built Stogger-tenn alpine hut, you arrive at the highest point on the ramble. The path along the Osterguntenbach takes you down to the car park.

Mountain pasture settlement, Schönenbach

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Hittisau – the village with most alps The Lecknertal is located in Hittisau, the village with the most alps in Austria. A toll road takes you to the hiking car park. The route takes you along the sunny slope of the Hoch-häderich-Hochgrat mountain range up to the Rohnehöhe (at 1,639 m). It is worth taking a short detour to the nearby Lecknersee. Along this mountain hiking path – whose 660 m difference in altitude makes it hard-going – are six alps, four of which are where milk is processed there and then.

starting pointcar park Lecknertaldestinationcar park Lecknertalitinerarycar park Lecknertal (980 m) – Juliansplattealpe – Schwarzenberger Plattealpe – Plattentischalpe – Rohnehöhe (1,639 m) – Rohnealpe – Glockenplattealpe – car parkchances to stop off for a drink/foodalps (during the alp season from mid/late June through to mid- September), Höfle inn

Difference in altitude: 660 mTrail category: white-red-whiteTotal hiking time: 4 ½ hours

alp paths

Lecknersee in Lecknertal

20 alp paths

starting pointDamüls-mountain station Uga-Express destinationDamüls centre or valley station Uga Expressitinerarymountain station Uga-Express (1,800 m) – Ugaalpe – Hochblanken (2,068 m) – Ragazer Blanken (2,051 m) – Sünser Joch – Oberdamülser Alpe – Damüls (1,430 m)chances to stop off for a drink/foodmountain inn Elsenalpstube, mountain inn Ugaalpe, Oberdamülser alpe ( during the alp season from early July to late September), inns in Damüls

Difference in altitude: 700 mTrail category: white-red-whiteTotal hiking time: 4 ½ hours

Opening times of the cable carsT +43 (0)5510 600

Damüls – around the Wals settlement At an altitude of over 1,800 m, the Damüls circular tour starts with two peak crossings. After walking for about 1 ¼ hours, you reach the Hochblanken and then follow the mountain ridge at an altitude of almost 2,000 m for about 45 minutes until you reach the peak of the Raga-zer Blanken. From here, the descent commences: via the Sünser pass as far as the Oberdamüls alp and on to Damüls. The mountain church in Damüls, with its exceptional fresco wall-painting depicting the Biblia pauperum dating back to 1484, is well worth a visit.

The mountain church in Damüls

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alp paths

starting pointcar park Schettereggdestinationcar park SchettereggitinerarySchetteregg (1,066 m) – Eggatsberg – Hammeratsberg – Alp Untere Falz – Alp Obere Falz (1,217 m) – Brongen Alp – Schetteregg chances to stop off for a drink/foodAlp Untere Falz, Alp Obere Falz, Brongen Alp, Gasthof Jokler, Gasthof Schetteregger Hof

Difference in altitude: 236 mTrail category: yellow-whiteTotal hiking time: approx. 2 hours

Egg – Falzalpen circuit walk The route leads from the ski and hiking district of Schetteregg into the mountain pasture districts of Eggatsberg and Hammeratsberg, where one can see many traditional Bregenzerwald-style mountain pasture cabins. A little later, one arrives at the Alp Untere Falz, which offers a fine view of the mountains to the south, Bullerschkopf and Winterstaude. The trail leads up to the Alp Obere Falz, continues over the Alp Brongen and back to the starting point at Schetteregg. There is active farming in the alps from June through mid-September.

Alp Obere Falz

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Au – climbing up to the Zitterklapfen The Zitterklapfen is one of the most beautiful mountain peaks in the Bregenzerwald, with an impres-sive panorama. At the end of the idyllic Dürrenbachtal, the rocky massif arises. The first section takes you along a windy agricultural path in the forest up as far as the Annalperaualpe. It is here that the mountain hiking path commences. The final section in the rock to the peak demands that climbers be sure-footed and not afraid of heights. The length and the difference in alti-tude make this into a very arduous mountain tour!

starting pointAu-tourist office destinationAu-tourist office itineraryAu-Argenau (tourist office 810 m) –Bodenvorsäß – Annalperaualpe –Zitterklapfen (2,403 m) – return to Au via the same way chances to stop off for a drink/foodInns in Au, Bergkristall hut (at Bodenvorsäß)

Difference in altitude: 1,600 mTrail category: white-blue-whiteTotal hiking time: 9 ½ hours

summit tours

Ascent to Zitterklapfen

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summit tours

starting pointSchröcken-centre of towndestinationSchröcken-centre of town itinerarySchröcken-centre of town (1,250 m) – Fellealpe – Fürggele – Braunarlspitze (2,649 m) – Butzensee – Jägersteig – Schröckenchances to stop off for a drink/foodinns in Schröcken

Difference in altitude: 1,400 mTrail category: white-blue-whiteTotal hiking time: approx. 8 ½ hours

Schröcken – up to the highest point The Braunarlspitze is the highest mountain in the Bregenzerwald. An agricultural path leads from Schröcken to the Fellealpe. This is the start of the mountain hiking path to the Fürggele, a pass to the Große Walsertal. From here, the alpine trail (which demands that hikers be sure-footed and not afraid of heights) takes you through the rocky part up to the peak, continues to the idyllic Butzensee and, via the Jägersteig, back to the Fellealpe. From here, you take the same path back to Schröcken.

Braunarlspitze

24 water routes

starting pointAu parish church destinationAu parish church itineraryAu-Jaghausen (parish church, 791 m) – Auer Ried (1,050 m) nature trail (via Argenbachtal) – Jaghausen parish churchchances to stop off for a drink/foodinns in Au

Difference in altitude: 260 mTrail category: white-red-whiteTotal hiking time: 2 ½ hours

A detailed brochure is available at the tourist office.

Au – delicate plants and wooden huts The path leads you from the Argen gorge into the Auer Ried nature reserve. The power of water, geology, nature conservation, ancient culti-vated landscapes and the mighty Kanisfluh provide the subjects and the stations of the hike for those interested in nature. Over 50 rare species of plant thrive in the Auer Ried. Watercourses, gallery forests and damp biotopes run through the humid rough pastures and upland hay meadows with their numerous characteristic old hay huts.

Auer Ried with the Kanisfluh in the background

Literary hikeThe volume of poems by Birgit Rietzler invites you to a literary hike through Auer Ried: “Berberitzen” puts in words the externally visible and the inter-nally perceptible. Available in the tourist information offices in Au and Schoppernau.

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water routes

consciously experience it. Due to the various options for joining and leav-ing the hike, the hike has different lengths.

starting pointHittisau-centre of town destinationHittisau-centre of town itineraryVillage square (792 m) – swimming pool –(Kommabrücke) – Hecht-brücke – Engenlochschlucht – Bartenstein water-operated saw-mill – Alpenrose inn – Steg – Rain – village square chances to stop off for a drink/foodInns on the square, swimming pool kiosk (in the summer, good weather only), Alpenrose inn (closed on Tuesdays)

Difference in altitude: 60 mTrail category: yellow-white, white-red-whiteTotal hiking time: 2 – 2 ½ hours

Detailed directions are available from the tourist office.

Hittisau – across bridges, through the gorge At the end of the Ice Age, a lake emerged at the foot of the Hoch-häderich. The Bolgenach carved its path out of the cliffs which formed the “dam wall” of the lake. And so the Komma gorge arose. For almost 300 years, the Komma bridge has been crossing the river and the gorge at a height of 15 m: this bridge is the oldest covered bridge in the province. The water hiking path follows the Bolgenach, over the suspension bridge into the wild yet romantic Engenlochschlucht. On this hike, you not only learn about the importance of water, you also

Komma bridge in Hittisau

26 water routes

Lingenau – when water turns to stones The calc-tufa in Lingenau is one of the most unique calc-tufa formations north of the Alps, making it one of the outstanding geological phenom-ena in Vorarlberg. The water flows in small flumes over rocks as far as the riverbed of the Subersach, forming canopies and sinter curtains. Five information boards describe the geology and vegetation of this spec-tacle of nature. The nature trail takes you mainly across a passable gravel path with wooden bridges and steps.

starting pointLingenau swimming pool car park destinationLingenau swimming pool car park itineraryLingenau swimming pool car park (680 m) – calc-tufa nature trail (610 m) – Rain – St. Anna chapel – car park swimming pool chances to stop off for a drink/foodinns in Lingenau

Difference in altitude: 70 mTrail category: white-red-whiteTotal hiking time: 1 ½ hours

Detailed directions are available from the tourist office. The wooden bridges can be slippery when wet.

Calc-tufa area in Lingenau

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Warth-Schröcken – on the trail of the Walsers The villages of Lech, Schröcken and Warth are typical Walser settlements. In the 14th century, the Tannberg area was populated by the Walsers, who came from the West Swiss canton of Valais. In cultivating the alpine terrain, these pioneers developed a first-rate, fascinat-ing cultivated landscape. Robust benches point out the stations along the trail. A book is available which describes the objects that tell the history of the Walser settlers on the Tannberg.

starting pointSchröcken parish churchdestinationWarthitinerarySchröcken – Alpe Felle – Auenfeld – Körbersee – Hochtannbergpass – the old salt road to Warthchances to stop off for a drink/foodHotel Körbersee, inns in Schröcken and Warth

Difference in altitude: 450 m Trail category: yellow-white Total hiking time: 4 hours

Opening times of the cable carsT +43 (0)5583 3601-0

Detailed documentation in the form of a book is available from the tour-ist offices in Lech, Schröcken and Warth. www.tannberg.info

cultural tours

Tannberg bench at Schöneberg

28 cultural tours

starting pointAu/Rehmen church destinationAu/Rehmen church itineraryLong tour:Au/Rehmen church – Berbigen moun-tain pasture – Upper Sattel alpe – Liegstein – Alpe Sattelegg – Wika – Holand – Au/Rehmen churchShort tour:Au/Rehmen church – Berbigen mountain pasture – Wika – Au/ Rehmen church chances to stop off for a drink/foodinns in Au, Alpe Sattelegg (from mid-June to early September)

Difference in altitude: approx. 750 m long tour,approx. 350 m short tourTrail category: white-red-whiteTotal hiking time: long tour approx. 6 hours,short tour approx. 2 hours.

A detailed brochure is availablefrom the tourist offices in Au and Schoppernau.

Hay landscape in Au

Au-Schoppernau – “Alpgang”Insights into farming in the Bregenzerwald are afforded by the 14 stations on the “Alpgang” thematic trail. For economical reasons and in order to maintain the mountain’s sensitive nature, farmers in the Bregenzerwald have been farming their fields in several stages for hun-dreds of years: in the early summer, Alpine dairymen and their cows leave the valley and head for the mountain. They spend the summer on the high mountain pasture, and return to the mountain pasture in the autumn, and finally back to the valley. Texts on life in the alps and the cultivated landscape are to be found in stones.

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cultural tours

Bizau – Goßarweag (“Goatherd’s path”)Goatherding was an essential part of daily life in Bizau for many centu-ries. The hike is reminiscent of this cultural heritage, is enlightening from both a historic and natural landscape point of view, as well as being a scenic delight. Five stations for touching, seeing, listening, feel-ing, guessing and climbing are an attraction for children. There are several options for joining/leaving the hike along the Goßarweag via existing hiking paths and back into the village.

starting pointBizau village centre (village hall)destinationBizau village centre (village hall)itineraryBizau village centre (village hall, 681 m) – Unterdorf towards Sättele – Oberberg – Stein – Hilkat – Langenalp Return route either via Schönen-bacherstraße or back to Bizau via Hilkat.chances to stop off for a drink/foodTaube inn, Hotel Schwanen, Ediths Caférest and playBenches and play stations along the Goßarweag, playground on the Oberberg

Difference in altitude: approx. 190 mTrail category: white-red-whiteTotal hiking time: long tour approx. 3 hours, short tour approx. 1 hour,

Goßarweag (“Goatherd’s path”) in Bizau

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and oral traditions. Continue along the forest trail to the Tranquillity Portal with its barefoot spiral made from natural materials. A wooden swing and comfortable wooden loung-ers invite you to rest and relax a while. The cool hiking path through the for-est, which follows the white-red-white signposts through the lovely marsh-land and flora, offers the chance to hike further downwards towards the mouth of the Weissach. From the old station, the trail takes you back along the road into the centre. chances to stop off for a drink/foodinns in Langenegg

Difference in altitude: 230 mTrail category: white-red-whiteTotal hiking time: 3 hours

informationTourist office LangeneggT +43 (0)5513 4101-14www.langenegg.at

Langenegg – energy hike For years, the village of Langenegg has been involved in sustainability, and the protection of energy and the climate. In 2010, Langenegg was awarded the European Village Renewal prize. The various “energy portal paths” make energy compre-hensible, and hands-on. The hike starts at the village hall. Through the red portals, it takes visitors to the sundial, and through the Wind and Water Portal with its energy works. At the Hotel Krone, the trail crosses the country road and continues to the Mythical Portal: modelled on a small coliseum, the spot in the forest offers sufficient space for delivering myths

Barefoot spiral in Langenegg

cultural tours

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cultural tours

Lingenau – Rotenberg wood thematic trail Rotenberg wood is the property of 170 owners – one of the smallest structured forests in Austria. The thematic trail comprises 20 stations, a forest room, an upland moor, and a natural arena of Nagelfluh. Forest path, root path, woodland path, mud pits and stone steps follow one another.

starting point Lingenau village square destination Lingenau village square itinerary Long tour: 19 stations with forest room, Nagelfluh arena and Brugg-moos as the highlights Short tour: 12 stationschances to stop off for a drink/foodinns in Lingenau

Difference in altitude: approx. 270 m long tour,approx. 230 m short tourTrail category: white-red-whiteTotal hiking time: long tour approx. 3 ½ hours,short tour approx. 2 hours.

A detailed brochure is availablefrom the tourist office in Lingenau.

Rotenberg wood thematic trail

32 hiking with dogs

Out and about with your dogcommunitiesDogs must be kept on a leash in the entire area: Andelsbuch, Au, Bezau, Damüls, Krumbach, Langenegg, Rie-fensberg, Schoppernau, SibratsgfällDogs must be kept on a leash in certain areas: Hittisau Dogs do not need to be kept on a leash: Alberschwende, Bizau, Doren, Egg, Lingenau, Mellau, Reuthe, Schnepfau, Schwarzenberg, Sulzberg, Schröcken, Warth

public busesDogs must be muzzled and on a leash. A fare is payable for the dog.

cable cars (→ page 9)Dogs are welcome: Bergbahnen Andelsbuch, Damüls, Seilbahnen Faschina, Steffisalp-Express WarthDogs – only wearing a muzzle and on a leash: Seilbahn Bezau, Diedams-kopf, Seilbahnen Sonntag (€ 3)Dogs are not welcome: Brüggelekopf Alberschwende

Man and his best friend can benefit from taking a hike together. Both see, experience and learn new things. Especially when guided by an expert.

Trainers Christoph Rüscher and Erwin Kohler have long since “gone to the dogs”, literally! They are also hiking guides, mountain rescuers, agility and companion dog examin-ers. Together, they offer Hiking tours in the heart of the Bregenzerwald mountains, since hiking in the mountains with your own dog can intensify the relationship between man and his dog.

