Travel Guide Bregenzerwald, Vorarlberg - Summer 2013 by Bregenzerwald Tourismus GmbH

travel guide

bregenzerwald

su mm er 2013 Ideas and Addresses. Your guide through the Bregenzerwald.

sommer 2013 reisemagazin bregenzerwald

№ 08

reisemagazin

Katja und Mathias Erath

sommer 2013

Ausgabe o8 | € 5,50 | www.bregenzerwald.at

mit einer „Kuh For You“

Wanderhelden am Berg Geheimtipp unter Bikern Viehabtrieb von der Alp Frauenstolz Wäldertracht Das HMBC-Tagebuch Der Duft des Wälderhauses Bioküche im Hotel

On around 60 pages, the Bregenzerwald travel magazine provides information in the form of edited stories and reports. Regional and international authors report on people in and from the Bregenzerwald and about those things which give them pleasure and joy. Available from Bregenzerwald Tourismus and in the tourist offices in the Bregenzerwald. Can also be read online at: www.bregenzerwald.at/uk

09.12.2012 17:14:39

Editor:

Photographs:

Bregenzerwald Tourismus GmbH,

Adolf Bereuter (Titelbild, p. 32/35/48/72/85/88/92/96/98) Andreas Riedmiller (p. 55/70/75/90) Christoph Lingg (p. 12/19/23/29/30/42/43/52/59/76/78/94) Ludwig Berchtold (p. 13/14/15/38/86/91) Warth-Schröcken Tourismus (p. 6) Damüls-Faschina Tourismus (p. 21) Tourismusverein Egg (p. 22) Leonhard Jochum (p. 24) Gemeinde Lingenau (p. 27/31/66) Georg Schnell (p. 28) Franz Fetz (p. 2/18) Juliana Krump (p. 16) Hittisau Tourismus (p. 17/26/63) Christa Branz (p. 20/57) Monika Albrecht (p.25) Huber Images (p. 40) Frank Broger (p. 46) Golfpark Management GmbH (p. 49) Armin Bischofberger (p. 50) Edi Böhler (p. 53) Archiv Almhotel Hochhäderich (p. 54) Peter Mathis (p. 56) Robert Kalb (p. 61) Christine Andorfer (p. 62) Bernhard Wilfling (p. 67) Peter Rohner (p.68) Roswitha Natter (p. 93) VKW (p. 74) Bregenzer Festspiele (p. 79) Archiv Symphonieorchester Vorarlberg (p. 80) Tiroler Landesmuseum/Innsbruck (Inv. Nr. Gem. 301, p. 81) Hanno Metzler (p. 82) Riefensberg Tourismus (p. 83) Archiv Gasthof Schwanen Bizau (p. 95) Maria-Anna Moosbrugger (p. 101) Krumbach Tourismus (p. 102) Peter Rigaud (p. 103)

Impulszentrum 1135, 6863 Egg

Design by: broger grafik, Andelsbuch

Printed by: Druckhaus Gössler, Bezau

Text by: Kinz Kommunikation Florian Aicher (p. 6–7, 70–71, 73, 76–77) Kurt Bracharz (p. 88–89)

Carthography: Aries Werbegrafik-Design Text and planning of hiking routes: Dr. Rudolf Berchtel © Land Vorarlberg für Geodaten

Data and prices subject to change. Typographical errors cannot be excluded. Edition: February 2013

Printed by our reliable, regional partner: Druckhaus Gössler, Bezau

contents

land & lives................................... 2 The Bregenzerwald 2 For your orientation 4 Living space 6 Bregenzerwald Guest Card 8 hiking............................................ 11 Things to know 12 Panoramic routes 14 Alp paths 19 Summit tours 23 Water routes 25 Cultural tours 28 Hiking with dogs 32 active summer............................. 33 Mountain biking & cycling 34 Mountain biking 35 Cycling 38 Climbing 40 Outdoor specialists 42 Fishing grounds 44 Paragliding 48 Bregenzerwald Golf Park 49 Indoor & outdoor tennis courts 50 family tips.................................... 51 Rambling with the pram 52 Kids’ programme 57 dairy farming up close 62 Experiencing energy 63 Day trip tips – Around Lake Constance 64

