The Lech River Trail (8 Days & 7 Nights)
- Follow the Lech river on foot, one of the last truly wild alpine rivers
- Hike through Austria's Arlberg and Tyrol to the Bavarian town of Füssen
- Enjoy dramatic mountain views in the Tyroler-Lech Nature Park
- Explore the Romantic fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein
- Relax in the hotel spa and feast on delicious Apfelstrudel and Weisswurst
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in the Lech ValleyThis particular ‘Lech River Trail’ itinerary begins in the village of Holzgau. Fly into Innsbruck or Zurich and then take a train to Langen am Arlberg (1hr 20 or 2hr 15), then a bus to Holzgau (1.5 hr). We can also organise direct transfers from Innsbruck airport to Holzgau (1 hr 40mins) upon request.
Explore the village and enjoy Holzgau’s beautifully preserved old buildings, with intricately painted facades depicting biblical, hunting and typical country-life scenes.
Boasting wonderful mountain views, this family-run hotel is well situated in the middle of the village. On sunny days, relax on one of the two sun terraces or benefit from the sauna, steam bath or herbal steam bath.
The Gasthof Bären is located in the quiet mountain village of Holzgau, surrounded by a unique mountain backdrop.
Residence 111 is located in Holzgau in the Lech Valley nature reserve in a historic building decorated with traditional "Lüftlmalerei".
Take the bus to the village of Warth (20 mins) and begin your trek high above the Lech through meadows and forest. Views of the valley open up and from time to time you will see flashes of the river’s turquoise waters. Descend to the valley floor and come to Steeg where a cheese factory is waiting for hungry hikers. From here, walk directly alongside the fast flowing river back into Holzgau. Today can also be shortened by starting in Steeg instead of Warth.
Ascent/Descent: 340m/740m
Boasting wonderful mountain views, this family-run hotel is well situated in the middle of the village. On sunny days, relax on one of the two sun terraces or benefit from the sauna, steam bath or herbal steam bath.
The Gasthof Bären is located in the quiet mountain village of Holzgau, surrounded by a unique mountain backdrop.
Residence 111 is located in Holzgau in the Lech Valley nature reserve in a historic building decorated with traditional "Lüftlmalerei".
The spectacular Holzgauer bridge; Austria’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge; awaits you today. At 200m in length, 110m above the ground and crossing the dramatic Höhenbach gorge, it’s a real highlight of the day. If you prefer to avoid the bridge, don’t worry as there is also an adrenaline-free option to get back to the Lech valley.
Continue over alpine pastures to Bach, from where it’s a leisurely walk along the banks of the river to Elbigenalp; the heart of the Lech valley.
Ascent 579m / Descent 627m
Welcome to Hotel Gasthof Stern, a family-run hotel that’s welcomed guests for many generations. Their on-site restaurant specialises in the local cuisine.
In the sunny Lechtal, where the majestic mountains show themselves in full splendour, the guesthouse/apartment Schwarzer Adler awaits you. The over 300-year-old house in the centre of Elbigenalp has been in the family for 3 generations.
Stay in the family-run chalet styled Hotel Panorama. Enjoy a visit to their sauna after a long day's walk.
There is a lot to discover today; for example, the mysterious Doser waterfall, whose water inexplicably dries up every year between November and April. Enjoy magnificent views of the milky-turquoise river and the lush green valley as you continue on the trail. Stop off in the hamlet of Vorderhornbach for a refreshment before wandering the last couple of kilometres along the river bank into Stanzach.
Ascent 508m / Descent 631m
Located in the Lech Valley and surrounded by the Lechtal Alps and Allgäu Alps, Hotel Garni Waldhof - stay in modern, Alpine-style rooms.
The rooms in Hotel Föhrenhof have a private bathroom and balcony. There is an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy an evening meal. Moreover, the hotel also features its own spa so you can relax in the evening after a long day’s walking!
From Stanzach the river begins to widen. Follow the river banks while walking in the shadow of the mountainous Tyroler-Lech Nature Park. Walking alongside the smooth flowing water has a truly meditative effect.
Fans of suspension bridges have an opportunity to explore the Forchacher hanging bridge before continuing on the trail. Come to the Reuttener basin, and look up for glimpses of the perched ruins of the Ehrenberg castle; a first peak at the region’s noble history.
Ascent 122m / Descent 119m
Landhotel Die Lilie is located in Höfen, near the Lech River and 100 metres from the Lech Trail. This traditional, family-run hotel has a small sauna area.