EventsGuided hikes, crossing of the Alps, alpine trekking, Adventure hikes, communication courses, a special type of dog school, kennels

informationLexlupoT +43 (0)5515 2311www.lexlupo.com

Out and about with dogs

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There are only a few regions where you can try out and perfect so many different types of sports. Outdoor specialists accompany you to ensure your safety when you go mountain biking, raft-ing, paragliding, caving, canyoning and climbing.

active summer

34 mountain biking & cycling

Detailed descriptions of the tours are enclosed in the mountain bike map of Bregenzerwald (available from Bregenzerwald Tourismus, in the tourist information offices and in some sports shops).

tip: mountain bike map

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4: berchtoldshöheDistance: 20.5 kmDifference in altitude: 700 mHighest point: 1,154 mStarting point: Andelsbuch

5: weissfluh tourDistance: 21.4 kmDifference in altitude: 795 mHighest point: 1,367 mStarting point: Bezau

6: mellental tourDistance: 17.8 kmDifference in altitude: 700 mHighest point: 1,325 mStarting point: Mellau

7: tannberg tourDistance: 15.5 kmDifference in altitude: 650 mHighest point: 1,792 mStarting point: Schröcken

8: brüggele-kaltenbrunnenDistance: 11.3 kmDifference in altitude: 405 mHighest point: 1,090 mStarting point: Alberschwende

The Bregenzerwald is still something of an inside tip for mountain bikers: The wide range of easy and highly demanding tours is exceptional. Many of the trails follow the tracks of the locals’ way of life: to moun-tain pastures and high mountain pastures, the home of the delicious Bregenzerwald alpine cheese. The following describes 15 recommended tours for beginners, the advanced and professionals.

Mountain bike tours for beginners 1: hochhäderich tourDistance: 21.2 kmDifference in altitude: 790 mHighest point: 1,520 mStarting point: Hittisau

2: schetteregg tourDistance: 20.2 kmDifference in altitude: 580 mHighest point: 1,080 mStarting point: Egg

3: balderschwang tourDistance: 24.5 kmDifference in altitude: 700 mHighest point: 1,434 mStarting point: Sibratsgfäll

Mountain bike tour in the Kanisfluh area

mountain biking

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Mountain bike tours for the advanced

9: around the mittagsfluhDistance: 28.3 kmDifference in altitude: 900 mHighest point: 1,440 mStarting point: Bizau

10: schetteregg-schreiberesattelDistance: 38.3 kmDifference in altitude: 1,330 mHighest point: 1,526 mStarting point: Andelsbuch

11: schönenbach-schreiberesattelDistance: 31.5 kmDifference in altitude: 1,200 mHighest point: 1,526 mStarting point: Bezau

12: around the winterstaudeDistance: 42.8 kmDifference in altitude: 1,050 mHighest point: 1,080 mStarting point: Egg

13: around the kanisfluhDistance: 33.1 kmDifference in altitude: 1,200 mHighest point: 1,610 mStarting point: MellauInformation: construction site next to Mellau cable car (lorries passing on the forest path during the week)

14: damüls tourDistance: 33.8 kmDifference in altitude: 1,300 mHighest point: 1,800 mStarting point: Au

Mountain bike tour for professionals 15: diedamskopf- neuhornbach hausDistance: 25 kmDifference in altitude: 1,370 mHighest point: 2,020 mStarting point: Schoppernau

Safety advice Mountain bike routes take you through terrain which requires a great deal of responsibility from the biker. Our recommendations for cor-rect conduct in the mountains: • Responsible cycling at controlled

speeds and at reduced visibility, especially in bends, since obstacles must be reckoned with at all times!

• Hikers and pedestrians have right of way. Considerate overtaking is done at a walking pace.

• Agriculture and forestry have right of way on the usable paths. Please always close gates behind you and respect any temporarily closed paths.

• Do not leave the planned, sign-posted paths. This helps preserve natural and wild habitats (→ page 13).

• Good planning of a tour takes into consideration the degree of dif-ficulty of the route and the cyclist’s ability. This also includes helmet, protective equipment and a techni-cally perfect mountain bike.

Mountain bike carriage on the cable cars (→ page 9).

Package deals on offerMake your selection from our package deals for mountain bikers. www.bregenzerwald.at/uk

mountain biking

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Cycling technique training Mountain bike and racing bike toursBike School & Guiding – BregenzerwaldT +43 (0)660 14 29 645www.die-bike-schule.atservices12 guided mountain bike tours (pleasure riders, sport riders, fun riders), 3x cycling technique training sessions per week (Mon, Wed, Fri) at various levels in the Bike Park, Bike Camps, Simplon Testcenter

“bike guide bregenzerwald”Georg Felder, Karlheinz Kaufmann, Veronika Kaufmann, Werner Geiger www.bikeguide-bregenzerwald.atservicesGuided mountain bike and racing bike tours, cycling technique training

Outdoor Input for LifeLutz Schmelzinger T +43 (0)676 7837878www.outdoorinput.comservices Half or full-day tours from the gen-tle “sightseeing” category through to the demanding freeride tour, E-mountain bike adventure days with individual cycling technique training and realisation

Alpinschule WiddersteinChristian FritzT +43 (0)660 2149207www.alpinschulewidderstein.comservices Transalp, downhill, road bike tours, guided mountain bike tours from easy to difficult, technique training

Damüls Faschina TourismusKarl Heinz BischofT +43 (0)664 5189929Andreas ErathT +43 (0)664 4182858servicesGuided half- and full-day tours, racing bike tours

Hittisau tourist information officeT +43 (0) 5513 6209-50www.hittisau.at servicesGuided mountain bike tour for slightly advanced cyclists every Tues-day at 9.30 a.m. between June and September, 2–3 hours,register by 5 p.m. on Monday at Hit-tisau tourist information office

mountain biking

Andelsbuch bike courseAndelsbuch TourismusT +43 (0)5512 2565www.andelsbuch.at/tourismusoffersOn the mountain bike course at Gasthof Ritter, mountain bikers learn how to improve their technique. The course is suitable for both beginners and advanced cyclists.

Au-Schoppernau bike course Au-Schoppernau TourismusT +43 (0)5515 2288www.au-schoppernau.atoffersPump track, practice area, North Shore elements, curve section, etc.The perfect place for improving your mountain bike technique!

tip: bike courses

38 cycling

Out and about on the Bregenzerwald cycle path

Most of the villages in the Bregenzerwald are located on expansive valley floors, making them ideal terrain for journeys of discovery by bicycle. Rented bikes are available at various locations.

Tried and tested in several towns – and now also possible in the Bregenzer wald: in Egg, Andelsbuch, Bezau, Mellau, Schnepfau, Au and Schoppernau, there are rental points where you can easily rent a bike with basket for up to 24 hours. You simply return the bike to any rental point you like.

rental pointsEgg (Impulszentrum), Andelsbuch (Cable car, Bersbuch Wälderbähnle station), Bezau (swimming pool, secondary school and Bezau cable car), Mellau (village hall), Schnepfau (school), Au (village hall, Rehmen church), Schoppernau (village hall, valley station, Diedamskopf) Price: € 1 per hour € 5 for 24 hours

informationwww.anrufen-losfahren.com

tipp: e-bike rentals

Sport Fuchs, Au www.sportfuchs.com T +43 (0)5515 2315mani sport, Damüls www.mani-sport.at T +43 (0)699 12 10 96 30Village hall Krumbach www.krumbach.at T +43 (0)5513 8157Intersport Spettel, Hittisau and Alberschwende www.spettel.at T +43 (0)5513 6341Sport Gotthard, Hittisau www.sport-gotthard.com T +43 (0)5513 2260Sport Broger, Mellau www.sportbroger.at T +43 (0)5518 2240Elektro Vögel, Sulzberg www.elektrovoegel.at T +43 (0)664 41 22 295

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Rohrmoostal cycle path The scenic cycle tour leaves the church in Sibratsgfäll in the direc-tion of Rindberg. The road is car-free from the national border. The tour takes you past the impressive Gottes-ackerwände as far as the nature reserve. The less fit amongst the cyclists can push their bicycles up the 800-metre slope. The next stage of the tour is flat, and takes you to the Aibele alp which is licensed (mid-June to mid-September). 2 km later, you pass the watershed between the North Sea and the Black Sea, and one kilometre on you arrive at the Rohrmoos plot. Here, you can visit Germany’s oldest wooden church. The way back takes you along the same route, but with different views. Cycling time is approx. 2 hours. Total distance (one way): 13 km

Krumbach cycle path From the direction of Langenegg, the cycle path commences from the Glatz plot, and takes you across Salgenreuthe, Au and Halden into the centre of the village. From here, you can continue to Hittisau or Riefensberg. Total distance (one way): 5 km

Egg – Schoppernau cycle path From Egg, the Bregenzerwald cycle path takes you across the former railway line of the Bregenzerwald railway, as far as Andelsbuch reservoir, and continues through Bersbuch. From here, a cycle path runs parallel to the L 200 as far as the start of the village of Reuthe-Baien. Quiet side streets take you to Bezau. There, follow the cycle path along the L 200 as far as Mellau. Then you need to cross the L 200. In Mellau, the cycle path takes you through the village, to the Mellau cable cars, as far as Hirschau, where an underpass goes underneath the L 200. In Schnepfau, go over the bridge, arriving once again at the left bank of the Bregenzerache, where the most scenic cycle path section along the Bregenzerache as far as Au commences. The cycle path follows the Bregenzerache from the start of Au as far as Schoppernau. Taking it easy, you need about 4 hours for the return journey. Total distance (one way): approx. 30 km

Achtal footpath and cycle pathEgg – Doren The track of the Bregenzerwald rail-way between Egg and Doren is being revived. A new footpath and cycle path is opening up the lovely natural landscape of the Bregenzerache. It is with a great deal of consideration that the buildings of the former “Wälderbahn” were renovated, the track repaired and safety features installed.Total distance (one way): approx. 10 km

cycling

40 running trails

Running trails for hobby runners and professional athletes

Running trails in Lingenau Panorama run (moderate, 10.4 km)Varied stretch with a lovely mountain panoramaVillage run (moderate, 7.8 km)Scenic run around Lingenau Camp site run (moderate, 4.4 km)Short run to the camp site Farm run (easy, 2.6 km)Short and very flat run Squirrel run (easy, 2.2 km)Children’s run with amusing activitiesNegrelli run (difficult, 11.1 km)Mountain and valley run, runners need to be sure-footedCalc-tufa run (difficult, 6.8 km)Hilly run, runners need to be sure-footed

informationwww.bregenzerwald.atwww.bezau.at, www.lingenau.at

Hobby runners and professional athletes alike can let off steam on 13 running trails of varying degrees of difficulty – easy, moderate and difficult. Individual trails are also manageable for families with c hildren.

Running trails in Bezau Rock run (difficult, 10.1 km)Trail, runners need to be sure-footed Bezegg run (difficult, 16.7 km)Long, scenic run through four villagesBezau “Dorfachter” (moderate, 9.4 km)Along Bezau’s brooks and the Bregenzerach Bizau marshland (moderate, 9.8 km)Very flat, sunny stretch from Reuthe to BizauHuk-s children’s run (easy, 1.6 km)Kids’ run with great exercises by Huk-s, the mascotShort run around the marshland (easy, 1.9 km)Short, flat run around Bezau marshland

1. Bizau trail run (30,5 km, 1.660 m elevation gain) and Adventure trail run (7,6 km, 340 m elevation gain): Date: 9 May 2015www.svbizau.at

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mountain- & watersport

Damüls forest rope course

Rafting, canoeing, canyoningBungee jumping – 106 metresHIGH 5 outdoor GmbHT +43 (0)5513 4140www.outdoor.at

CanyoningAlpine-Passion, Jürgen RieggerT +43 (0)664 9400515www.alpine-passion.at

Rafting, Canoe tour, fun kayaking,Guided cave tours in the Schnecken-lochhöhle, 3-D archeryoutdoor input for lifeT +43 (0)676 7837878www.outdoorinput.com

Canyoning and adventure programmesHolzschopf.com – outdoor and moreJürgen StrolzT +43 (0)664 3801540www.holzschopf.com

The Bregenzerwald outdoor specialists offer playful and adven-turous activities pertaining to the topic of mountain and water.

Canyoning, climbing and mountain tours, climbing courses (including for families)Widderstein alpine schoolChristian FritzT +43 (0)660 2149207www.alpinschulewidderstein.com

Canyoning, climbing, group programmes / Schröcken alpine school Josef StagglT +43 (0)664 2525200www.alpinschule-schroecken.at

Canyoning, via ferratas, hut hikes, crossing the Kanisfluh“The summit”, Thomas DietrichT +43 (0)664 46 83 999www.der-gipfel.at

Hiking, climbing and mountain tours with Moses / Skiing and mountain guide Markus MoosbruggerT +43 (0)664 3429465www.mitmoses.at

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Damüls forest rope course and Flying Fox slideSix rope courses of various degrees of difficulty are located at heights between 2 and 13 m. There is a special Bambini course for kids aged between 3 and 6. You are secured before you cross the individual courses. You don’t have to be par-ticularly fit. The Flying Fox is the highlight: with its length of 200 m, it connects the valleys of the Bregenz-erwald with the Große Walsertal.information & opening timesBernd Burtscher/Alexander SchäferT +43 (0)664 4147137www.das-seil.at

Schröcken adventure parkA climbing experience above water, in the forest, on a rock face. 42 rope courses, 3 Flying Fox zip lines, Climbing at a height of 3 – 15 m; every Wednesday from 9.30 a.m.: team course for groups and families (approx. 2 hours).information & registrationAlpinschule SchröckenJosef StagglT +43 (0)664 2525200 or +43 (0)664 7575500www.alpinschule-schroecken.atwww.abenteuerpark.net

Aqua rope course Rope course above the water, below the Schwarzenberg climbing garden: abseiling, climbing rock, 6 Flying Fox slides, via ferratas combined with rope course elements. Starting point: Gasthof Ritter, Andelsbuchinformation & opening timesAktivzentrum BregenzerwaldManfred Fink/Lutz SchmelzingerT +43 (0)676 7837878www.aktiv-zentrum.at

CANOE daysThe Bregenzerwald is becoming a hotspot for the kayaking scene and the destination for hundreds of white-water paddlers.Date: 4–7 June 2015www.kanumagazin.de

outdoortrophyOlympic medallists, world champi-ons, European champions, national champions, professionals and amateurs alike come together in Lingenau and battle it out over the outdoortrophy. Supporting programme: “outdoor night” partyDate: 15 August 2015www.outdoortrophy.com

Seven summits tour7 border mountains, approx. 50 kilometres and 4500 metres elevation gain on a single day. Event proceeds benefit the international relief organisation ROKPA.Date: 5 September 2015www.7berge.at

5th Sparkasse Wälderlauf run “Vo Mello bis ge Schoppernou” The Sparkasse Wälderlauf run is approx. 13 km in length, starts in Mellau and follows a cycle and forest path as far as Schoppernau. Over 2,000 professionals and hobby runners as well as fun run-ners and Nordic walkers line up at the various starting blocks of “Mit tau”, “Guat tau” and “Weh tau”. Followed by: runners’ party at the finishing line in Schoppernau. “Mit Herz tau!” – support of a regional social initiative.Date: 20 June 2015www.waelderlauf.at

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Beginner or expert, young or not so young: the Bregenzerwald’s climbing and rope courses offer the perfect training grounds.