barrier free................................ 65 Barrier-free rambling 66 Barrier-free viewing experience 68 culture.......................................... 69 Architecture 70 Bregenzerwald Werkraum 72 Journeys to architecture and the culture of wood 74 Everyday culture 76 Schubertiade Schwarzenberg 78 Bregenz Festival 79 Vorarlberg Symphony Orchestra 80 Exhibitions & museums 81 Cabaret & culture 85 dining out.................................... 87 Bregenzerwald culinary delights region 88 KäseStrasse 90 BERGGUT – good things from the Bregenzerwald 91 Culinary hikes 92 Exceptional specialties 93 well-being ................................... 97 Health hotels 98 Wellness hotels 99 Water and Moor 101 Vorarlberg........................................ 103 How to reach Vorarlberg............ 104

the bregenzerwald

To start with, let us introduce you to the Bregenzerwald. Around 30,000 people live here, in 22 villages in total. The Bregenzerwald locals – “Wälder” as they are known – are confident, independent people, proud of their roots yet receptive to new things too. You will notice the successful, courageous blend of the traditional and the modern when you look at the architecture and experience the craftsmanship. Both disciplines are closely interwoven, and are a symbol of that which the locals of the Bregenzerwald are experts in: appreciation of art, of beauty, the creation of pleasure, both well thought-out and practical. This interplay is both visible and perceptible in many places.

Sensitive Many of the hotels, guest houses and farms combine the old with the new, or have been completely rebuilt with sensitivity in recent years. Wood plays an essential part in all this. In the well-tended inns and restaurants, the chefs are masters of pepping up regional specialities, making them into magnificent creations. Most of the produce used comes from local farms. They are all small farms, and are managed carefully and imaginatively by families. The bestknown Bregenzerwald speciality is cheese, especially the tasty alpine cheese. The informative stations and delightful events of the KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald impart impressions of cheese culture.

the bregenzerwald

3 land & lives hiking barrier free culture dining out

Soothing The Bregenzerwald landscapes are balsam for the eye – and the soul. A shapely combination of gently undulating hills, expansive plateaux, romantic river valleys and impressive peaks – ideal for active people and lovers of nature. The farmers are largely responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the cultivated landscape. Typical of the Bregenzerwald is the three-layer cultivation of the fields: (valley – mountain pasture – high mountain pasture).

Informative This brochure is your companion on your journey of discovery through the Bregenzerwald. It contains numerous addresses – from sights and day-trip destinations – and a multitude of tips for stimulating leisure activities: from selected thematic hiking paths through to outdoor and family-orientated programmes, right through to pampering wellness days offered by some of the hotels. We also inform you about the highlights awaiting you in our cultural calendar, the special features of our architecture and craftsmanship, and share with you interesting facts about culinary delights and the Bregenzerwald cheese culture.

family tips

Inspired For a rural region, the cultural calendar in the Bregenzerwald is anything but provincial! The major festival in the region is the Schubertiade Schwarzenberg. Many guests combine visits to the Bregenz Festival – known for its spectacular opera performances on the lake stage – with holidays in the Bregenzerwald.

active summer

Klausberg mountain pasture, Schwarzenberg

well-being

for your orientation Widderstein

Karh

2533 m

241

Lechtal Innsbruck Reutte

Lech

WARTH 1495 m

Hoher Ifen 2230 m

Diedamskopf 2090 m

Hochtannberg 1676 m

SCHR 12

SCHOPPERNAU 860 m

Schönenbach 1025 m

Hirschberg 1834 m

AU 800 m Damüls

Winterstaude 1877 m

SIBRATSGFÄLL 929 m

Niedere 1711 m

Baumgarten 1620 m

Balderschwang (D)

Son 1 Hochhäderich 1566 m

SCHETTEREGG 1066 m

ANDELSBUCH 613 m

HITTISAU 790 m Koyen 1300 m

Hochlitten 971 m

GROSSDORF 662 m LINGENAU 687 m

KRUMBACH 733 m

RIEFENSBERG 781 m Aach (D) Oberstaufen (D)

EGG 564 m Tannerberg

MÜSELBACH 585 m

Dress

LANGENEGG 695 m DOREN 709 m

SULZBERG 1015 m

Oberreute (D) Buch 725 m Hirschberg Thal 598 m

1095 m

LANGEN 657 m

F 73 Pfänder 1062 m

Scheidegg

Hohenweiler

Lindau Friedrichshafen München Ulm Stuttgart (D)

