The Complete Lech River Trail
- Follow the entire trail from the source to the falls of the Lech River
- 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 LechThe Lech River Trail begins in the middle of the Arlberg mountain range in Eastern Austria. Fly into Innsbruck or Zurich and then take a train to Langen am Arlberg (1hr 20 or 2hr 15), then a bus to Lech (25 mins). We can also organize direct transfers from Innsbruck airport to Lech (1 hr 40mins) upon request.
A well-known ski resort in winter, picturesque Lech is wonderfully peaceful in the summer months. Take the Rufikopf cable car to 2,350m for sweeping views of the surrounding alpine landscapes that you will soon be exploring by foot.
Haus Widderstein has 10 rooms which are of a generous size and refurbished. Light brown wood and warm colours combine tradition and modernity. All rooms are equipped with TV, radio and phone. After your walk you can relax in the internal wellness area.
The cosy Hotel Alpenland - Das Feine Kleine is set against the backdrop of the Alps in a quiet location, just a 3-minute walk from the centre of Lech.
The small cosy bed and breakfast is located directly in the centre of Lech, opposite the Lech / Oberlech mountain railway and on the Lechweg.
Take a local bus to Formarinsee and the source of the Lech river at 1789m (1 hour) High in the mountains here you will find one of the biggest ibex colonies in Europe, so keep your eyes peeled! Follow the river along narrow paths as it gently meanders through the valley. Arrive at the hamlet of Zug where you can sample some freshly caught and smoked mountain trout before continuing through alpine meadows to reach Lech.
Ascent 68m / Descent 431m
Haus Widderstein has 10 rooms which are of a generous size and refurbished. Light brown wood and warm colours combine tradition and modernity. All rooms are equipped with TV, radio and phone. After your walk you can relax in the internal wellness area.
The cosy Hotel Alpenland - Das Feine Kleine is set against the backdrop of the Alps in a quiet location, just a 3-minute walk from the centre of Lech.
The small cosy bed and breakfast is located directly in the centre of Lech, opposite the Lech / Oberlech mountain railway and on the Lechweg.
Start your hike with an ascent taking you to the right of the river. The river soon disappears into the Lech gorge and out of sight; only the sound of the roaring water remains. Cross wooden footbridges as the trail crosses the gorge.
Descend to the village of Warth and finish your day with a visit to the local Käserei (cheese factory) for a tasting.
Ascent 352m / Descent 315m
This lovely Alpine hotel is located in Warth, in the middle of the Arlberg ski and walking area. Your rooms have been equipped with everything needed for a comfortable stay.
Located in the heart of Warth, the family-run Hotel Walserberg offers a warm welcome. Their colourful bedrooms decorated in a traditional Alpine style are the perfect place to relax after your day's activities.
The Alpenrose mountain inn is family-run and is located in Warth-Lechleiten, a small mountain village at about 1500m above sea level directly below the Biberkopf.
Walk 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 another cheese factory is waiting for hungry hikers. From here, walk directly alongside the fast-flowing river to the village of Holzgau and admire the painted facades of the beautifully preserved buildings.
Ascent 342m / Descent 739m
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 kilometers along the riverbank 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!
Der traditionelle Landgasthof Kaiserkrone im Lechtal in Tirol gehört der Familie Santifaller und Chef Peter bekocht Sie im hauseigenen Restaurant höchstpersönlich.
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 peek 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.
This traditional, 3-star hotel dating from 1908 is set in a grassy valley in the Allgäu region. It is located in front of a beautiful, quiet backdrop in the Allgäu Alps, only a 15-minute walk from the center of Füssen.
This traditional, 3-star hotel dating from 1908 is set in a grassy valley in the Allgäu region. It is located in front of a beautiful, quiet backdrop in the Allgäu Alps, only a 15-minute walk from the center of Füssen.
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.
This traditional, 3-star hotel dating from 1908 is set in a grassy valley in the Allgäu region. It is located in front of a beautiful, quiet backdrop in the Allgäu Alps, only a 15-minute walk from the center of Füssen.
This traditional, 3-star hotel dating from 1908 is set in a grassy valley in the Allgäu region. It is located in front of a beautiful, quiet backdrop in the Allgäu Alps, only a 15-minute walk from the center of Füssen.
Check out of your hotel for your onward travel. Still have time and energy to spare? Füssen is also the endpoint 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 11kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 11kg is equivalent to 2 Neapolitan margherita pizzas. Buon appetito!. 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 about 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 complete one of Europe’s best long distance trails. Despite the dramatic scenery, no Alpine experience is necessary and the overall trip is rated moderate with walks being between 14-24km with manageable ascents. Stay in comfortable and welcoming 3 and 4* hotels and guesthouses, most complete with small spas and saunas; the perfect end to a day on the trails.
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 in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle 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 waymarked 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 saunas. 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.Â
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.
- 9 nights in 3 and 4* hotels and guesthouses, most with sauna/spa
- 9 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 Lech and from Füssen
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Bus from Lech to Formarinsee on day 2
- Travel Insurance
- Taxi transfers or public transportation if you wish to shorten a walk
- Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc
- Any items not specifically mentioned in the program
- Additional nights during the holiday
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.
The Alps have generally warm and sunny summers and cold and snowy winters. However, weather in the Alps can change very quickly, particularly at altitude. 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 (duration 1hr 20 and 2hr 15), then a bus to Lech am Arlberg (duration appr. 25 minutes). We can also organise direct transfers from Innsbruck airport to Lech (1 hr 30mins) upon request.Â
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.
In your information pack, you will find a detailed packing list which includes walking boots, walking poles and waterproof clothes amongst other things.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
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 offices.
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.
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
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 waymarked 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.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalized 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.
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