Au-Schnepfau climbing garden Degree of difficulty: 3 – 8Lovely sun plateau, charming schratten kalk ledge with several routes

Schwarzenberg climbing garden Length/height: approx. 30 mDegree of difficulty: 3 – 7Climbing is free of charge, at your own risk (route topos, equipment rental at Sport Fink,T +43 (0)5512 2918 Parking spaces: sports field

Widaschrofa via ferratas, Mellau-Schnepfau “Wälder” via ferrataLength/height: start at 760 m / TOP at 850 mDegree of difficulty: DWalking time: approx. 1.5 hoursDifference in altitude: 100 mStarting point/end: Schnepfau car park (eastern edge of the village), walking time to the start, approx. 10 minutes

“Abendrot” via ferrata, Mellau-SchnepfauLength/height: start at 760 m / TOP at 850 mDegree of difficulty: EWalking time: approx. 1.5 hoursDifference in altitude: 100 mStarting point/end: Schnepfau car park (eastern edge of the village), walking time to the start, approx. 10 minutes

Schrofenwies climbing garden in Warth Length/height: 20 mDegree of difficulty: 4 – 9+

climbing

31 secured routes, Via ferrata to practice, children under supervision of a skilled adult, barbeque stationStarting point: the car park Schrofen wies Lechleiten, topo available at the Warth-Schröcken tourist office

Klettergarten Bürstegg (climbing garden) between Lech and WarthLength/height: 20 mDegree of difficulty: 3a – 7+29 secured routesStarting point: 300 m adjacent to “Bürstegg” service road on Haupt-straße in the direction of Warth, left by the automobile bridge, approx. 15 min. through the woods (elev. gain: 200 m), topo available at the Warth-Schröcken and Lech-Zürs tourist offices

Mindelheim via ferrata in Warth Degree of difficulty: medium Walking time: approx. 2 ½ hours to the start – from Warth-LechleitenDifference in altitude: approx. 200 m

Karhorn Warth via ferrata,East and west ridgeLength/height: 1,200 mDegree of difficulty: medium to difficult (B to D) Walking time: 2 – 4 hoursDifference in altitude: 250 mStarting point/end: ascent with the Steffisalp cable car (walking time to the start, approx. 45 min) – Karhorn peak

K1 climbing hall, Dornbirn2,000 m2 indoor climbing area, 400 m2 boulder area, 600 m2 outdoor climbing area, climbing courses, taster courses, competitions, therapy programmes informationwww.k1-dornbirn.at

44 archery

Riefensberg 3-D archery rangeGo back to the days of Robin Hood, be at one with the bow and arrow. Archery is one of the best “stress-free” disciplines there are, and a relaxing supporting programme for seminars, company outings or families.The day fee enables you to cover the course as often as you like. Beginner‘s course on request.Place: close to the border, old Gschliefstraße to RiefensbergRental: upon request, rental equip-ment is available for occasional archers.Opening hours: May – October information & reservationIngrid Fink-Nöckler T +43 (0)664 5323102 oder +43 (0)664 8776333www.kreativbewegen.at

Archery is one of the oldest forms of hunting known to man. In the Bregenzerwald, the main focus is on the fun-and-games aspect of the sport.

Riefensberg archery range

Doren 3-D archery rangeArchery in the wild landscape of the Dorener Gschlief. Its impressive landscape and its geological back-ground make sure that you have a special experience on this range.Rental: Adler innOpening hours: open daily between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. from early April through to the onset of winter. Please reserve.information & reservationOtto Nöckl, T +43 (0)5516 2014Günter Schmuck, T +43 (0)5516 2114www.bogenparcours-doren.at

Aktivzentrum Bregenzerwald Introduction to the art of traditional archery: hunt using a bow and arrow on a 3-D course. Includes the rental of archery equipment.Date: to be arrangedPlace: Andelsbuch, Gasthof Ritterinformation & reservationAktivzentrum BregenzerwaldT +43 (0)676 7837878www.aktiv-zentrum.at

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servicesTraining, further training, sale, consultancy, checks Tandem flight with the Bregenzer-wald Guest Card: € 103.50Tandem flight: € 115Thermal soaring flight (flight time up to 35 minutes): € 135Super thermal soaring flight (flight time over 35 minutes): € 165Action tandem flight: € 140Taster course: from € 90

information Flugschule Bregenzerwald Jodok MoosbruggerT +43 (0)5514 3177T +43 (0)664 5127765 (tandem flightreservation)www.gleitschirmschule.at

The Bregenzerwald flying area ( Niedere close to Bezau-Andelsbuch and Diedamskopf close to Au- Schoppernau) is well-known for its laminar upwind and its pleasant thermal conditions.

Ever since paragliding started, Bregenzerwald flying school has been training pilots in the perfect terrain for it. The high-altitude sites in Andelsbuch, Bezau and on Diedamskopf present a multi-tude of opportunities, launching sites in practically any direction, a fantastic view of Bregenzerwald, its mountains, and the region of Lake Constance.

paragliding

Pleasant thermal conditions enable great flying experiences

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InformationFishing club Mittelbregenzerwald: www.bregenzerach.atFlyfishing Elmenreich: www.elmenreich.comFishing Association for the State of Vorarlberg: www.fischereiverband-vbg.at

fishing grounds

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The Bregenzerwald’s rivers, streams and lakes are ideal fishing grounds. Fly-fishermen also discover lovely fishing grounds. The waters in the Bregenzerwald are classified as the trout region. The main fish here is the brown trout, although the odd rainbow trout and grayling can also be found. Day tickets are available for all the listed fishing grounds: prices range between approx. € 15 and € 35. Precise information about fishing limits, minimum fish lengths, fishing ground boundaries, etc. is available from the appropriate issu-ing offices.

1: bregenzerache from kennelbach to lingenau Season: 1 May to 15 SeptemberFishing club: Bregenz Ticket sales: Tourist offices in Alberschwende, Doren, Egg village hall, Krumbach, Langenegg, Lin-genau, RiefensbergSpecial features: ban on live bait, triple hooks

2: fishing rotachSeason: 1 June to 31 AugustFishing club: Doren T +43 (0)5516 2018Ticket sales: village hall Doren Special features: Fly-rod/spin-rod fishing, only fly fishing, no live baitIssue: locals with their place of residence in Vorarlberg: presentation of a fishing ID or confirmation of a fishing permitGuests: a fishing ticket can be purchased upon presentation of a guest card.

3: weissach 2 Season: 1 May to 15 SeptemberFishing club: BregenzTicket sales: Tourist officesAlberschwende, Doren, Krumbach,Langenegg, Lingenau, RiefensbergSpecial features: Ban on live bait, triple hooks

4: bolgenach 2 (with reservoir)Season: 1 April to 30 SeptemberFishing club: Hittisau T +43 (0)5513 620914Ticket sales: village hall HittisauSpecial features: Only for guests staying at least two nights in Hittisau, Sibratsgfäll, Riefensberg or Balderschwang, upon presentation of the guest card

5: subersach 1 Season: 1 May to 30 September Fishing club: MittelbregenzerwaldTicket sales: Flyfishing Elmenreich, Egg, T +43 (0)664 4146482, village hall Egg, Lingenau, Hittisau and the inn Nussbaumer SibratsgfällSpecial features: exclusively fly-fishing; in the Sibratsgfäll section blinkers with one hook without barb allowed.

6: subersach 2 Season: 1 May to 30 SeptemberFishing club: MittelbregenzerwaldTicket sales: Flyfishing Elmenreich, Egg, T +43 (0)664 4146482Special features: exclusively fly-fishing

fishing grounds

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7: rubach in sibratsgfällSeason: 1 June to 15 SeptemberTicket sales: village hall Sibratsgfäll T +43 (0)5513 2112

8: bregenzerache in eggSeason: 1 May to 31 AugustManaged by: fishing club EggTicket sales: village hall Egg, T +43 (0)5512 2216-12Special features: Fishing allowed with a fishing rod. Only fly-fishing is allowed from the confluence of the Pfisterbach upriver to the upper territorial boundary.Only locals with their place of residence in Egg and guests in Egg bearing a guest card may only purchase a fishing card upon presentation of a fishing permit; minimum age: 18 Issue: max. 4 day tickets per year, per person, and no more than 3 tickets per day

9: bregenzerache from andelsbuch to bezauSeason: 1 May to 30 SeptemberFishing club: MittelbregenzerwaldTicket sales: Flyfishing Elmenreich, Egg, T +43 (0)664 4146482Special features: exclusivelyfly-fishing

10: bezegg stausee andelsbuchSeason: 1 June to 31 OctoberManaged by: T +43 (0)5512 2565Ticket sales: tourist office AndelsbuchSpecial features: ticket sales only with fishing permit, ban on live bait

11: bregenzerache in bezau/ reuthe and schnepfauSeason: 1 May to 30 SeptemberManaged by: fishing club Bezau/ReutheTicket sales: tourist office Bezau

fishing grounds

Fly-fishing in Schönenbach

3 or 7 nights’ accommodation with half-board, half-day introduction, fishing card for 3 or 6 days, Bregenzerwald Guest Card, optional: fly-fishing course (minimum 4 people, maximum 6 people); fishing permits for other fishing grounds Information: www.bregenzerwald.at

tip: fly-fishing package deal

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12: bizauer bach Season: 1 May to 30 SeptemberManaged by: fishing club Bezau/ReutheTicket sales: tourist office Bizau,T +43 (0)5514 2129Special features: only guests in Bizau from 3 nights’accommodation

13: bregenzerache in mellauSeason: 1 May to 30 SeptemberFishing supervisor: Bertram HallerT +43 (0)5518 2875Ticket sales: tourist office Mellau, Hotel Engel, Lara petrol station

14: bregenzerache in schnepfauSeason: April to SeptemberTicket sales: at the village hall – for residents and guests with 3-day min. length of stayT +43 (0)5518 2114

15: bregenzerache/argenbach in auSeason: early May to mid SeptemberFishing club: Au, T +43 (0)5515 2288Ticket sales: tourist office Au, fish pond Au, Hotel Krone in Au

16: krumbach with bregetzbach and argenbach in damülsSeason: 16 June to 30 SeptemberManaged by: village hall Damüls, Hotel Adler, Damüls, T +43 (0)5510 6210Ticket sales: village hall Damüls, Hotel Adler DamülsSpecial features: sold only with guest card/Bregenzerwald Guest Card

17: bregenzerache in schoppernauSeason: mid June to mid SeptemberFishing club: Schoppernau T +43 (0)5515 2495Ticket sales: tourist office Schoppernau

18: bregenzerache in schröckenSeason: May to late SeptemberManaged by: Fischerei Interessenschaft (fishing club)Ticket sales: tourist office Schröcken, T +43 (0)5519 2670Special features: day ticket, fishing permit, Participants are to bring along their own fishing equipment

19: seebachsee – dorfsee warthSeason: end June to late SeptemberFishing club: village Warth T +43 (0)5583 3515Ticket sales: tourist office WarthSpecial features: day ticket, fishing permit, Angelausrüstungist selbst mitzubringen

fishing grounds

Garden inn Felder in Bersbuch At the Felder family in Bersbuch, right next to Bregenzerache, families discover a small idyll for p assing the time, a beer garden and the chance to bathe in natural water. Fresh trout, smoked trout or trout fried in butter served with home-made potato salad are the specialities offered here. Information: Family Felder, T +43 (0)664 9551652

50 bregenzerwald golf park

Golf Park in Riefensberg and the Oberstaufen-Steibis Golf Club. Guests of the founder and partner hotels of the two golf complexes enjoy a reduced green fee. Guests of the Vorarlberg founder and partner hotels also benefit from discounted green fees at the five other golf courses in Vorarlberg.

Bregenzerwald Golfing School Learn how to play golf with head pro Jan Vonavka. The motto according to the latest teaching and learning methodology is: “The simple way to learn golf”. Includes important tips on driving, strategy, tactics and mental training. The golfing permit is also recognised in Germany and Switzerland.

informationGolfpark Bregenzerwald and Golfschule BregenzerwaldT +43 (0)5513 8400-0www.golf-bregenzerwald.com

The internationally renowned architect Kurt Rossknecht designed the first 18-hole golf course in Vorarlberg in its time between Riefensberg and Sulzberg: not only that – it is one of the loveliest golf courses, nestled as it is in the country side.

The undulating landscape and the numerous little inlets to the Weißach have been perfectly inte-grated into the game. Artificial lakes and selectively positioned bunkers complement the natural obstacles. Along with the slopes and slants, the corridors and the impressive view, they make golfing in this park into an experience which never fails to leave a lasting impression.

Discount green fee The “Unlimited golfing fun” green fee entitles the holder to a discount of up to 30%, and applies to two 18-hole courses: the Bregenzerwald

Bregenzerwald Golf Park in Riefensberg-Sulzberg

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Climbing, discovering gorges and caves, learning more about herbs, visiting the cows on the farms, riding the “Wälderbähnle” – there is any amount of things for families and kids to do! Heart-felt supervision included.

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Au-Schoppernau – in the fragrant herb garden The Holdamoos natural experience illustrates 400 years of alp history. A “Vorsäßhütte” – a mountain pasture hut – dating back 400 years and still in its original condition, a suspension bridge, a small lake and a herb garden boasting over 150 dif-ferent herbs lie in the middle of the cultivated, natural landscape. This is a gentle ramble on wide paths along the Bregenzerache and through the settled region of Au.

starting pointAu-tourist officedestinationAu-tourist officeitineraryAu-Argenau (tourist office, 810 m) –Rehmen – direction to Schoppernau via Halde to Holdamoos (890 m) –Lebernau – Lugen – Au centre of townchances to stop off for a drink/foodinns in Au rest & playHazelnut spot, small lake, BBQ station, herb garden, old mountain pasture hut informationAn all-terrain buggy is recommended, since some of the hiking path is a forest road.

Difference in altitude: 90 mTrail category: yellow-whiteTotal hiking time: 2 ½ hours

Detailed directions are available from the tourist office.

Herb garden in Holdamoos, close to Au

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rambling with the pram

Hittisau-Riefensberg – cross-border circular ramble on Hochhäderich This gentle ramble takes you along a wide, secure path right through the Kojental nature reserve, a natural upland moor. The alpine adventure path offers some variety: water-drawing, barefoot trail, footbridge across the upland moor, information plaque on the “Smugglers’ Trail”. From the Alpstüble Moos, you can take a 3-minute detour to the “Stony Gate” natural monument.

starting pointCar park at Almhotel HochhäderichdestinationCar park at Almhotel HochhäderichitineraryAlmhotel car park – towards Hochwi-esalpe – alpine adventure trail – Alpe Moos – Alpe Kojen – Almhotel car park chances to stop off for a drink/foodMoosstüble Riefensberg, Almhotel Hochhäderich rest & playAdventure playground at Almhotel Hochhäderich, alpine adventure trail with barefoot path, water drawing station and other varied stations and information plaques, playground at Alpstüble Moos informationAn all-terrain buggy is recommended, since the hiking path is a forest road.

Difference in altitude: 40 mTrail category: yellow-white and white-red-whiteTotal hiking time: 2 hoursDetailed directions are available from Almhotel Hochhäderich.

Adventure playground next to Almhotel Hochhäderich

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Mellau – hike to the goat pastureThis hike along the Mellenbach stream takes you to Buchen goat pasture, home to around 150 goats, 20 cows and a few alpine pigs during the sum-mer. The Mellau village circular path takes you first of all along the Mellen-bach. Turn left in front of the new fire station, and walk through the Unter-rain plot past the last houses. Stay to the left at the fork, and follow the service route which meanders along the Mellenbach through Mellental. Once you have arrived at Buchen goat pasture, you can still your hunger and quench your thirst over a substantial alpine snack accompanied by a glass of milk.

starting pointMellau-centre of towndestinationMellau-centre of townitineraryMellau village centre (688 m) – Unterrain – Mellental trail – Buchen pasture – Mellental trail – Unter-rain – Mellau village centre chances to stop off for a drink/foodBuchen goat pasturerest & playHüslarbündt playground, swimming pool, bathing in the Mellenbach, vis-iting the goats and cows on Buchen pasture informationAn all-terrain buggy is recommended, since most of the hiking path is a forest road.