Lochau

for your orientation Zitterklapfen Mohnenfluh

2403 m

Braunarlspitze

2544 m

Glatthorn

Zafernhorn

2134m

2107 m

2649 m

Hochkünzelspitze 2397 m

Lech

Saloberkopf

Portlahorn 2010 m

Faschina 1486 m

Uga

1850 m

Körbersee

land & lives

horn

16 m

Ragazer Blanken

DAMÜLS 1431 m

RÖCKEN 260 m

hiking

Mittagsspitze

Kanisfluh

2051 m

2095 m

2044 m

Hochblanken 2068 m

Wildgunten 1705 m

1391 m

SCHNEPFAU 734 m Hoher Freschen 2004 m

BIZAU 681 m

MELLAU 688 m

nderdach 1208 m

REUTHE 650 m

Brüggelekopf 1182 m

1463 m

BERSBUCH 612 m

Staufen 1465 m

BÖDELE 1139 m

SCHWARZENBERG 700 m

slerberg

family tips

Hochälpelekopf

BEZAU 650 m

976 m

ALBERSCHWENDE 721 m

DORNBIRN 475 m

barrier free

Karren

Bildstein 760 m

Fluh 30 m

Kennelbach

REGENZ

Dornbirn Süd Feldkirch Basel (CH) Zürich (CH) St. Gallen (CH)

LAUTERACH

400 m

Bre gen zer ac he

St. Gallen (CH)

ein

HÖCHST

dining out

Dornbirn Nord

WOLFURT 412 m

culture

SCHWARZACH 438 m

Pfändertunnel

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Roßstelle

well-being

living space

Travelling the Bregenzerwald always means having to overcome dizzy heights to start with: from Bregenz you take the Pfänder, from the Rhine Valley the valley side which ascends 500 m, from the north you take the Sulzbergstock, from the east the Riedberg or Hochtannberg pass, from the south the Furkajoch or Faschinajoch.

spectrum which, right at the start of tourism, had travellers extolling the “charming landscape” as an “enclosed park” whilst at the same time shuddering at the “Siberian exile” on the wild, upper course of the Ache. A valley area of contrasts, borders, crossings.

Crossings Cross-border experiences also leave Up and over is the way to go – the most their mark on the locals – they know how to set themselves apart from impressive views are from the north outside. Yet the scarce rural areas and the west – and a space is revealed which, in all its diversity, is completely have never been sufficient to feed the population. The locals had to get different to all that surrounds it, with moving, cross borders, leave behind the Bregenzerache uniting it all. Your their homes and families. This took route takes you through gorges and on many different forms: the nomadic flat hollows – wide between the hills existence of alpine animal husbandry of the foothills of the Alps around Alberschwende and Lingenau, narrow (home, mountain pasture, alp → between the mountains of the foothills page 89), or in the form of seasonal migrant work, outbound commuting of the Alps around Andelsbuch and Bezau, squeezed in between the alpine or even emigration (to America in the 19th century in particular). Flexibility, peaks of the Kanisfluh, Diedams ideas and self-help were essential to kopf, Zitterklapfen and Widderstein stave off poverty. around Schnepfau, Au, Schoppernau, The area was only sparsely populated Warth and Schröcken. This correlates for a long time: only plot names with the division into the Vordergive rise to assumptions about the wald, Mittelwald and Hinterwald border between Celtic and Rhaeto(front, central and rear regions of the Romanic cultures. It was not until Bregenzerwald) – a topographical

living space

7 land & lives hiking barrier free culture dining out well-being

This culture has succeeded in maintaining its vitality. Innovation and flexibility based on the acquired continue today in initiatives such as the werkraum (→ page 72) and have turned the Bregenzerwald into a model European region.

family tips

Hard cheese and lace It was during this time that the region developed in the form you see today. Rational, mercantile methods gained importance in agriculture, desertedness became characteristic of the Vorderwald to the Mittelwald, production of hard cheese grew (alpine dairy → page 76) to such a sustainable extent that the first dairy

farm school in the Habsburg Empire was established. The new rulers were the cheese barons who amassed staggering wealth with the products of the new form of agriculture, and textile manufacturers who supplied material produced by the textiles home industry (decoration and taste → page 77) before the railway provided factories in the Rhine valley with workers after 1902. Such changes were also accompanied by resistance – Franz Michael Felder, author and spokesman of the revolt, is still considered an exceptional character (Franz Michael Felder Museum → page 84) in the valley today, and which is why one’s own house and home are tenaciously clung to. New sources of income have to be continuously developed – the multitude of manual skills is proof of this.