This family-run hotel is spectacularly located on the outskirts of Wängle. A natural paradise awaits you on the alpine river Lech in the midst of a grandiose mountain and water world. Recharge your batteries after a long walking day.
Das freundliche 3-Sterne Hotel im alpinen Stil befindet sich außerhalb des Dorfkerns von Weißenbach auf einem Sonnenplateau in einem idyllischen Bergtal.
An exciting day of walking awaits as you cross the border into Bavaria and finish your hike along the Lech River Trail.
Shortly after the town of Pflach, cross the unmarked border from Austria into Germany. The crossing is without fanfare; however the scenery is reward enough! Take in views to the shimmering blue-green waters of Alpsee as you descend and keep your eyes peeled for glimpses of the famous Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangu castles perched high in the distance.
Finally, on the outskirts of Füssen, the thundering water of the Lechfalls signals the end of the Lech River Trail—congratulations!
Today is a long day with a few strenuous climbs. For the weary, the day can be shortened to 15km by taking a bus from Pflach to Füssen.
Ascent 760m / Descent 872m
This 4* hotel has lots of character with individually decorated rooms. Located in the centre of pedestrian-friendly Fuessen and offering a comprehensive breakfast buffet, this is a great hotel to begin your Alpine crossing adventure.
The hotel is conveniently located and a great place to finish your adventure. From your room, you will either have a forest- or mountain view. Moreover, the hotel has its own restaurant, bar, and Spa section.
Renovated yet traditional, family-run hotel in the old town in Füssen. The Altstadt-Hotel zum Hechten is well suited as a starting point for exploration tours & hikes through the charming surroundings or for a day trip to nearby Austria.
Visit the famous castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, both of which are just a short bus journey from Füssen. Neuschwanstein is one of Germany’s most popular tourist attractions and it’s easy to see why. Built in the late 19th century by the eccentric King Ludwig II of Bavaria, its Romantic, fairytale style and stunning Alpine backdrop has inspired many. Tours are by guide only and it is strongly recommended to reserve tickets online well in advance.
Prefer to stay away from the hustle and bustle? Why not relax your muscles in the Kristall-Therme thermal baths while appreciating the views of the castles in the distance.
This 4* hotel has lots of character with individually decorated rooms. Located in the centre of pedestrian-friendly Fuessen and offering a comprehensive breakfast buffet, this is a great hotel to begin your Alpine crossing adventure.
The hotel is conveniently located and a great place to finish your adventure. From your room, you will either have a forest- or mountain view. Moreover, the hotel has its own restaurant, bar, and Spa section.
Erneurtes und dennoch traditionelles, familiengeführtes Hotel in der Altstadt in Füssen. Das Altstadt-Hotel zum Hechten eignet sich gut als Ausgangspunkt für Erkundungstouren & Wanderungen durch die reizvolle Umgebung oder für einen Tagesausflug ins nahgelegene Österreich.
Check out of your hotel for your onward travel. Still have time and energy to spare? Füssen is also the end point of the famous King Ludwig Way long-distance trail and the tours can easily be combined. For more information about this tour please ask your Destination specialist or refer to our website.
This trip has a carbon score of 9kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 9kg is equivalent to 5.5 avocados. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?This inn to inn walking holiday is perfect for those looking to sample a section of one Europe’s best long distance trails. No Alpine experience is necessary and the overall trip is rated moderate with walks being between 14-24km . Stay in 3 and 4* hotels and guesthouses, most complete with small spas and saunas; the perfect end to a day on the trails. Those looking to complete the full trail should refer to our ‘Complete Lech River Trail’ itinerary.
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Groups > 10
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This trip is graded ‘moderate’ overall, as some days are easy, others can be more difficult in terms of distance and ascent/descent. The trail is suitable for inexperienced walkers since the trail is so well way marked and maintained. Having said that, the distances range from 14-24km per day with varying levels of ascent/descent, so you should have a good level of fitness to get the most from this tour.
There are some long days and significant ascent and descent on this tour so you should have a good level of fitness to get the most from this tour. You will be walking on narrow paths so you should be sure-footed.
Stay in high-quality, friendly 3 and 4* hotels and guesthouses. Most come complete with a small ‘wellness’ area with pools and various kinds of sauna. A list of our preferred/usual accommodation choices is given below, however, these are subject to availability and particularly in peak season can be very much in demand. If unavailable then we will book you into accommodation of the same or a higher standard. Please be aware that twin & double rooms in Austria (Doppelzimmer in German) are typically 2 single mattresses side by side in one double bed frame with two separate duvet covers and pillows.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
This trip is available to solo walkers, and a supplement is payable as some of the costs are not shared. Single rooms are available should some of your party wish to have their own room and a single supplement is again then payable.
