The Lech River Trail (8 Days & 7 Nights)

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.4 Read 5 reviews
  • 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
Follow the ‘Lechweg’, one of the last wild alpine river landscapes, from authentic alpine villages to the Lech falls in Füssen. The Lech River Trail has been designated the very first ‘Leading Quality Trail’ by the European Ramblers Association and is already a firm favourite long distance hike with Germans and Austrians alike. Wander well-maintained paths through the Lech valley and take in grandiose mountain and river views. Experience traditional alpine farming towns and villages and enjoy the peace and quiet of this lesser-known trail. Refuel at the end of the day with hearty local Austrian and Bavarian specialities like apple strudel, locally made cheeses, sausage and a refreshing beer
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.

Tour Type:

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!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Groups > 10

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 5 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Long-Distance Trails
  • Alpine Walking

Activity Level & Terrain

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.

Navigation

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.

Experience & Fitness

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.

Accommodations

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. 

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.

Included
  • 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
Excluded
  • 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 program
Extras
  • Additional nights during the holiday

When To Go

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.

Weather and Climate

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.

Getting to the Start

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.

Getting from the End

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.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

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. If you have extra bags we can arrange for these to be moved or stored for you but we need to be made aware of this in advance. If you do not adhere to these limits there is a great possibility that your bags will not be moved for you. 

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Equipment

In your information pack, you will find a detailed packing list which includes walking boots, walking poles and waterproof clothes amongst other things.

What happens if I can’t walk a stage?
What equipment do I need?
How do the baggage transfers work?
How fit do I need to be?
How far in advance do I need to book?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in the Lech Valley Day 2 Bus to Warth, walk to Holzgau 13.6 miles / 21.9 km Day 3 Walk to Elbigenalp 9 miles / 15 km Day 4 Walk to Stanzach 14 miles / 22.5 km Day 5 Walk to Wängle 14 miles / 22.5 km Day 6 Walk to Füssen 17 miles / 28 km Day 7 Free Day Füssen Day 8 Onward Travel

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