The Lechweg

from lake Formarin to Weissenbach
In 6 stages along one of Europe´s last wild river landscapes
  • with luggage transfer

Accompany the wonderful wild river Lech from the source area at almost 1800m above sea level on its way through Austria to Füssen in Allgäu. Between romantic alpine pastures, untamed natural run and exciting thrills, you will experience the element of water as it formed the Lech Valley. And to underline the nature of this tour, you will find your own Lechweg natural soap from the Leovinus soap manufactory in your welcome package, as a fragrant reminder of this unique experience.

The course of your hiking tour:

Day 1: Individual arrival in Lech

In Lech you will get your welcome package and travel documents.

Overnight stay in Lech

Day 2: Formarinsee - Lech

~ 4 hrs., ~ 14 km, difference in altitude: ascent 190 m/ descent 620 m

Start the day with the bus ride to lake Formarin and thus to the origin of the Lech. With an almost continuous slight incline, you will get in the mood for the next few days along this wonderful river landscape. The lush alpine landscape accompanies you on your way back to Lech am Arlberg.

Overnight stay in Lech

Day 3: Lech - Lechleiten

~ 5 hrs., ~ 14 km, difference in altitude: ascent 465 m/ descent 370 m

Today's stage takes you, partly on forest roads, partly on paths, always a little above the river further north. You walk through forests and over meadows towards the village of Warth. Even in midsummer you can still encounter snow on this section from time to time. Finally, with the help of a small suspension bridge, the path leads over the river Krumbach up to Lechleiten. Once here, take the bus to Holzgau to end the day with a magnificent mountain panorama.

Overnight stay in Holzgau

Day 4: Lechleiten - Holzgau

~ 5 hrs., ~ 16 km, difference in altitude: ascent 130 m/ descent 565 m

After a hearty breakfast, the first thing you will do is ride back to Lechleiten. Past a practice climbing garden, it goes about 400 meters above the river Lech through sparse coniferous forests before a wide forest path leads you into the valley. You come across part of the Adlerweg (eagle path, easily recognizable by the eagle signposts) and accompany this long-distance hiking trail for a while until you finally come back to Holzgau through gentle forests.

Overnight stay in Holzgau

Day 5: Holzgau - Elbigenalp

~ 4 - 5 hrs., ~ 12,5 km, difference in altitude: ascent 425 m/ descent 490 m

A head for heights is an absolute advantage on today's stage. From Holzgau you start to a spectacular suspension bridge that spans 110m above the Höhenbach gorge. Alternatively, there is the less swaying path along the Simms waterfall. In both cases you will come to the Schiggen observation tower. The route continues gently up and down to the “Schöne Aussicht” (“beautiful view”) rest area and along the Josef-Anton-Koch-Path towards the village of Bach. And finally, stroll along wide forest paths to the station for the night: Elbigenalp.

Overnight stay in Elbigenalp

Day 6: Elbigenalp - Stanzach

~ 5 - 6 hrs., ~ 21 km, difference in altitude: ascent 445 m/ descent 540 m

During the first half of today's stage you mostly hike directly along the Lech river on wide paths. In Häselgehr the path finally leads uphill to Doserfall and on a panorama path above the river towards Vorderhornbach. Through the village you finally reach today's stage destination Stanzach.

Overnight stay in Stanzach

Day 7: Stanzach – Weißenbach am Lech

~ 3 - 4 hrs., ~ 13,5 km, difference in altitude: ascent 86 m/ descent 145 m

From Stanzach you hike almost flat along the wide, graveled stream bed today. After the long stage yesterday, today's stage offers a gentle change. During the hike there is always the opportunity to discover endangered Alpine river bird species and rare plants. Finally you will reach the center of Weißenbach am Lech.

Overnight stay in Weißenbach am Lech

Day 8: Individual departure

or additional nights on request.

General information:

Daily stages aren´t technically heavy and are also feasible for amateurs. A reasonable fitness level and basic hiking equipment like good hiking shoes, rucksack, rain and sun protection, functional clothing and also a warmer jacket or pullover are necessary to enjoy your trip.

Arrangement

7x
Overnight stay with breakfast buffet in ***hotels/inns
1x
Lechweg natural soap from the soap manufactory Leovinus
1x
bus ride from Lech to lake Formarin (incl toll)
1x
bus ride from Lechleiten to Holzgau and back
4x
Luggage transfer
1x
hiking map and further information (per room)
+
Service hotline daily from 8.00 - 18.00 o’clock (also on weekends)

Rates per person and arrangement in €:

  20.06. – 26.09.24
***hotels/inns in double room 855,--
Supplement half board (min. 2 course dinner) 270,--
Supplement single room 190,--
Additional nights on request
Transfer Weissenbach – Lech incl. luggage, 1 - 4 persons 185,--
Transfer Weissenbach – Lech incl. luggage, 5th and 6th persons +22,-- per person
Day of arrival daily

The local tax, also known as visitor's tax, is payable locally to the landlord; the amount depends on the resort and is between €1,00 and €4,00 per person per night. Children up to the age of 15 are usually exempt.

Accommodation:
Twin-bedded rooms in Austrian resorts are normally one large base with two mattresses/duvets. These are also known as 'Austrian Twins' and are regarded as two beds. Separate twin beds are rare and cannot be guaranteed as available.
Location of the accommodation are mainly close to the trails.

Information for arrivals by car:
The parking place does not always situate next to the accommodation but on a public parking place. (Possibly costs have to be paid on spot)

The standard terms and conditions of the Salzkammergut Touristik GmbH apply in the current version.

Rates and operating hours / timetables are subject to change

Our recommendations:
Get a travel cancellation insurance.

Informationen

For environmental reasons, we recommend arriving and departing by public transport (train/bus). We are happy to help you organise your train journey within Austria. Talk to us!

Level of difficulty
Daily stages with up to 900 metres of ascent - Ø 4-10 hours walking time - medium to difficult terrain: Trails with major obstacles.

For questions we are available.

Salzkammergut Touristik GmbH

Götzstraße 12

4820 Bad Ischl


Tel.: 0043 (0)6132 24000-51

office@salzkammergut.co.at