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Widderstein

the High Middle Ages that Mehrerau Monastery in Bregenz encouraged the population of the area upwards of the Bregenzerache. From above, coming the opposite direction, you come across a second wave of population with the Walsers. The particle “Wald” (forest, wood) found in many of the names of places makes it clear how undeveloped this settlement area was for a long time. Naturally, the locals gladly take advantage of this remoteness: interesting as a hunting ground at best for the feudal rulers, extensive autonomy was allowed to develop which went down in literature as a “peasants’ republic”. It ended with the brief Bavarian occupation (1806 – 1814) as a result of the realignment of Europe by Napoleon.

bregenzerwald guest card

D Lindau Bod

ens

Sulzberg Riefensberg

Bregenz Doren

Krumbach 10 Hittisau

Langenegg Alberschwende

Lingenau

11 Egg

CH Dornbirn

Sibratsgfäll

Andelsbuch 2 3 13 Bezau

Schwarzenberg

Reuthe

Bizau

Mellau 14

Schnepfau

15 B re

Damüls

Sonntag

There is lots to discover in the Bregenzerwald mountains. Rambling and hiking paths take you to the loveliest spots, and tell stories. Events are held. The Bregenzerwald Guest Card is your “ticket” to these mountain experiences. The Bregenzerwald Guest Card is available to all visitors who spend at least three nights in the Bregenzerwald, and is included in the accommodation price. validity 1 May to 31 October 2013 issuing offices Bregenzerwald Tourismus, from all cable car operators and tourist offices in the partner municipalities.

5 ge

Schoppernau 16 nz

Fontanella 9

Warth 7 Schröcken

Includes the following public buses “The Bregenzerwald rural bus” as far as Bregenz and Dornbirn (except the town bus), Lech, Raggal and Fontanella/Sonntag cable cars More information (→ page 9) swimming pools More information (→ page 10) You are also entitled to numerous reductions from our partners.

bregenzerwald guest card

active summer family tips barrier free culture dining out

3 Bezau cable car Opening times: through to 3 November, 3 – 24 November: Saturday and Sunday Operating times: every half hour between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., from 3 November: 9 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. at 20 and 50 min. past the hour, without a break if required Tip: barrier-free viewing experience (→ page 68) Culinary tip: culinary hike (→ page 92) T +43 (0)5514 2254 www.seilbahn-bezau.at

5 Diedamskopf cable cars Opening times: 18 – 20 May: weekends; 30 May – 13 October, 19 – 20 October: daily Operating times: 8.45 a.m. – 4.15 p.m. Family tip: Didi’s kids’ adventure land (→ page 61) Tip: Barrier-free viewing experience (→ page 68) BERGGUT culinary tip: Diedams kopf panorama restaurant (→ page 91) Sunset trips Every Thursday from 11 July – 19 September, between 6 and 10.30 p.m. T +43 (0)5515 4110-0 www.diedamskopf.at

hiking

2 Andelsbuch cable cars Opening times: 27 April – 6 October: daily; 12 – 13 October and 19 – 20 October: weekends Operating times: 9 a.m. – noon and 1 – 4.45 p.m. No lunch break on Saturday, Sunday, public holidays and during July and August Hiking tip: Niedere (→ page 14) T +43 (0)5512 2540 www.bergbahnen-andelsbuch.at

4 Mellau cable cars Opening times: 18 May – 9 June: weekends and public holidays; 15 June – 13 October: daily; 19 – 27 October: weekends Operating times: Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – noon and 1 – 5 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, public holidays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Last ascent at 4.30 p.m. Hiking tip: Kanisfluh (→ page 15) Family tip: climbing for children and crossing a gorge (→ page 60) BERGGUT culinary tip: Simma mountain restaurant (→ page 91) , culinary hike (→ page 92) T +43 (0)5518 2222-0 www.bergbahnenmellau.com

land & lives

1 Brüggelekopf Alberschwende Opening times: 12 May – 20 October: Sunday, public holidays; 6 July – 15 September: daily Operating times: Sunday and public holidays: 10 a.m. – 12.15 p.m. and 1 – 4.30 p.m. Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m., 1 and 4 p.m. Hiking tip: circular hike with a view of three countries T +43 (0)5579 4323 www.lift.alberschwende.net

well-being

bregenzerwald guest card 6 Damüls cable cars Opening times: 18 – 20 May, 25 – 26 May, 1 – 2 and 8 – 9 June, 15 June – 13 October: daily; 19 – 20 and 26 – 27 October: in the event of good hiking weather Operating times: 9 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 – 4.30 p.m.; continuous operation on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays Hiking tip: around the Walser settlement (→ page 21) BERGGUT culinary tip: Elsenalpstube mountain inn (→ page 91) T +43 (0)5510 600 www.seilbahnendamuels.at 7 Steffisalp-Express