Difference in altitude: 172 mTrail category: yellow-whiteTotal hiking time: 2 hours

On the goat pasture

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Warth-Schröcken – from lake to lake The two lakes on the Hochtannberg mountain are your guide on this ramble. The Batzenalpe is a licensed alpine pasture. Here, in the alp museum, you discover what life in earlier times was like. From the Hochtannberg pass, an extended, wide path takes you to the Körber-see, which lies at approximately the same altitude as the Hochtannberg pass. From there, a wide agricultural path takes you downwards across the Batzenalpe to Schröcken.

starting pointSchröcken-HochtannbergpassdestinationSchröcken centre of town itineraryHochtannbergpass (1,675 m) – Kalbelesee – Körbersee (1,670 m) – Batzenalpe – Schröcken centre of town (1,250 m) chances to stop off for a drink/foodHotel Körbersee, Batzenalpe (during the alp season from mid/late June tomid September), inns in Schröckenrest & playShort trip in a rowing boat on the Körbersee, brooks, Batzenalpe informationAn all-terrain buggy is recommended, since the hiking path is a forest road.

Difference in altitude: 450 mTrail category: yellow-whiteTotal hiking time: 2 hours

Opening times AlpmuseumT +43 (0)5519 2670

Kalbelesee at Hochtannberg Pass

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Variety and playful enjoyment are on offer in the form of the supervised programmes held in several villages. There is a great deal of interesting information out there to learn and discover.

Andelsbuch:3-D archery for childrenFollowing professional training and armed with plenty of information about archery, the children set off on the thrilling pursuit (for children from the age of 10, approx. 2 hours)Place: Bersbuch, Andelsbuch Meeting point: Gasthof Ritter, BersbuchDate: May until October, upon requestPrice: family price (3 people) € 115, € 25 for each additional person Includes bow, arm protector, arrows and use of the 3-D archery rangeinformation & registrationOutdoor – input for lifeLutz Schmelzinger+43 (0)676 7837878www.outdoorinput.com

Au-Schoppernau: Hut magic and magic herbs The children listen to stories about the very old mountain pasture hut and, in the herb garden, find out which herbs (medicinal plants) can soothe a bee sting, which can make you strong as an ox, and which ones are delicious on bread. Then you cross the fun wobbly bridge to the mysterious hazelnut spot.Place: Au-SchoppernauMeeting point: church in Au- RehmenDate: 9 July to 3 September every Thursday at 9.30 a.m.Duration: approx. 2 ½ hours Price per child: included in the Bregenzerwald Guest Cardinformation & registrationAu-Schoppernau Tourismus T +43 (0)5515 2288www.au-schoppernau.at

kids’ programme

Watching the farmer at work

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Au-Schoppernau: Experience cattle grazing On the Grunholz cattle pasture, children can watch how the farmer milks and feeds his cows. They can try out the fresh, “cow-temperature” milk straight away. Place: Au-SchoppernauMeeting point: tourist office AuDate: 7 July to 18 Augustevery Tuesday at 6.15 p.m.Duration: approx. 1 ½ hours Price per child: included in the Bregenzerwald Guest Cardinformation Au-Schoppernau Tourismus T +43 (0)5515 2288www.au-schoppernau.at

Au-Schoppernau: Forest experienceShrouded by beeches, pines and firs, kids discover the green kingdom: by means of amusing games, children engage all their senses to discover interesting information about indi-genous forest animals and trees (for children between 5 and 10). Place: Au-Schoppernau Meeting point: valley station of the Diedamskopf cable carsDate: 8 July to 2 September every Wednesday at 2 p.m. Duration: approx. 2 ½ hoursPrice per child: included in the Bregenzerwald Guest Cardinformation & registration the day before: until 4 p.m.Schoppernau TourismusT +43 (0)5515 2495www.au-schoppernau.at

kids’ programme

Au-Schoppernau: Rock climbing for childrenJosef teaches children their first climb-ing moves, how to tie several knots, how to abseil down the rock face and how to climb the via ferrata secured.(3 hours, Minimum age: 6)Place: Au-SchoppernauMeeting point: at the car park of Schröcken-Unterboden adventure parkDate: 2 July to 3 September, every Thursday at 4.30 p.m. Price: € 12 for guest children from Au-Schoppernau. € 24 for children from other places. Included: rented climbing equipment and a knotted rope for the children to take home with them.Equipment required: climbing boots or trainers with treaded sole, full water bottle, snackinformation & registration Schröcken adventure park and alpine schoolT +43 (0)664 7575500 or T +43(0)664 2525200www. au-schoppernau.at

Au-Schoppernau: Didi’s children’s adventure land The mountain station of the Diedams kopf cable car boasts a super-vised children’s adventure land with a surface area of 300 m2.Opening times: 10 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. every Sat, Sun and on bank holidays; daily from early July until early September when the cable car is operating, for children between 3 and 8 years of age. There is a parent-child area for children up to 3 years of age. Free of charge for all children.informationBergbahnen DiedamskopfT +43 (0)5515 4110-0www.diedamskopf.at

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Bezau: The “Wälderbähnle” The “Wälderbähnle” is a carefully maintained nostalgic railway which runs between Bezau and Schwarzen-berg Stations. The railway, pulled by historical diesel or steam engines, runs on weekends between 30 May and 4 October, and also on Thurs-days between 16 July and 27 August. See the website and notice at the train station for special and other trips. Departure: in Bezau, every Saturday and Sunday at 10.45 a.m., 1.45 and 3.45 p.m.; every Thursday in Bezau at 9.45, 11.15 a.m., 1.45 and 3.45 p.m. Journey time: return trip: approx. 1 hourinformation & registrationBregenzerwaldbahnT +43 (0)664 4662330www.waelderbaehnle.at

Damüls: Outside voyage of discovery Children spend the afternoon playfully discovering the outdoors. For children from 6 years of age.Place: DamülsMeeting point: at Damüls tourist office Date: 6 July to 31 August, every Monday between 1 and 5 p.m.Price per child: € 10 / free of charge for guest children from members of BERGaktiv establishmentsinformation & registration by 5 p.m. on the day beforeDamüls – Faschina Tourismus T +43 (0)5510 620

Egg: Alp experience on Brongen alpThe Meusburger family provides participants with insights into alpine cheese production, the animals and daily routine on the alp. Place: Egg – SchettereggMeeting point: Brongen alpDate: every Monday in July and August between 10.30 and approx. 11.30 a.m. Price per person: € 3information & registration The Meusburger familyT +43 (0)664 6304073

kids’ programme

The Wälderbähnle on its way from Andelsbuch-Bersbuch to Bezau

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Egg: Feltwork with children Children make lovely, unique works of art from sheep’s wool, water and soap.Minimum number of participants 4, maximum number of children 8Place: Egg, Natter farm, Pfister 17Date: every Tue from 1.30 to 4.30 p.m.Price per child: € 15 (incl. material)information & registration Marianne Flatz, T +43 (0)664 78 21 379 Herma Natter, T +43 (0)664 32 44 061 www.landhand.org

Hittisau:Grinding Nagelfluh conglomerate rock Nagelfluh conglomerate rock is a real gem. However, it takes a lot of effort for the “Lord’s concrete” to become a true treasure. Under the direction of an expert, children create a genuine amulet out of nagelfluh conglomerate rock. Place: HittisauMeeting point: Ritter-von-Bergmann hall Date: June until September, Fridays between 2 and 4 p.m. Price per child: € 7 including material and supervision information Hittisau tourist information office T +43 (0)5513 6209-50 www.hittisau.at

Hittisau: Children’s programme in the Women’s MuseumCreative programme for children from the age of 5, approx. 2 hoursDate: every Thursday, 16 July until 10 SeptemberPrice per child: € 5 including materialinformationT +43 (0)5513 6209-30www.frauenmuseum.at

Mellau: Children-Climbing and crossing a gorge Hiking guide Hans shows children how to cross a gorge and how to climb safely. For children from 5 years of age (approx. 3 ½ hours)Meeting point: at Mellau tourist office Date: 6 July to 7 September, every Monday at 1 p.m. On bad-weather days: climbing in the mountain rescue hall, meeting point: Mellau tourist information office Price per child: € 3 information & registrationby 10 a.m. on Monday in Mellau tourist information office T +43 (0)5518 2203www.mellau.at

Schwarzenberg: Horse play hourFantasies, sensations, movement and play are on the programme for child-ren between the ages of 4 and 9. Place: SchwarzenbergMeeting point: Berchtold Farm,Stangenach 150Date: June to September, upon request (from 4 children)Price per child: € 12information & registrationYvonne BerchtoldT +43 (0)664 4388422www.farm-berchtold.at

kids’ programme

60 kids’ programme

Sulzberg: Ponies and horsesPony riding Once you have become acquainted with and groomed the ponies, we go to the riding ground. The children are led on various ponies and may also “lead” a pony themselves. Place: SulzbergDate: 8 July to 26 Augustevery Wednesday at 4.30 p.m. Duration: approx. 1 ½ hoursPrice per child: € 10information & registration Barbara BaldaufT +43 (0)664 6327820

Ride in a horse and carriagePlace: SulzbergDate: June to October following booking, every Fr at 6 p.m.information & registrationBaldauf family, T +43 (0)664 9319896

Horse-and-carriage rides pulled by Fresian horses Place: SulzbergDate: March to October, daily following booking, in dry weather onlyPrice: € 45 for up to 4 people, € 5 for each additional person information & registration Silke Blank, T +43 (0)664 4411380

Warth-Schröcken: Mini and Teenie CanyoningAn adventure programme for the whole family. Start the tour by jum-ping into the water! Place: Warth-SchröckenMeeting point: Restaurant Holz-schopf, SchröckenDate: every Tuesday and Thursday (July and August) Price per person “Kids”: € 25Price per person “Teens”: € 35information & registration the day before: Jürgen StrolzT +43 (0)664 3801540www.holzschopf.com

Safety out and about on the rock face – climbing for children

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The family-run dairy operation Molke Metzler in Egg

dairy farming up close

The project NATURHAUTNAH (NATURE HANDS ON) allows visitors to experience up close the world of the farm and everything that comes with it. Tasty treats from the farm and the region, and refreshing fruit whey drinks can be tasted following a guided tour of the Molke Metzler family-run enterprise.

The project NATURHAUTNAH has created a place for energy-efficient and sustainable farming where visi-tors can experience all agricultural processes up close and in person. Visitors can grasp, literally and figuratively, life at the farm and eve-rything that it involves or creates; an experience that inspires an appetite for nature. From the imposing cow pens and the turbulent goat romp-ing house with its visitor gallery, to the small animal cuddling zone, the herb garden, the high-tech cooling and heating system, through to the cheese production, on to whey-based cosmetic processing and the farm shop with its choice range on offer: there is nothing to hide.

Farm visitfor individual visitors, groups, kindergartens and schools

Milk goats and cowswith brunch/cheese buffet andwhey drinks

Alpine dairy schoolMaking cheese – with a focus on smelling, touching and tasting.

Please reserve for all programmes!

information & reservationsMetzler Käse – Molke GmbHBruggan 10256863 EggT +43 (0)5512 3044www.molkeprodukte.at

62 day trip tips – around lake constance

From Vorarlberg, it doesn’t take you long to reach the loveliest day trip destinations for the family in the neighbouring area where three countries meet.

Vorarlberg inatura – nature show in Dornbirn With Science Centre: touch, crawl in, try out, play and experiment. informationT +43 (0)5572 23235-0 www.inatura.at

Boat trip on Lake Constance, Bregenz Sightseeing tours and scheduled trips to numerous destinations on Lake Constance.informationT +43 (0)5574 42868 www.bodenseeschifffahrt.at

Schattenburg in Feldkirch The medieval castle depicts life dur-ing the age of chivalry. informationT +43 (0)5522 71982 www.schattenburg.at

Toy Museum in Wolfurt The loveliest toys from Granny and Grandpa’s time are lovingly presented here. informationT +43 (0)650 5000681 www.spielzeugmuseum-wolfurt.at

SwitzerlandConny-Land amusement parkin Lipperswil (Switzerland)Dolphinaria with sea lions and dolphins, petting zoo, pirate ship. informationT +41 (0)52 7627272 www.connyland.ch

GermanyLake dwelling museum in Unteruhldingen (Germany) The reproduced village on stilts depicts daily life during the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. informationT +49 (0)7556 92890-0www.pfahlbauten.de

Ravensburg theme park inMeckenbeuren (Germany)The world’s biggest playroom!informationT +49 (0)7542 400-0www.spieleland.com

Legoland in Günzburg (Germany) Built from 50 million Lego bricks. informationT +49 (0)180 5700 75701www.legoland.de

Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen (Germany) The history and technology of airships.informationT +49 (0)7541 3801-0 www.zeppelin-museum.de

Skywalk Allgäu – tree-top path in Scheidegg (D)A 540-metre path through the canopy of trees, wobbly bridge and tube slide; adventure playground, barefoot path, barrier-free nature trail informationT +49 (0)8381 8961800www.skywalk-allgaeu.de

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There is a host of things to do in the Bregenzerwald for people with special needs: barrier-free rambling paths and and cable cars.

barrier free

64 barrier-free rambling

Between the village square and the swimming pool: wellness in LingenauLingenau is located in the gently undulating countryside of the Vorderwald. The hospitable village has won the Vorarlberg Horticul-tural Competition several times, and has received awards for being a community whose buildings are suitable for the disabled. Lingenau is also well-known for its barrier-free swimming pool with adjacent hotel. It also offers various wellness treat-ments: from massages through to physiotherapy.

starting & finishing point Lingenau village square (car park) Variant: Vitalhotel Quellengarten (car park)itineraryLingenau village square (685 m) – Gschwend – St. Annakapelle (669 m) – Vitalhotel Quellen-garten – Dörnlesee – village square; signposted as a yellow-white ram-bling path barrier-free refreshments & wcHotel Löwen, Gasthaus Traube, Vitalhotel Quellengartenswimming pool Vitalhotel Quellengarten, LingenauT +43 (0)5513 6461-0www.bregenzerwaldhotels.at

Distance: 3 kmCondition of the path: pavements and roads with little difference in height, all tarmacked

Dörnlesee in Lingenau

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At the foot of the Kanisfluh – from Mellau to Schnepfau The Kanisfluh could easily give rise to the argument whether this, the Bregenzerwald’s most striking mountain, is more impressive on the curved southern side of Au or on the northern face between Mellau and Schnepfau. On our route, the rocks of the northern face tower up to 1,300 meters above the bottom of the valley. If you take a really close look, you can detect a mosaic of completely different natural habitats.

starting & finishing point Mellau cable cars, car park itineraryMellau cable cars (705 m) – Engevorsäß (705 m) – Ach bridge towards Hirschau – Schnepfau (734 m, car park) – return via the same way; signposted for the most part as cycle and hiking paths barrier-free refreshments Mellau cable cars, Herwig’s Imbiss with tables outside barrier-free wc Schnepfau village hall (on workdays)

Distance: 10.4 kmCondition of the path: tarmacked throughout, more or less level for the most part, with differences in height at stream crossings

View of the Kanisfluh, close to Au

barrier-free rambling

66

Taking Bezau cable car for a wonderful view

Two mountains are wheelchair-accessible by cable car, and offer a unique viewing experience.

