The last great wild river in the Alps carves out its own path. Gravel banks, gorges, alluvial forests, waterfalls - on the Lechweg trail you immerse yourself in a natural landscape that hardly exists today.
The Lechtweg is a leisurely long-distance hiking trail with eight stages, from the source of the Lech in Vorarlberg through the Tyrolean Lechtal valley to Füssen in Bavaria. The route is easy to moderately difficult, mainly in the valley close to the river banks without major differences in altitude. Therefore well suited for families with children who enjoy hiking. There are always elevated viewpoints with panoramic views of the wild river and its gorges, wide gravel banks, alluvial forests and the striking, many-armed "Lechzopf". You can start and end the tour practically anywhere; the towns along the Lechweg are all connected to the bus network. If you wish, you can book optional luggage transport.
Easy long-distance walking through an alpine region which is simultaneously one of the last wild river landscapes in Europe: the Lechweg offers an extraordinary nature experience, from the inhabitants molded by their landscape and the truly mythical stories. The hiker accompanies the Lech for almost 125 kilometers. From its spring near the Formarinsee in the Austrian state of
Vorarlberg to the Lechfall in Füssen in the Allgäu.
The Lechweg leads past one of the largest colonies of alpine ibex in Europe, past a waterfall which magically springs anew after
running dry every year, flowing under the longest-suspension swing bridge in Austria, and finally leading up to the royal castles of King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
The trail connects three regions and two countries with their traditions and histories. From the Arlberg region through the Lechtal and the Reutte Nature Park Region in Tyrol up to the southern Allgäu. The Lech has formed all three regions for centuries. From the Romans and their Alpine crossings, the »Schwabenkinder« (Swabian children) up to the »Flössern« (raftsmen). In each of these histories the Lech had played a meaningful role.
The magical turquiose river shaped the flora and fauna. Many breeding birds and wild-growing Orchids make it one of the
most species-rich habitats in Central Europe. In order to protect one of the last remaining wild river landscapes in Europe,
the Tyrolean Lech Nature Park was initiated. The European Hiking Association tested the cross-border Lechweg along very strict criteria. They certified the long-distance trail as a first Leading Quality Trail. The Lechweg is thus a model for long-distance trails all over Europe.
For further Information on Lechweg please visit www.lechweg.com