Opening times: July – October: daily; Friday – Sunday until mid-October: in the event of good hiking weather Operating times: www.warth-schröcken.at Climbing tip: Karhorn via ferrata (→ page 41) Culture tip: “uf m Tannberg” alpine museum (→ page 84) BERGGUT culinary tip: “Hochalp” hiking hut (→ page 91) T +43 (0)5583 3601-0 www.warth-schroecken.at 8 Sonntag cable cars Opening times: 18 – 20, 25 – 26 May, 30 May – 2 June, 8 June – 6 October: daily; 12 – 13, 19 – 20, 26 – 27 October Operating times: 8.45 a.m. – 5 p.m. Good-morning trip: 8 a.m. every Wednesday, 8 June to 6 October Hiking tip: Stein sound room – the artistically designed path to the echo wall. Family tip: barbecue with clay oven T +43 (0)5554 5281 www.sonntagstein.at

9 Faschina cable cars Opening times: 18 – 20, 25 – 26, 30 – 31 May, 1 – 2, 8 – 9, 15 – 16 June 22 June – 8 September: daily; 14 – 15, 21 – 22, 28 – 29 September, 3 – 6. October: in the event of good hiking weather Operating times: 9 a.m. – noon and 1 – 4 p.m. Hiking tip: Faschina floral and hiking nature trail Family tip: summer tubing course T +43 (0)5510 705 www.seilbahnen-faschina.at

Swimming pools The swimming pools are open between late May and early September, depending on the weather. 10 Hittisau family swimming pool 9.30 a.m. – 7.30 p.m. 11 Egg swimming pool 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. 12 Schwarzenberg swimming pool 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. 13 Bezau swimming pool 9 a.m. – 7.30 p.m. 14 Mellau swimming pool 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. 15 Au swimming pool 9.30 a.m. – 7.30 p.m. 16 Schoppernau forest pool 9.30 a.m. – 7 p.m.

information Bregenzerwald Tourismus T +43 (0)5512-2365 www.bregenzerwald.at

11 land & lives hiking active summer barrier free

Hiking and rambling are the best ways to discover the beauties and mysteries of the Bregenzerwald. Miles of clearly and uniformly sign-posted paths take you to alpine 足pastures where cheese is made, across 足historical wooden bridges, to magnificent vantage points, to herb gardens.

family tips

hiking

culture dining out well-being

things to know

Hikers above the mountain pasture settlement of Schönenbach

Uniformly signposted paths and hiking maps make it easier to find your way around the mountains. Practical: the ramble and hiking packages offered by Bregenzerwald Tourismus.

Hiking deals You can book selected hiking deals directly from Bregenzerwald Tourismus. For more information, see the Bregenzerwald Travel Magazine and www.bregenzerwald.at/uk

Bregenzerwald hiking map All hiking routes and important information to do with cable cars, huts and alpine inns are enclosed in the hiking map. The hiking map is available from Bregenzerwald Tourismus, in tourist offices and in hotels.

Signposting of the hiking paths All hiking paths are clearly and uniformly signposted according to the Vorarlberg hiking path concept. The hiking paths are divided into three degrees of difficulty:

Hiking paths on the Internet Numerous hiking tips and routes can be found at: www.bregenzerwald.at/tourenkarte

Walking or rambling paths: Easy

Mountain hiking paths: Non-slip footwear suitable for wearing in the mountains is recommended

Recommended reading: “Wanderbuch Bregenzerwald” by R. Berchtel, published by Tyrolia Verlag (in German only)

Steep alpine trail: Suitable only for those with mountain experience, who are sure-footed and have no fear of heights

things to know

13 land & lives hiking culture dining out well-being

Respect your boundaries Forests, fields, rivers and lakes offer precious space for leisure and relaxation activities. Forests in particular have an important protective function. The Vorarlberg state government’s “Wohngemeinschaft Natur” initiative to encourage living in harmony with nature offers locals and visitors information about how to deal respectfully with nature. It is in with this in mind that we also appeal to you to respect preservation and conservation areas. The most important recommendations are that you stay on signposted paths and keep the countryside clean.