Diedamskopf Au-Schoppernau The Diedamskopf near Au-Schopper-nau is one of the loveliest penoramic mountains in Bregenzerwald. A trip to the peak is always worthwhile. Two disabled parking spaces are available right at the valley station. The entrance to and exit from the cable car with the wide 8-seater gondola lift is easily accessible by lift. The restaurant in the mountain station and the sun terrace are also accessible by lift, and the WCs pro-vide barrier-free access. (→ page 9)informationBergbahnen Diedamskopf Schoppernau T +43 (0)5515 4110-0www.diedamskopf.at

barrier-free viewing experience

Seilbahn Bezau A new, modern cable car leaves Bezau to Sonderdach and the Baum-garten mountain station, which features a panorama restaurant and viewing terrace. All entrances to the cable car and the restaurant are barrier-free. (→ page 9)informationSeilbahn Bezau T +43 (0)5514 2254 www.seilbahn-bezau.at

Wheelchair-accessible establish-ments in the Bregenzerwald are listed in the Bregenzerwald Accommodation Directory, available from Bregenzerwald Tourismus.

tip: wheelchair-accessible accommodation

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Traditional, classic, modern. Music, the theatre, exhibitions – for a rural region, the events calendar is anything but provincial! The locations are atmospheric, and pleasantly informal. The surrounding countryside gets in on the act.

culture

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If a ranking of the most significant architectural regions in the world were to be drawn up today, Vorarlberg would, without a doubt, be in the top ten. However, this doesn’t just mean the significance of the individual constructions, but also their number and density.

This phenomenon is comparatively new. Whilst it is true that Vorarlberg’s baroque master builders are a fixed feature in specialist literature whenever the Vorarlberg school of architecture or architects are mentioned, they mean the genera-tion born since 1950 which has been influencing the architecture here for about the past 30 years. Without counting the handful of pioneers that preceded them, this amounts to over 60 people: considering the 370,000 inhabitants, this is an amazing number. Such a ratio is only possible in a region where architecture is appreciated, where one in four houses is designed by architects. However, this is the result, rather than the explanation, of a develop-ment. “Construction artists” is what

the players called themselves at the start since, in the face of a vehement conflict with the “establishment” of the building industry and chamber, the title “architect” was refused. According to one of the pioneers, pub-lic appearances, the joining of forces and dialogue were important right from the start. The ideal founded in terms of social policy – social, afford-able, sustainable, regional – promoted the solidarity of a generation that was searching for new life forms and other ways of cultural expression, that was resisting the sell-out of their land, and that found expression in building. The new type of architecture started off in residential buildings – by way of examining already existing build-ings or as a new structure, often for residential groups – and grew into a clear sign of the cultural restoration which soon extended to the economic elite and the public sector. However, as important as this environment was, there are always people who take responsibility, and Eberle, Gnaiger, Dietrich, Kaufmann and Ritsch have long since become international stars with chairs at renowned universities.

architecture

Contemporary architecture

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Landscape and wooden buildings Located somewhat off the beaten track, the Bregenzerwald was part of this development, although in a way of its own. In contrast to the densely populated, industrial and commercial Rhine Valley with its mainly subur-ban structure, landscape, nature and rural craftsmanship culture is of great importance in the Bregenzerwald. Outside of the Bregenzerwald, groups of houses and farms dominate, whereas inside the Bregenzerwald it is the single-ridge house (farmers’ palace and parlour → page 76); outside of the Bregenzerwald it is households which commission the building, whereas inside the Bregenzerwald it is the young crafts-men. The Bregenzerwälder have a greater affinity for craftsmanship in general (werkraum → page 74): for example, it is in the carpentry trade that the Kaufmann family of archi-tects has its roots. While, following the initial years, the formal experiment is in demand outside, the tendency towards stringency and sobriety increases inside. Rural pragmatism and the discipline of construction with timber, which is now state-of-the-

art, appears to be more effective here. Recently, examining the old buildings is also gaining in importance. Above all, however, the new buildings fit in with the surrounding landscape with regard to material, size and propor-tion. Is it this attitude that searches for the typical rather than the unique which guarantees this way of build-ing a wide basis? In any case, good carpentry firms now build residential buildings which architects in other places wouldn’t be capable of building: it is these houses which graze casually in the field like the cattle which are as typical of the region as the farmhouses and the churches.It is hard to list remarkable buildings, since many of them are private resi-dential buildings which are not acces-sible. However, a walk through Hittisau or Schwarzenberg for example, can satisfy your curiosity. The village of Bizau is particularly suitable for such a walk: it boasts residential buildings from all epochs, estates, buildings for industrial, educational and local authority purposes, as well as inns: together, they form an ensemble which was awarded the ArGeAlp prize. (“Bregenzerwald Umgang” → page 71)

architecture

Carpenters at work

70 architecture

Art Nouveau power station During the era of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, Andelsbuch power station, opened in 1908, was one of the biggest, most modern power stations of its time. Although Andelsbuch power station has been continuously renewed, renovated and extended over the decades, it still maintains its unique character. Place: AndelsbuchMeeting point: 10 a.m. at the power station Date: every Thursday (except bank holidays) from 25 June to 27 August 2015Programme: guided tourPrice: freeRegistration: not necessaryinformationwww.andelsbuch.at

Architecture in Sulzberg Sulzberg and the part of the village known as Thal to the north of the Bregenzerwald are home to several architectural gems: from the Empire-style church, designed by Alois Negrelli, planner of the Suez Canal, through to the “1740 Ichs” (1740 Mes) installation of hair locks which adorns the new village hall. Two new circular paths now lead you to 21 selected buildings and works of art, planned in the most part by renowned architects. As an accompaniment, the “Journeys to Architecture” brochure tells interest-ing stories. Guided tours with Mayor Helmut Blank are held on certain dates in the summer. informationwww.sulzberg.atDates for groups by appointment

In Andelsbuch power station

“Baukunst in Vorarlberg seit 1980” (Architecture in Vorarlberg since 1980), a guide to 260 build-ings worth visiting, written by Otto Kapfinger (in German only)

recommended reading:

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“bregenzerwald umgang” – 12 village walks

Information column of the “Bregenzerwald Umgang”

The way people in the Bregenzerwald deal with their environment is the subject of specially marked paths through the villages of the region. Take these paths and, by observing selected objects, experience how people here have shaped their lives, and continue to shape them.

“Bregenzerwald Umgang” – 12 village walksThe “Bregenzerwald Umgang” walks communicate the villages’ typical visual style through the ages. They can be discovered in the landscape, on houses, public buildings and commercial buildings as well as on everyday objects. Each of the “Umgang Bregenzerwald” walks takes you between 1.5 and 4 hours. The 12 Bregenzerwald villages – Au, Schoppernau, Mellau, Bizau, Bezau-Reuthe, Andelsbuch, Schwarzenberg, Egg, Lingenau, Langenegg, Hittisau and Krumbach – will reveal completely new aspects. On each walk, around 10 informa-tion columns draw attention to a building, to the special features of the cultural landscape, to artisanal or ecological details, to facets of artistic,

culinary or touristic works. Details of the objects are described in an accompanying folder. Furthermore, a book on the subject containing the background histories to the way of life in the Bregenzer-wald is available. The information media are available from any one of the tourist information offices and from Bregenzerwald Tourismus.

„Bregenzerwald Umgang“Facts and figures: The towns and villages: Schoppernau, Au, Mellau, Bezau, Bizau, Reuthe, Egg, Schwarzen-berg, Andelsbuch, Lingenau, Langenegg, Krumbach, Hittisau104 information columns12 walks through 13 placesInformation media: folder, companion bookOpening: spring 2015 informationwww.bregenzerwald.at

72 bus:stop krumbach

Bränden bus stop, Sou Fujimoto, Japan

Architects from seven different countries are designing seven different bus stops in Krumbach: small buildings for the good of the public. However, this is only one aspect of a courageous project. The other is an unusual dialogue with Vorarlberg tradition, building culture and craftsmanship.

Krumbach is well-known for its scenic beauty (→ page 101) and a lively pub culture. In recent years, the village has made a name of itself with its multi-award-winning architecture. Most recently with the bus:stop krumbach project: in cooperation with the Architektur-zentrum Wien and the Vorarlberg Architektur Institut, seven architectural firms from Russia, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Japan, China and Chile were invited to design seven bus stops. In close cooperation with local craftsmen and regional partner architects, seven bus stops were built in 2014 – as a tribute to the use of traditional materials, skilled manufacturing techniques and the landscape. And to that which

continues to characterise the region: the interplay of man and nature, of tradition and the modern age, of craftsmanship and building culture. Bränden bus stopSou Fujimoto, JapanUnterkrumbach Süd bus stopArchitecten de Vylder Vinck Taillieu, BelgiumUnterkrumbach Nord bus stopEnsamble Studio, SpainZwing bus stopSmiljan Radic, ChileOberkrumbach bus stopAlexander Brodsky, RussiaKressbad bus stopRintalaEggertsson Architects, NorwayGlatzegg bus stop Wang Shu, Ly Wenyu, Chinainformationwww.kulturkrumbach.at

Architecture prize:Awarding of the State Prize for Architecture 2014, ViennaIconic Award “Architect’s Client of the Year”, Munich

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experiencing energy

Energy portals in Langenegg

The Vorderwald “Energy Region” has an ambitious vision: energy auton-omy. A key component in its efforts is that people become more sensitive to energy issues and more aware both of their energy consumption and of the sources of the energy they use.

Experiencing energy Under the motto “Energy in agricu-lture”, interested hikers in the Vor-derwald Energy Region can explore various forms of energy, either on their own or as part of a guided tour.The Hittisau Water Trail leads you, for instance, to the energy of water – which can be quiet, refreshing, bubbly, but also roaring and even overwhelming. The trail leads from the Bolgenach reservoir to the Bar-tenstein sawmill, which is operated with a water wheel for display pur-poses. (→ page 25)On a circuit trail on Rotenberg, walkers can enjoy and learn about the woodland, which is so impor-tant for Vorderwald as a source of construction material and energy. From the special forms of agriculture found in Plenterwald to the local tree varieties, particularly the silver fir, to

the harvesting of firewood, the region has a wealth of experiences to offer. (→ page 31)Vorderwald’s moors provide an opportunity for an entirely different kind of experience: preserving of the moors means preserving huge stores of CO2 – so the green-house gas remains bound up in the soil and is not released into the atmosphere. Expert moor guides reveal the secrets concealed in Krumbach’s moors. Moving around in nature is a form of energy consumption – yet it is also a source of energy for the spirit. (→ page 101) The Langenegg Energy Portal guides you to various places, where you can experience the spiritual side of energy and more. (→ page 30)

The new excursion guide for the energy region of vorderwald con-tains over 20 tips. Available from the eight towns which make up the energy region of Vorderwald, at Bregenzerwald Tourismus and in the Energieinstitut Vorarlberg.www.energieregion-vorderwald.at

tip: excursion guide

74 bregenzerwald werkraum

The culture of building and living is everywhere you look in the Bregenzer-wald. The locals have been apprecia-ting the artisan production methods employed in small and medium-sized enterprises since way back when. Reli-ability, sound finishing and a good design mean that craftsmanship and trade are the largest employers in the Bregenzerwald. Around 40% of the working population are employed in such enterprises. Nowhere else in Europe will you find such a comparable density of workshops. The baroque churches and monasteries created by the representatives of the Au Guild of Master Builders in earlier times, are works of art-historical significance. Today it is the craftsmanship, with its beautifully designed and practical products, that has made a name for itself beyond the region.

A house dedicated to craftsmanship After four years of intensive planning, the Werkraum Haus in Andelsbuch opened its doors in July 2013. The architect of the house is Peter Zumthor, from Switzerland – an internationally renowned archi-

tect with close ties to craftsman-ship. His design for the Werkraum Haus is based on two ideas: on the one hand, the building serves as a meeting place. On the other hand, it is a large showcase for the culture of craftsmanship in the Bregenzer-wald. This idea finds expression in a protruding roof made from wood and a façade made from glass. There is no distinction between inside and outside – the landscape flows through the building. The craftsman community in Andelsbuch has been given a facelift right in the middle of the village.

Werkraum Haus in Andelsbuch

Handwerk & Form 2015: The Handwerk+Form competition, held every three years for over 20 years now, shows the public how experts from all areas of design cooperate with craftsmen from the Bregenz-erwald in order to develop useful objects which do justice to their material and shape.9 October (opening), 10 – 11 and 15 – 18 October

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bregenzerwald werkraum

Bregenzerwald WerkraumSince its establishment in 1999, the Bregenzerwald Werkraum, organised as an association, has been providing a platform for innovative craftsman-ship in the Bregenzerwald. It currently comprises 85 innovative firms, mainly involved in wood processing, such as joiners and carpenters, but there is also a handful of locksmiths, stonemasons, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians, lighting producers, painters, upholsterers, tailors and cobblers, through to coopers and felt-workers.

Qualities of craftsmanshipWork on site, consideration of special cases, direct commissioning, close-ness to customers and flexibility are quality standards of this craftsman-ship; specialised skills and a creative instinct are par for the course, acquired in a highly developed culture of craftsmanship, naturally handed down from generation to gen-eration. This store of knowledge and skills is maintained and continually extended: raw materials – such as the silver fir – are cultivated to their most exquisite form, small batches in the field of furniture construction open up new markets, the pre-production of construction elements, e.g. in the field of hotel construction, is making progress. The latest manufacturing technologies such as CAM and CNC have been introduced; the finish of coatings, for instance, has been expanded – craftsmanship meets engineering. Hence, it comes as no surprise that you can find kitchens from Hittisau in Athens, that the fur-nishings of a hall of residence in Mas-sachusetts come from Schwarzenberg or that, in 2008, a living unit from Reuthe was visible on the roof of the

MoMA in New York. Public relations work, advertising, marketing – the Wer-kraum uses those advantages which industry has over trade. Yet without a huge budget: instead, it has capital typical to craftsmen – brains and skills, a network, links. And so exhibitions put on by the Werkraum have been presented to an interested public in Vienna, Munich and Paris, for example. A regular topic in the specialist press, the Werkraum has been described as a “landscape of knowledge”. Yet that is not all: the Werkraum has always been involved at local level, such as in training, in schools, in specific construction projects, in dealing with historical building stock. It is a contri-bution towards the structural change of the region, and an example of social competence.

Werkraum Haus in AndelsbuchThe Werkraum Haus is a platform for exhibitions and information regarding the culture of craftsman-ship.Services: exhibitions, presentation of products by the Werkraum mem-bers, communication of the work of the member firms, sale of craft products, industry and commerce, training and seminars, workshops for children, children’s building site opening timesTue – Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.Guided tour: every Thursday at 5 p.m. in July and August (except public holidays)admission fee per person: € 5information & registrationWerkraum, T +43 (0)5512 26386www.werkraum.at

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Anyone who allows himself the pleasure of watching cheese being made here – such as in Schoppernau alpine dairy – can understand how close the ties are between rural activities and everyday culture.