Meals
Continental breakfasts are included. This is usually in buffet form and there are many filling breakfast items available which are perfect for hikers; e.g. boiled eggs, ham, cheese, fresh bread and muesli. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options each day. Lunch can be picked up at local supermarkets or ‘Backerei’ along the way. Most accommodations will also be able to provide you with a packed lunch for the day, ask upon arrival (payable locally). Food in Austria and Bavaria is hearty and traditional, with meat and cheese being some of the dominant ingredients! Tiroler specialities include ‘Tiroler Gröstl’, a bacon, onion and potato fry-up topped with a fried egg, or ‘Kiachl’ a fried yeast dough pastry that can be served sweet or savoury. In Bavaria, sausage is king so be sure to try one of their specialities like ‘Weisswurst’. ’Käsespätzle’ is a kind of eggy pasta topped with melted cheese and sometimes crispy fried onion– it’s the ultimate comfort food! If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know at the time of booking.
The Lech River Trail is very well way-marked, and together with the Macs Adventure Smartphone App enabling you to follow the route using your phone's GPS, you will have no problems finding the way.
- 7 nights in 3 and 4* hotels and guesthouses, most with sauna/spa
- 7 Breakfasts
- Daily door to door luggage transfers
- Route notes, maps, info pack, GPX tracks and access to our GPS smartphone app
- 24/7 telephone support from our German and UK offices
- Flights and travel to Holzgau and from Füssen
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Bus from Holzgau to Warth/Steeg on day 2
- Travel Insurance
- Taxi transfers or public transportation if you wish to shorten a walk
- Any items not specifically mentioned in the programme
- Additional nights during the holiday
This walk is available to start on any day of the week between the end of June and October. At the start of the season and towards the end, there may be some early/late snow on the trail. This won't require specialist equipment like crampons, but we will always keep you informed of any unusual weather conditions.
The Alps have generally warm and sunny summers and cold and snowy winters. Storms can develop rapidly in the Alps and hiking trail becomes prone to landslides, or floods due to the swelling of nearby water sources. You should be prepared for all weather eventualities as even snow can fall in the summer in the mountains, regardless of the time of year.
Fly into Innsbruck or Zurich airport and then take a train to Langen am Arlberg (1hr 20 or 2hr 15), then a bus to Holzgau (1 hr 50 mins). We can also organise direct transfers from Innsbruck airport to Holzgau (1 hr 40mins) upon request.
In Füssen there is a train station and there are many connections to various other stations in South Germany, such as Munich (duration approx. 2 hrs) or Augsburg (duration 1h40) where you can continue your journey throughout Europe or to Munich Airport. Check the German Rail site for more info on trains: www.bahn.de.
Your bag will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your next accommodation. Please limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person. On this tour the baggage limit must be strictly adhered to. Overweight and additional pieces of luggage MUST be registered and paid for in advance (€10 per transfer per bag). Otherwise the luggage will not be transported by our supplier and will get left behind, and no one wants to get to the end of a long walk and find out their bags still back where they started from. If you would like to book an additional bag or extra weight then just let us know and we can assist you in aranging this.
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes the transfer of 1 bag per person and the weight of your luggage allowed is specific to the destination you will be travelling to. This is why it’s very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example proper rain gear, sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take. This includes good waterproof gear, walking shoes/boots, and lots of other useful bits and bobs.
In your information pack you will find a detailed packing list which includes walking boots, walking poles and waterproof clothes amongst other things.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised so that we can secure the best accommodation options for you. If you are considering booking during Oktoberfest, then making arrangements as soon as possible is essential, as the area around Füssen is extremely popular during September and October.
This trip is graded ‘moderate’ overall, as some days are easy, others can be more difficult in terms of distance and ascent/descent. The trail is suitable for inexperienced walkers since the trail is so well way marked and maintained. Having said that, the distances range from 14-24km per day with varying levels of ascent/descent, so you should have a good level of fitness to get the most from this tour.
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
Your detailed information pack will be sent to you after you book. This has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.
You can use public transport or a local taxi to continue to your next overnight stop. Your accommodations will be able to help with arrangements, or we are able to assist you from our German and UK office.
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