Alpine dairy The introduction of hard cheese making in the middle of the 18th century not only opened up new sources of income, it also changed the farmers. Initial failures are evidence of how much sweat and tears went into complying with the hygiene standards, into working out the complex production stages and the precise time standards. The alpine dairyman (hard cheese and lace → page 7) became a highly- reputable skilled worker with extensive expertise whose circumstances demanded him to be what we these days call somewhat interdisciplinary. For Franz Michael Felder, the poet from Schoppernau, he is “a jack-of-all-trades: shoe mender, vet, launderer, carpenter, tailor, philosopher and much more”. A century earlier, the valley com-

munity had already proven that its people knew how to help themselves in the face of adversity: in the form of the Au Guild, a new branch of industry was created from nothing: architecture and the building trade. What: from nothing? Even though the background to this movement is unknown, one thing is for sure: it was born from necessity, and the resulting talent shown by the farmers of helping themselves. And the architects’ contribution? Artistic talent (→ page 82) practiced for centuries.

Farmers’ palace and parlourHowever, none of the large buildings actually stand in the Bregenzerwald itself: they are constructed “ outside”: “inside” keeps house, tries to increase affluence and displays it with a reserved pride. When, in the early 19th century, agriculture started to prosper – especially in the Vorder- and Mittelwald – new farmhouses were built which were soon known as farmers’ palaces and which, according to the relevant literature, were amongst the most

everyday culture

The cheese-makers cast a critical eye

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magnificent in the whole of the alpine region. The log cabin was shingled, windows and doors were finely decorated in line with the Biedermeier period: more than anything else, however, people treated themselves to a panelled parlour, nice and bright thanks to large windows, cosy thanks to the tiled stove and special pieces of furniture. The sofa was one such piece: around the middle of the century, manufacture of this piece exploded, only to dwindle in a few decades: usually manufactured in the evening at home by “laymen”, today they are popular collector’s items (werkraum → page 74). The stoves, too, were special: the artistic tiles came mainly from local potters whose trade flourished during this century.

Decoration and Taste And then there were the covers and textiles: textile processing – first of all weaving, followed from around 1760 by embroidery and lace-making for manufacturers from St. Gallen – soon proved so lucrative that farming was sometimes neglected: a repeated upturn was experienced from 1865 following the introduction of the “Parisian machine”. This can still be felt today: there is something missing in a Bregenzerwald parlour without the white, finely crocheted net curtains.

As a rule, these skills are practiced at home, with the individual members committed to the family. One is surrounded by one’s own craftsman-ship. This is also true of the cloth-ing. The local costume stands out amongst all those from the alpine region: ornate, strict, proud – the “Juppe” is the first thing you notice. A four metre-long black piece of cloth is folded into numerous pleats, smoothed in several stages – this is the skirt. It is decorated only with one bright blue band. Then there are the half a dozen different pieces of head-gear. The artistically embroidered blouse, which is a good indicator of social standing, is not the end of the magic. Inspired by fashion worn by 18th century courtiers in Spain, the costume still demands poise of the wearer today.

The magic becomes even more physical when it comes to cooking and eating (→ from page 87). What-ever is produced by the soil and the garden is cultivated: the cheese from the largest silo-free dairy region, for example, is unique. And you can taste the meaning of refinement when you compare local cheese “knöpfle” with cheese “spätzle” from other regions. It is hardly surprising then that the Bregenzerwald has, by far, the most “chef’s hats” (culinary distinction) of all regions far and wide. Or that here, where one in three is employed as a craftsman, this refined everyday culture is a fixed source of income.

everyday culture

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The Schubertiade Schwarzenberg is considered the most important Schubert festival in the world. The music of Schubert and his contem-poraries harmonises with the rural atmosphere in this choice, lovely village – for an atmospheric effect.

20 – 28 June and 22 August – 30 August 2015The programme boasts around 50 events: chamber concerts, song recital evenings, piano concerts, readings and master class courses. Every year, exceptional artists and ensembles make a guest appear-ance in the Angelika Kauffmann Hall, which affords a view of the meadows and mountains. Special Schubertiade buses depart from many villages in the Bregenzerwald to take visitors to the concerts in Schwarzenberg.

information & ticket saleSchubertiade GmbHT +43 (0)5576 72091www.schubertiade.at

Bregenzerwald Tourismus has compiled attractive deals for visitors to the Schubertiade (hotel + 3 tickets per person). information & arrangements &room reservations Bregenzerwald Tourismus GmbHImpulszentrum 1135, 6863 EggT +43 (0)5512 2365F +43 (0)5512 3010www.bregenzerwald.at/uk

schubertiade schwarzenberg

Musicians on their way to the Schubertiade concert

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Visit the Bregenz Festival, and stay in the Bregenzerwald: this is easily combined, since it is a mere half to one-hour drive from the Bregenzer-wald to Bregenz.

24 July – 23 August 2015The Bregenz Festival is presenting “Turandot” by Giacomo Puccini on the largest lake stage in the world in 2015.Chinese design features, mighty choir scenes and characters over-come by their emotions set the tone for this work. The riddle scene becomes a musical battle between the soprano and tenor. Intense and devoted, Puccini has his lovers reach for the stars. On the lake stage, there is no roof to obstruct the view of the heavenly bodies.Paolo Carignani, a passionate expert on Italian opera, is conducting at the Bregenz Festival for the first time this year. Director and set designer Marco Arturo Marelli of interna-tional repute is also working on the lake for the very first time.

information & ticket saleBregenzer FestspieleT +43 (0)5574 407-6www.bregenzerfestspiele.com

Details are available from the programme you can order from Bregenzerwald Tourismus. Bregenzerwald Tourismus has compiled attractive package deals for prospective visitors. information & arrangements &room reservationsBregenzerwald Tourismus GmbHImpulszentrum 1135, 6863 EggT +43 (0)5512 2365F +43 (0)5512 3010www.bregenzerwald.at/uk

Performance on the lake

bregenz festival

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Insights into the history, lifestyle and creative activity are provided by lively museums and exhibitions.

exhibitions & museums

Angelika Kauffmann Museum Schwarzenberg1 May until 25 October 2015Angelika Kauffmann. Rome residenceWhen Angelika Kauffmann returned to Rome in 1782, she resided at Via Sistina 72, Trinità dei Monti. It is in this palazzo that the painter Anton Raphael Mengs had resided until his death in 1779. Her salon became a cosmopolitan meeting place for artists, aristocrats and intellectuals.Two self-portraits of Angelika Kauffmann’s cousin Johann Kauff-mann provide an insight into his impact on her work. The sculptor Johann Peter Kauffmann, a distant relative of the artist, is also acknow-ledged in the exhibition on the occa-sion of his 150th birthday. Important historical paintings and exemplary portraits from Kaufmann’s creative Roman period round off the show.

opening times1 May until 25 October 2015Tue to Sun 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. guided tours Tuesday, 4 p.m.Sundays and bank holidays, 10.30 a.m.

Special exhibition 2015“hüslo, bopplo, spielo”. Children’s toys, then and nowA selection of toys played with by children from the Bregenzerwald between the turn of the century and the 1960s is presented in the old wing of the museum. These old toys are compared with the favourite toys and themes of the children at Schwarzen-berg primary school. Maybe a field of tension arises for the visitors, and memories of their own childhood are revived.opening times22 March until 19 April 2015 Wed to Sat: 2 to 5 p.m., Sun 1 to 5 p.m. informationSchwarzenberg tourist information officeT +43 (0)5512 3570www.schwarzenberg.atwww.angelika-kauffmann.com

Angelika Kauffmann: self-portrait in old age, ca. 1802, private collection

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The Women’s Museum in HittisauHittisau Women’s Museum is the first and only museum dedicated to women in Austria. Hittisau Women’s Museum presents changing exhibitions which examine topics from the fields of history, art, architecture, social history, ethnology, craftsmanship, etc. from a female point of view. Attention is paid to switching between or combining regional and international points of view.To accompany the exhibitions, the Women’s Museum offers an extensive supporting programme of individually organised special guided tours, talks, workshops, concerts, readings and film showings. opening timesWed 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.Thur, Fri, Sat and Sun 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.guided tours for the publicMon 6 p.m.informationT +43 (0)5513 6209-30www.frauenmuseum.at

1 May 2015 until 27 March 2016“I, on the summit!”A history of women in the Alps Alpinism was essentially a man’s pursuit for a long time. However, there have always been mountain-climbing women. They were frequently seen as wild women of the mountains and even grubby witches. If at all, a lady was to enter into practically impassable territory by means of a sedan chair – carried on men’s shoulders. The exhibition in the Women’s Museum in Hittisau is a historico-cultural approach to the history of women in the Alps. The great female alpinists from the 19th and 20th centuries are presented. The exhibition presents female life stories and outlines of their lives, traces prejudices and animosities, demonstrates the self-empowerment of female alpinists, and examines differences regarding the motives of mountain-climbing women. At the same time, attention is drawn to those women who always lived and worked in the mountains: alpine farmers, alpine dairywomen, shepherdesses, porters, poachers, smugglers, hut landladies and mountain guides have their say.

exhibitions & museums

Women’s Museum in Hittisau

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Bezau local history museumA typical residential building, main-tained in its original style. It holds national costumes, offers insight into the style of home furnishing in days gone by, and displays a valuable collection of sacral art. opening times with guided toursOctober to June: Tue 2 p.m., July to September: Tue, Thur and Fri 2 p.m. – 4 p.m, For further guided tours (including of groups), please register at: T +43 (0)664 73513036 informationBezau Tourismus, T +43 (0)5514 2295

Mesmer’s barn in AlberschwendeAgricultural museum opening times upon requestinformationAlberschwende TourismusT +43 (0)5579 4233

Angelika-Kauffmann Museum in Schwarzenberg19th century style of furnishing in the Bregenzerwald, Angelika Kauffmann exhibition in the new wing ( → page 80).

Juppenwerkstatt in Riefensberg

Juppenwerkstatt RiefensbergVisitors to the Juppenwerkstatt Riefens-berg can find out how the highly com-plicated national costume worn by the ladies of the Bregenzerwald is made by coming along to the Juppenwerkstatt. A very special technique is used to make up to 500 pleats in the black dress, for example. The building – former outbuildings of the Krone inn, adorned with a new glass façade, and extending over three storeys – is also worth visit-ing for its architectural value. opening timesMay to OctoberTue 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Fri 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., guided tours following prior appointment informationRiefensberg TourismusT +43 (0)5513 8356www.juppenwerkstatt.at

Alberschwende local history museum Bregenzerwald style of home furnish-ings: “From flax to linen” opening timesupon requestinformationAlberschwende TourismusT +43 (0)5579 4233

exhibitions & museums

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Egg MuseumOldest museum in the valley area (founded in 1904). Special exhibi-tions with a regional theme. opening timesThur, Fri, Sat 3 to 5 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.informationT +43 (0)664 1124341www.eggmuseum.at

Hittisau alpine dairy farm museumHistorical alpine dairy kitchen with cheese-making and milk processing equipment, cheese tasting. opening timesWed 10 a.m. with guided tour (reserva tion required) and following prior request information Hittisau TourismusT +43 (0)5513 6209-50

Images of 19th century life in Hittisau Portrayal of the life and work of five personalities from Hittisau at around 1800. Collection of photos from day-to-day life in Hittisau ( family trees, old photos, wedding photos, memo-rial photos, genealogical registers and histories of houses).opening timesupon requestinformationHittisau TourismusT +43 (0)5513 6209-50

“uf m Tannberg” alpine museumin SchröckenLife on the alp in days gone by – “Mountain farmers’ old trade” exhibition opening timesMid-June until September, every Tue, Thu and Sun from 1 to 4 p.m.Guided tours for groups available upon request

informationWarth-Schröcken TourismusT +43 (0)5519 2670www.alpmuseum.at

Franz Michael Felder Museum in SchoppernauFranz Michael Felder was a farmer, writer and social reformer and is one of the most historically significant personalities from the Bregen-zerwald. The exhibition is an explo-ration of his life and works. opening timesMo 4 to 6 p.m., Thur 9 to 11 a.m., Fri 5 to 7 p.m., Sun 9.30 to 11.30 a.m.groups: reservation requiredinformationSchoppernau TourismusT +43 (0)5515 2495

Kulisse Pfarrhof in Damüls100 years’ skiing history and tourism in Damüls: Exhibition “Woods.Walser.Winter sport”opening timesJune to October, Tue and Fri 3 to 6 p.m.Groups upon requestinformationDamüls TourismusT +43 (0)5510 620-0, www.damuels.at

Felber’s Crooked House in SibratsgfällIn 1999, 70 million cubic metres of rock swept down into the valley, destroying forest, field and alpine areas in its wake, in addition to 17 buildings. Since then, Felber’s house has been crooked, and can be visited as part of guided tours.opening timesupon requestinformationSibratsgfäll TourismusT +43 (0)5513 2112-13

exhibitions & museums

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Cultural initiatives in several towns and villages liven up the events calendar with small yet exquisite programmes.

Bahnhof Andelsbuch cultural societyCulture is a regular visitor to the “bahnhof”, the converted imperial and royal station in Andelsbuch from the abandoned Wälderbahn. It hosts over 50 events every year. Exhibitions (including the “Long Night of the Museums”), lectures and discussions, fairy story times, lieder evenings and concerts attract locals as well as visi-tors from Switzerland, Germany and Liechtenstein to the bahnhof events location. It is the objective of those running the bahnhof to bring global culture to Bregenzerwald and, in the form of the bahnhof, to show the world which culture thrives in these parts, be it the art of young avant-gardists or of the artistic craftsman-ship of people from Bregenzerwald. Music has proven particularly popu-lar in the bahnhof. informationKulturverein BahnhofT +43 (0)664 2507789www.bahnhof.cc

cabaret & culture

Andelsbuch railway station, events location

Tea time with the queenInvitation to a guided tour of the church with organ concertIn a good hour, guests discover the history and background of churches as religious and social centres as well as those of Bregen-zwald baroque master builders.Organ works from various epochs are performed, with the special features of the instruments audible. Admission is free. Every Wednesday at 5 p.m. 8 July at Schoppernau parish church 15 July at Au parish church22 July at Schoppernau parish church 29 July at Au parish church5 August at Schoppernau parish church 12 August at Au parish church19 August at Schoppernau parish church 26 August at Au parish churchinformationAu-Schoppernau Tourismuswww.au-schoppernau.at

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cabaret & culture

Cultural Outings in VorarlbergBregenz: Kunst haus Bregenz, Fes-tival House with its lakeside stage, old town, Vorarlberg MuseumDornbirn: inatura with Science Centre, Rolls Royce MuseumRankweil: basilica worth a visit Feldkirch: medieval old town, SchattenburgMontafon: Silvretta high-moun-tain roadGroßes Walsertal biosphere park: parish in St. Gerold, Walserstolz house (dairy and cheese making, exhibitions)Cultural trips in the region where Austria, Germany and Switzer-land meet Germany: island town Lindau, Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen, medieval wine town Meersburg, Mainau flower island, Birnau mon-astery, historical council town Con-stance, Reichenau island (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage)Switzerland: monastery and library St. Gallen (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage), Einsiedeln monasteryPrincipality of Liechtenstein: Vaduz, art museum

Hans Bach moving pictures

Hans Bach moving picturesThe vague, constant purring of the 35-mm projector, the massive, heavy rolls of film, the minor mishaps putting in the next reel of film, and an audience which couldn’t be more dif-ferent if it tried – this and much more are conjured up on the first Sunday of every month at the cinema evening in the Jöslar – presented by Hans Bach moving pictures. Interested cineastes sit wherever they can find a place – a cinema seat, a chair or a bar stool – and indulge in best of cinematic fare. And drinks, of course.Date: the first Sunday of every month, 8 p.m.informationJöslar inn, Andelsbuch www.jöslar.atwww.hansbach.atT +43 (0)5512 2312

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Culture and cheese get-together in Alberschwende9 July – 23 August 2015Every Thursday from 7 p.m., entertain-ment with a supporting programme is on offer in the village square. This offers locals and guests the opportu-nity to get together for the evening. Alpine dairy farmers, farmers and pub landlords offer regional delicacies. Admission is free. The event is held in the Hermann-Gmeiner Hall in the event of bad weather. informationAlberschwende Tourismuswww.alberschwende.at

Summ’r Hock in Andelsbuch17 July – 21 August 2015 The Summ’r Hock series of events is organised by a different association from Andelsbuch every Friday from 7 p.m. in the school yard. Each evening has its own motto, with live music and regional delicacies on offer. Thanks to the canopy, Summ’r Hock will be held whatever the weather. Admission is free. informationAndelsbuch Tourismuswww.andelsbuch.at

Dorfklang – the sound of the village10 April in Riefensberg16 October in AlberschwendeMusic and singing can heard in the various pubs throughout the evening. Local music and delicacies specific to the Bregenzerwald provide this eve-ning a very special flair of its own.informationwww.dorfklang.at

cabaret & culture

Bezau Beatz Festival

Bezau Beatz Festival 6 – 8 August 2015 – in the depot of the Bezau Wälderbähnle A mixed, intellectually stimulating, entertaining programme for people open to new things, held from Thursday through to Saturday. Unique musicians from all over the world come together with their audience in an atmospheric location. Up close – and even personal if you so desire. Other cultures, ways of life, temperaments and types of music join forces. This makes Bezau Beatz a very special event for its guests – and its musicians!information & dateswww.bezaubeatz.at

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The Bregenzerwald locals are masters in the art of cheese and cheese culture. The Bregenzerwald KäseStrasse with its selection of enjoyable stations is dedicated to the subject of cheese. The chefs in the multi award-winning restaurants and inns also skilfully master the art of cooking.

dining out

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How come a valley community in which, a century ago, Sunday dinner comprised a sort of wheat flour mash (with maize grits the rest of the week) is now a gourmet region with speci-alities whose origins are protected and where refined gastronomy is at home in many restaurants?

The Bregenzerwald is an Austrian gourmet region. These days, the word “gourmet” is used all too frequently in advertising: however, the expres-sion “gourmet region” has a specific meaning: it is a registered brand by the Austrian Ministry for Food and the AMA (Agrarmarkt Austria), wish-ing to remind consumers of regional specialities. The basic prerequisites are that the ingredients come from the region, that production is regional, and that the products are firmly rooted in regional gastronomy.

In the Bregenzerwald, this means alpine cheese. Every year, approxi-mately 3,000 tons of alpine cheese are produced in the valley’s 17 dairies. Every year, 200 tons of alpine cheese are handmade by the 90 or more dairy alps every summer. The special

thing about this cheese is the silo-free milk it is produced from, since only 2% of EU dairy farmers produce in this way, i.e. their cows never eat silo fodder – instead, between May and October, they only eat grass and herbs. During the winter, they only eat the air-dried hay from valley meadows. In the so-called three-stage farming method, following their winter in the barn, the animals graze on the mountain pastures located at medium height (around 900 m) during the spring and the autumn, and on the high mountain pasture during the summer. The mountain pastures are run as a collective, since the farmers only have an average of 12 cows in the barn.

The three-stage farming method (inscribed in the Austrian national UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the spring of 2011) in particular gives the alpine cheese the special flavour which means it can easily contend with the well-known European full-fat cheeses. It has been like this for a long time: back at the start of the 19th century, the inhabitants of the Bregenzerwald

bregenzerwald culinary delights region

Alpine dairy in Schnepfau

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bregenzerwald culinary delights region

sold over 30,000 kg of cheese to the monarchy and abroad. In 1877, Karl von Seyffertitz wrote: “Everywhere – including in the cheerful Vorderwald, in Hittisau and Lingenau, you will meet a unique people in strange national dress in wood-panelled parlours with floors scrubbed white, with shiny door handles – the men busy looking after a dairy breed of cow and overseeing the production of a popular, world-famous fine cheese, the women busy with elaborate whitework embroidery.” However, it wasn’t the producers back then who made all the money – it was the sell-ers. The Schnepfau local Josef Ambros Moosbrugger, for example, made so much profit from selling cheese that he could afford a city palace in Milan.

No doubt he dined differently to the people back home, where cooking over an open fire resulted above all in simple pan-fried dishes such as the “Riebel” and the “ Schwozermuas”. Up on the alp, flour, salt, butter, quark and cheese were the main ingredi-ents. The recipe for “ Schwozermus” – named for the woodcutters from Schwaz – was: “Water, flour, salt, dripping – and that’s it!”

The lack of bread on the alp gave rise to the “ Käsknöpfle”, to “Sig”, known only in the Bregenzerwald and which is caramelised lactose, since they wanted to make a further product from the whey.

The passage of this modest alp fare to the current first-class restaurants in the Bregenzerwald – which now use over 50 regional types of cheese – went through a series of changes which demanded quality rather than

quantity. These include the 1997 EU Protection of Origin of alpine and mountain cheeses, the establishment of the “ KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald” in 1998 as a network of farmers, alpine dairies, craftsmen, publicans and businesses, the “Gourmet region of the Bregenzerwald” in 2005, the Vorarlberg quality marketing “luag druf” in 2005, the inclusion of Bregenzerwald mountain cheese into the “Ark of taste” by Slow Food 2008, and the “ Bregenzerwald Gourmet Days” by the KäseStrasse in July 2009. The toughest taste test is still the most regional however: every year, alpine and mountain cheese is judged in Schwarzenberg. The winner at this event is enough to satisfy any gourmet’s taste buds.

z’morgo Easso z’Alp(with semolina upon request), at 9 a.m. every Tuesday and Friday during July and August (other dates available upon request)Reservations required.Brongen alp, Egg-SchettereggThe Meusburger familyT +43 (0)664 6304073

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Bregenzerwälder KäseHerbstVisitors can experience the culinary and cultural highlights of autumn here: stopping off in an cheese inn or restaurant, paying a visit to the cheese-makers, experiencing the lively hustle and bustle you get at livestock and farmers’ markets, visi-ting alpine dairies, testing the wares, etc. The alpine day and the market in Schwarzenberg are traditional.informationT +43 (0)5513 42870-41www.kaesestrasse.at

The KäseStrasse isn’t a street or a road in the usual sense: it is a union of experts from various disciplines. Throughout the whole year, the members organise events, invite people to tasting sessions, and initiate the uninitiated into the secrets of cheese production.

A journey of discovery for the senses KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald is a union of farmers and alps, alpine dairymen and cheese-makers, cheese restaurants and inns, museums and railways, tour-ist organisations and partners from the fields of trade and industry. The thing that unites over 160 partners in the KäseStrasse network is the cultivation and the maintenance of culinary delights and regional culture. . Further stations on KäseStrasse include: the modern cheese cellar in Lingenau, where approx. 32.000 blocks of cheese are left to mature; the Käsehaus in Andelsbuch, open seven days a week selling the entire range of cheeses and delicacies from Bregen-zerwald, the alpine dairy school in Egg (Metzler Molke → page 61), where you can make your own cream cheese in a course.

käsestrasse

Alpine dairyman on the alp

Bregenzerwald cheese cellar in LingenauGreeting in the foyer with a view through the glass partition of the cheese cellar, information on cheese culture in the Bregenzer-wald, maturing and storing alpine cheese, showing of the KäseStrasse film, tasting of the various types and specialities of cheese. information and registration for groupsKäseStrasse BregenzerwaldT +43 (0)5513 42870-41

tipp: visit and taste

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Panoramarestaurant Diedamskopf, Au-SchoppernauT +43 (0)5515 4110 0www.diedamskopf.atopening times23 May to 11 October (daily)17 – 18 and 24 – 26 October

Elsenalpstube mountain inn, DamülsT +43 (0)5510 297 www.elsenalpstube.atopening times7 June to 11 October (daily)23 May to 6 June, 11 – 25 October

The limelight is on regional delicacies offered by mountain inns and restau-rants catering for day-trippers.

BERGGUT – good things from the Bregenzerwald is the motto of the initiative. A special menu informs diners which ingredients come directly from regional farms and manufactories – or even from the restaurant’s own garden!

“Hochalp” hiking hut, WarthT +43 (0)5583 4250, www.jaegeralpe.at opening timesEnd of July to early October

Almhotel Hochhäderich, HittisauT +43 (0)5513 82540, www.alm-hotel.atopening times19 June to 1 November(Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

Bergrestaurant Simma, MellauT +43 (0)5518 2761www.restaurant-simma.atopening times13 June until 11 October (daily, except Tuesdays). Information: Mellau cable cars won’t be in operation during summer 2015

berggut – good things from the bregenzerwald

Good things from the Bregenzerwald

“BERGGUT” breakfastAlmhotel Hochhäderich: every Sunday from 8 to 10 a.m. Bergrestaurant Simma: daily (except Tue) from 9 to 11.30 a.m.Elsenalpstube: every Sunday from mid-June to 11 October, 8.30 to 11 a.m.Hochalp hiking hut: every Thursday from 9 a.m. Panoramarestaurant Diedams kopf: Every Tuesday between 23 June and 6 October (every Tuesday and Wednesday during July and August) from 8 to 11 a.m.

92 culinary hikes

Step by step from course to course

Step by step from course to course – wander through a lovely selection of Bregenzerwald landscapes and enjoy breakfast, lunch and dessert with regional specialties in a range of mountain inns or restaurants.

Bezau hikeBreakfast: Baumgarten panorama restaurant Lunch: Jagdgasthaus EgenderDessert: Café KatrinaDate: 13 June until 4 OctoberWalking time: approx. 3½ hours

Schwarzenberg hikeBreakfast: Berghof FetzLunch: Alpenrose innDessert: Café AngelikahöheDate: 1 May until 31 October Walking time: approx. 4½ hours

Hittisau-Krumbach-Lingenau-hikeBreakfast: Hotel Gasthof KroneLunch: Restaurant SchulhusDessert: Hotel Gasthof AdlerDate: 1 May until 31 October Walking time: approx. 4 hours

price per person:€ 34 – 53* (depending on the hike)* discount available with the Bregen-zerwald Guest Card or a season ticket includes the following- Description of the hiking route

and hiking map - vouchers for the meals- Tickets for the cable car and bus

information & bookingBregenzerwald Tourismus GmbHT +43 (0)5512 2365www.bregenzerwald.at

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Ms Kaufmann: learning to cook the home-made way“Ms Kaufmann” teaches her stu-dents to cook a four-course meal according to old recipes, either sticking to the original or applying contemporary changes. Everybody participates in each course, either cooking or observing. The individual dishes are eaten as soon as they are ready, served with a suitable wine. Depending on the subject, inter-esting guests, experienced cooks, farmers or wine-growers are invited along. The cooking session includes the recipes, an aperitif, enjoyment of the meal together – including wine – and a taster for home. The shop and the online shop are perfect for all those who wish to take the pleasurable atmosphere of the cooking lessons home with them. The shop and the restaurants are open every Friday between 3 and 7 p.m. during the school year. informationKarin KaufmannT +43 (0)676 4954144 www.fraukaufmann.at

exceptional specialties

Ms Kaufmann in her cooking studio

FranzMichl-Vinothek The cosily furnished wine bar in the centre of Schoppernau has a large selection of fine wines.opening times Tue, Wed, Fri 5 p.m. to midnight, Sat 5 to 11 p.m.informationT +43 (0)680 500 1002www.franzmichl.at

Löwen mountain distillery A modern mountain distillery with a small shop has been erected in the former Gasthof zum Löwen in Au-Rehmen, which is under a preservation order. Stillman Bartle is faced with the challenge of compressing and concentrating the essentials in fruits, herbs and roots. opening times daily from 3 to 6 p.m., tasting sessions and guided tours available upon requestInformationT +43 (0)5515 25964www.zum-alten-loewen.at

tip: wine and schnapps

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Gasthof Adler in SchwarzenbergT +43 (0)5512 2966www.adler-schwarzenberg.at

Gasthof Hirschen in SchwarzenbergT +43 (0)5512 2944-0www.hirschenschwarzenberg.at

Gasthof Krone in HittisauT +43 (0)5513 6201www.krone-hittisau.at

Gasthof Gams in Bezau T +43 (0)5514 2220www.hotel-gams.at

Hotel Krone in AuT +43 (0)5515 2201www.krone-au.at

Hotel Post in BezauT +43 (0)5514 2207-0www.hotelpostbezau.com

Hotel Das Schiff in HittisauT +43 (0)5513 6220www.schiff-hittisau.com

Restaurant Schulhus in KrumbachT +43 (0)5513 8389www.schulhus.com

The Bregenzerwald has a consider-able number of restaurants and inns for those who enjoy good food. This includes a few exceptional addresses.

MundArtThe term “MundArt” has two meanings in the Bregenzerwald: firstly, it means the special dialects maintained in this region – even the Vorarlberg locals don’t understand it all! Secondly, “MundArt” stands for the creativity displayed by the Bregenzerwald catering trade. For them, it is a matter of etiquette to use produce from local farms in their kitchens: meat, vegetables, herbs and dairy products.

The following award-winning Bregenzerwald inns and restaurants have made it their business to adopt “MundArt” as their motto.

informationwww.mundart-restaurants.at

exceptional specialties

Regional cuisine with creative touches

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exceptional specialties

Moor restaurateurs, KrumbachFour restaurateurs have taken up the topic of “Krumbach’s moorlands” as their mission. As “moor restau-rateurs”, they offer their guests guided tours, cookery courses and moorland days to experience the moorland in full. At least one dish related to the moors is included in the menu throughout the year.

dawn on the moors – breakfast on the moors 6 June, Restaurant Schulhus 4 July, Krumbacher Stuba1 August, Auszeithotel Ross-bad 5 September, Gasthof AdlerProgramme: set off at 6 a.m. at the appropriate inn, breakfast at 8 a.m. Price per person: € 25 (incl. guided walk on the moors and breakfast)

Gabi Strahammer from Restaurant Schulhus gathering herbs

The moor restaurateursGasthof Adler T +43 (0)5513 8156-0 www.adler-krumbach.atRestaurant Schulhus T +43 (0)5513 8389 www.schulhus.comAuszeithotel Rossbad T +43 (0)5513 5110 www.rossbad.comKrumbacher Stuba T +43 (0)5513 8724 www.krumbacher-stuba.at

96 feasting in the bregenzerwald

Sucking calf and milk from hay-fed cowsKatharina Weidinger from the Werk-raum Wirtschaft does the cooking, whilst her suppliers explain their products. With a guided tour of the exhibition on the subject of cooking, in which artisans from the Bregenzerwald show what a kitchen means to them. Date: 26 June 2015, 7 p.m. Place: Werkraum Haus Andelsbuch (outdoors or indoors)Price: € 99 per person for a five-course meal with wine

Acorn flour and fish from Lake Constance Gabi Strahammer from the Schulhus does the cooking. Michaela Bilgeri, actress and editor-in-chief of the “Land-jäger” magazine, performs a reading. You can also hear Herbert and Gabi Strahammer in a culinary dialogue. Date: 3, 4 and 5 July 2015, 6.30 p.m. Place: Krumbach moor ( meeting Place: Restaurant Schulhus in Krumbach)Price: € 110 per person for a five-course meal with wine

Venison and beer The chefs of the Schwanen serve dinner. Antonia Moosbrugger explains why the Schwanen cooks according to the principles of Hildegard von Bingen. Hubert Egender and organic farmer Ludwig Greußing talk about venison and quality food. Date: 10 July 2015, 6.30 p.m. Place: “z en Hüttn” in Bizau (meeting Place: Hotel Schwanen in Bizau)Price: € 94 per person for a five-course meal with beer

information & reservationBregenzerwald TourismusT +43 (0)5512 2365www.bregenzerwald.at

Chefs from the Bregenzerwald invite you to an exclusive dining event – a five-course meal. Dinner is taken out-side if the weather is good – on a farm, in front of a hut, in the garden or on the moor or, if the weather is not so good, then indoors.

Lamb and herbs Willi Muxel from Adler inn in Schoppernau does the cooking. Annemarie Bär provides insights into the effect and the possible uses of the herbs. Manuel Zelzer plays the guitar.Date: 29 May 2015, 6.30 p.m. Place: Villa Maund (garden or in the villa) in HopfrebenPrice: € 99 per person for a five-course meal with wine

Cherry blossom and mountain hayMilena Broger, native of the Bregenzer-wald and passionate cook, does the coo-king. Following her three-month period of practical training in Tokyo, she enjoys mixing the Japanese style of cooking with ingredients from the Bregenzerwald. To accompany the current exhibition, there will be a reading.Date: 12 June 2015, 6.30 p.m. Place: Women’s Museum, Hittisau (out-doors or indoors)Price: € 99 per person for a five-course meal with wine

Herbs and essences Stefan Jazbec from Hotel Post in Bezau does the cooking. Ingo Metzler and Susanne Kaufmann provide insights into their joint projects and explain how the around 30 medicinal herbs which grow in their herb garden are made into high-quality cosmetics and skin care products. Date: 18 June 2015, 7 p.m. Place: Metzler farm in Egg (herb garden or taster room)Price: € 99 per person for a five-course meal with wine

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ell-being

Who doesn’t occasionally long for a retreat, for a leisurely pace, for stimuli which pamper the body and soul? The Bregenzerwald is such a retreat. With a great selection of specialised hotels and range of services for your very own well-being.

well-being

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Curative or preventative: if you want to lend your health a helping hand, you are in the right place! Some health hotels also offer wellness days for visitors who are not guests of their establishments. Prior reservations are required for all these programmes.

Gesundhotel Bad Reuthe****Applications using mud, wellness and beauty package deals. Lovely bathing house with a sauna and wellness complex and pool in the garden (open to the public). Tip: it is recommended that you make a reservation by telephone during the peak season.Reuthe, T +43 (0)5514 2265-0www.badreuthe.atRelax day 1 mud pack with freshly cut natural mud or herbal bath, 1 all-over body massage, 1 facial exfoliant and mask, including day ticket to the thermal bath and sauna and wellness world, fitness room. Price per Person: € 111

Vitalhotel Quellengarten***Active hotel offering sports and relaxation activities. Spacious bathing and sauna complex plus fitness centre (open to the public).Lingenau, T +43 (0)5513 6461-0www.bregenzerwaldhotels.atChill-out day 1 back massage, 1 wellness bath of your choice, 1 solarium session, day ticket to the bathing and sauna world, use of the fitness room.Price per Person: € 94.30

Auszeithotel Rossbad*** for treatments and health Therapeutic fasting, Moor vitality weeks, Kneipp treatments, wholefood cuisine. Krumbach, T +43 (0)5513 5110www.rossbad.atWellness day Full-body massage, Scottish salt bath in the flotation lounger, affusion stimulat-ing to the skin, use of the sauna and wellness area, including breakfast buffet, lunch and evening meal. Price per Person: € 150

health hotels

Wellness with a view

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These hotels are particularly ori-entated towards pampering their guests with pleasurable and exciting sensations for body, mind and soul. Some also offer wellness days for visitors who are not guests of their establishments. Prior reservations are required for all these pro-grammes.

GAMS, Genießer- & Kuschelhotel****SBlossom palace and cocoon with 52 romantic suites. Da Vinci Spa dream world with 2,000 m² of wellness.Bezau, T +43 (0)5514 2220www.hotel-gams.at

Hotel Post Bezau & Susanne Kaufmann Spa ****SMother Nature and sports, spa and detox, enjoyment and culture come together for the perfect holiday.Bezau, T +43 (0)5514 2207www.hotelpostbezau.com1 day All-round healthy Relaxing tuina massage for the face and head, back massage, herb and whey bath, full-day use of the wellness area, welcome aperitif, light lunchPrice per Person: € 188

Sonne Lifestyle Resort****SModern-yet-cosy Superior-design and penthouse-design rooms, spacious [comfort zone] spa.Mellau, T +43 (0)5518 20100-0www.sonnemellau.com Wellness day in the Comfort Zone day spa for him and her8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Long breakfast from the Marktwelt (open daily between 7.30 and 10.30 a.m.); swimming bag including bathrobe, slippers, towel for use during your stay; bathing and nude zone, fitness centre.

Wellness vitality snack in the restaurant, snacks and drinks in the tea & juice corner. Deal including voucher worth € 100, can be redeemed against all spa treat-ments and therapies. Price per person: € 139

Damülser Hof**** Wellness & SpaFamily-run establishment with an informal atmosphere in a picturesque location at an altitude of 1,500 m above sea level, large wellness area (1,500 m²) with swimming pool, panorama sauna, Aroma steam bath, bio sauna, infrared booth, Kneipp footbaths, tranquillity room, modern fitness room, sunbathing lawn with meditation corner. A “Realm of the Senses” for massages, beauty packs and baths.Damüls, T +43 (0)5510 210www.damuelserhof.at

Romantik Hotel Das Schiff****enjoyment the metzler way: Light-flooded relaxation areas, outdoor pool heated all year round, modern nature spa, saunas and steam baths.Hittisau, T +43 (0)5513 6220-0www.schiff-hittisau.com

Hirschen Wohlfühlhotel****Informal establishment, adventure swimming pool with panoramic view of the countryside. Schoppernau, T +43 (0)5515 21150www.hirschen.atWellness day A sparkling welcome, snugly bath robe, pampering facial, relaxing partial-body massage, light wellness lunch, relaxation in the whirlpool, in the sauna, in the steam bath, on waterbeds, total immersion in the panoramic adventure pool (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).Price per Person: € 135

wellness hotels

100 wellness hotels

Hotel Krone****Modern wooden architecture, Wellness area, Sky spa with a lovely panorama . Bathing lake with spacious garden and relaxation complex. Indoor pool, wellness treatments. Au, T +43 (0)5515 2201-0www.krone-au.at

Wellnesshotel Linde****Wellness and golf hotel with the elegant Sunset spa and a magnificent view. (open to the public)Sulzberg, T +43 (0)5516 2025www.bregenzerwaldhotels.atWellness day 1 pack of fresh hay flowers, 1 back massage, day ticket to our Sunset spa with wellness pool, sauna complex, fitness room.Price per Person: € 75.50

Sporthotel Steffisalp****Modern hotel with SteffisSpa. Warth, T +43 (0)5583 3699www.steffisalp.atWellness day at SteffisSpaUse of vitality pool, sauna complex, steam bath and infra red cabin. Price per person: € 19 (incl. bathrobe and towels )

Landhotel Hirschen***Yoga and herb weeks/days, wellness days, Moon week, forest experience days, base fasting, therapeutic fasting according to Dr Buchinger, talks on herbs, own herb garden.Hittisau, T +43 (0)5513 2320www.landhotel-hirschen.atWellness day 1 massage of your choice, 1 coloured light and sound therapy, 1 bath of your choice, use of the sauna, steam bath and wellness oasis.Price per Person: € 120

Water & moor Riefensberg barefoot course You can train your five motor skills at the 22 stations of the new barefoot and fitness course. This covers coordination, stamina, strength, agility and speed. informationRiefensberg TourismusT +43 (0)5513 8356www.riefensberg.at

Bizau – where water tickles your toes The Ulvenbach flows in the wide valley plane, close to the centre of Bizau. It is here that visitors can walk barefoot over a stretch about 0.6 km in length, take in the natural sights and sounds of the stream, and admire rare plants. information & brochureBizau TourismusT +43 (0)5514 2129www.bizau.at

Moorbad SibratsgfällSurrounded by Mother Nature on all sides, a paddling basin, two mud baths and a natural-water swimming pool await. (Early June to late September) informationSibratsgfäll TourismusT +43 (0)5513 2112-13www.sibra.at

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Vital energy in the moorHow do moors contribute to climate protection? What plants and animals are found there? How do we obtain vital energy there? The access points to the Krumbach moors are diverse. Some-times one may not find one’s way into them right away. The moor guides bring vibrant knowledge and exciting stories to your journey between the centre of the village and the Rossband nature reserve. Bio-mass enrichment of the water-saturated environment means that carbon dioxide has been stored up in the moors since their initial formation. For that reason alone they deserve our respect and protection. At the Moorsitze (moor seats), the nature and history of the moors are brought to life. Beyond the main roads, the Moor-raum (moor room) is definitely worth a visit, regardless of the weather. Insiders recommend visiting the Krumbach moors between five and seven in the morning. In the summer, an early walk through the moors promotes vitality. Starting in Rossbad, walkers make their way through the dawn light to Moorsitz Engisholz. Condensation on the cool ground causes the moor to steam and sparkle. Passing by the Wüstegraben

(ditches), the night draws closer again. Your animal spirits will certainly return for good when you kick the water in the cool ditches, if not before. Those who wish can make their way barefoot up towards the Moorraum, where the morning’s vibrancy is sure to be celebrated!guided walking tours of the moorDates: 2 to 30 May every Saturday, 10 a.m4 June to 27 August, every Thursday, 9.30 a.mDuration: 2 hoursPrice per person: € 8, children under 14: free of charge

information & booking Krumbach village hallT +43 (0)5513 8157www.krumbach.at

water and moor

Moor seats with integrated information plaques

102 care products

Bregenzerwald skin-care rangeNature and culture. Sports and pleasure. The Bregenzerwald offers inspiration for the body and soul all year round. There is a range of skin-care products to actively pamper you. Made from plants which are blended to produce an effective mixture to care for your skin and muscles. Produced and packaged locally, the skin-care products are a holiday souvenir you can take home for yourself or give as a present.inform ation www.bregenzerwald.at

Whey body care productsThe Metzler family offers a wide selection of whey products: cosmetics, refreshing drinks, bath salts, etc. (→ page 61)inform ationwww.molkeprodukte.at

Susanne Kaufmann organic treatsA clear look and essences from Bregenzerwald nature determine the products. Available from the new Susanne Kaufmann Shop in Bezau, from Hotel Post and the online shop.inform ationwww.susannekaufmann.com

Bregenzerwald skin-care range

Soap-boiling course in Au-SchoppernauSoap boiling, the rediscovery of an ancient craft! Selected vegeta-ble fats and oils, caustic soda and Schoppernau spring water serve as the basis.Flowers and herbs from her own garden and the surrounding mountain pastures are additives which give the hand-made natural soap its colour, texture and other properties.(From 14 years of age)Place: Au-SchoppernauMeeting point: Karin Beer,Schoppernau, Halde 395Date: 7 July until 25 August,every Tuesday at 7.30 p.m.Duration: approx. 2.5 hoursPrice per person: € 39 including material and detailed manuscript with recipes.information & reservationby telephone until the day before at 6 p.m. Karin BeerT +43 (0)664 4155330

103vorarlberg

A look at the Bregenzerwald

information Vorarlberg TourismusT + 43 (0)5572 377033-0info@vorarlberg.travelwww.vorarlberg.travel

“Min Weag” – circular walk with 31 stagesinform ation www.vorarlberg.travel/min-weag

tip: vorarlberg in 31 stages

Vorarlberg unites top-quality culture and impressive nature to stimulate the senses. The cosmopolitan state in the west of Austria keeps on coming up with novelties that delight.

Great opera, spectacularly presen-ted on a lake stage. The world’s best Schubert interpreters come here to perform in a country setting. Sensational contemporary art and architecture, perfectly staged in the respective surroundings. Vorarlberg knows how to tell a tale or two. About the joy of design, about multi-faceted spaces for development, about the highly enjoyable art of living. All of these things make Vorarlberg visible, real. The harmonious, frequently bold mixture of old and new wooden architecture is particular amazing in Bregenzerwald. The imaginativeness of local craftsmen impresses.

Lovers of exercise, fans of nature and families discover fresh stimuli in the various different landscapes to be found between Lake Constance and the mountains, which reach a height of almost 3,000 metres. The hosts depend on regional specialities, a cultured ambience and reliable quality.

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How to reach Vorarlberg by car from the north • Stuttgart-Ulm-Lindau• or München-Memmingen-Lindaufrom the west via Swiss motorways* via Zurich-St. Gallen- St. Margrethenfrom the south via the routes• Brenner motorway-Innsbruck-

Arlberg pass-Lech-Warth**• or Arlberg road tunnel*-Bludenz-

Großes Walsertal• or Arlberg road tunnel*-Feldkirch-

Dornbirn• Como-San Bernardino-Chur-

St. Margrethen*from the east• Innsbruck-Arlberg pass-Lech-

Warth** • or Arlberg road tunnel*-Bludenz-

Großes Walsertal• or Arlberg road tunnel*-Feldkirch-

Dornbirn *toll road / ** closed in winter

toll sticker required by law A toll applies to the use of Austria’s motorways and dual carriageways. Types of toll sticker: 10-day, 2-month and yearly stickers. Information: www.asfinag.at

how to reach vorarlberg

How to reach Vorarlberg by train The closest railway stations (distances to Egg): • Bregenz (A): 26 km• Dornbirn (A): 20 km• St. Margrethen (CH): 32 km• Lindau (D): 35 kmTimetable information: www.oebb.at

How to reach Vorarlberg by aeroplane Zurich (CH), Friedrichshafen (D), Memmingen (D), Munich (D), Innsbruck (A); Transfers from the airports to the Bregenzerwald: www.airport-drivers.com

Public buses in the regionThe Bregenzewald has an excellent public bus service. Use of the Bregenzerwald rural bus is included for holders of the Bregenzerwald Guest Card (→ page 8) Timetables, fares and information: www.vmobil.at

Taxis in the regionRüf TransporteAu, T +43 (0)5515 2280 Taxi FechtigBezau, T +43 (0)5514 2311 Taxi Alfons BischofDamüls, T +43 (0)5510 233 Hagspiel TouristikHittisau, T +43 (0)5513 6335 Felder ReisenMellau, T +43 (0)5518 2257 Ritter ToursSchröcken, T +43 (0)5519 211 Taxi ZündelSchwarzenberg, T +43 (0)664 98 53 113Taxi HörburgerKrumbach, T +43 (0)664 1851333

Bregenzerwald

Lake Constance

Bodensee-Vorarlberg

Arlberg

Montafon

CH

CH

D

A

FL

Kleinwalsertal

Brandnertal – Alpen-stadt Bludenz – Kloster-tal – Großes Walsertal

Munich216 km

Innsbruck200 km

Memmingen103 km

Friedrichshafen62 km

Altenrhein41 km

Zurich140 km

Distances to Egg in the Bregenzerwald

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Bregenzerwald Tourismus

Impulszentrum 1135 . 6863 Egg . Vorarlberg . Austria T +43 (0)5512 2365 . F +43 (0)5512 3010info@bregenzerwald.at . www.bregenzerwald.at

summer 2015

Ideas and Addresses. Your guide through the Bregenzerwald.

travel guide