barrier free

Action in the event of an emergency 1. Move the injured person from the source of danger (rockfall, further fall) 2. Check the vital functions 3. Use your mobile to call the emergency services: • 144 alpine emergencies, Vorarlberg • 112 European emergency number, from all networks: switch off your mobile phone, switch back on. Instead of your PIN, dial »112« 4. Administer First Aid

family tips

For your safety • The correct equipment is a central safety factor: mountain or hiking boots, good outdoor clothing worn in l ayers, a functional top to change in to, sunglasses and sun cream. • Don’t embark upon a tour on your own. Always inform others about your tour. • Only set off into the mountains if you are in good physical condition. • Take (hot) drinks and a snack with you. • Set off in good time so that you are back when it is still light. It gets dark relatively early in the autumn, for example. • Check the weather forecast before you set off. Stay in the valley if it is misty. Should the weather deteriorate, return to the valley. • Take orientation aids with you: a hiking map, perhaps an altimeter. • Stick to signposted paths. • Applies particularly to tours in the high mountains: take with you a bivouac sack, a head light, mobile phone and First Aid kit.

active summer

Alpine hike on the Hohe Künzelspitze

panoramic routes

The Niedere with a view of the Vorderwald

Andelsbuch – float like a butterfly Andelsbuch’s very own mountain – the “Niedere” – is known not only for its magnificent view from Lake Constance as far as the Swiss mountains: paragliders also appreciate its fantastic thermal currents. When the weather is good, you can see them floating like bright butterflies around the mountain and across the valley.

starting point Andelsbuch mountain station cable car destination Andelsbuch mountain station cable car itinerary mountain station cable car (1,530 m) – panoramic circular route (Baumgartnerhöhe – Niedere Höhe, 1,711 m – Niedere mountain inn) – mountain station cable car chances to stop off for a drink/food Niedere mountain inn, Baumgarten panorama restaurant

Difference in altitude: 180 m Trail category: white-red-white Total hiking time: 1½ hours Opening times of the cable cars T +43 (0)5512 2540

panoramic routes

15 land & lives hiking barrier free

starting point Mellau mountain station cable car destination Mellau mountain station cable car itinerary mountain station cable car (Roß stelle, 1,395 m) – Kanisalpe – Kanisfluh (2,044 m) – Wurzachalpe – Kanisalpe – Roßstelle cable car chances to stop off for a drink/food Wurzachalpe, Kanisalpe (during the alp season from mid/late June through to mid-September), inns at the mountain station

family tips

Mellau – in the land of the ibex The Kanisfluh is one of the most striking mountains in the Bregenzer wald. The rocky north side is visible from the valley, the southern slopes are green and sunlit. It offers the ideal habitat for ibex as well as for 930 different species of butterfly. The first part of the hike is easygoing, and follows an agricultural path. After you have passed the Kanis alp, the ascent begins on a narrow path which takes you to the top of the Kanisfluh. To descend, take the Wurzachalpe option back down to the mountain station.

active summer

Kanisfluh

culture well-being

Opening times of the cable cars T +43 (0)5518 2222-0

dining out

Difference in altitude: 650 m Trail category: white-red-white Total hiking time: 3½ hours

panoramic routes

Sulzberg with its Empire-style church

Sulzberg – protected by St Lawrence The gentle panoramic hike at an altitude of over 1,000 m takes you along the nature trail into the gently undulating hills of the Upper Bregenzerwald. The return journey is taken in good, pleasantly cool forest air. The church on the village square, renovated in 1828/29 by Alois Negrelli, the planner of the Suez Canal, is worth a visit. The church, constructed in Empire style, is dedicated to St Lawrence, the patron saint of pub landlords, cooks and brewers.

starting point Sulzberg centre of town destination Sulzberg centre of town itinerary Sulzberg centre of town (1,013 m) – Hochsträß (1,025 m) nature trail – Sulzberg forest path chances to stop off for a drink/food Hochsträßstüble ramblers’ café, inns in Sulzberg

Difference in altitude: 15 m Trail category: yellow-white Total hiking time: 1½ hours

panoramic routes

17 land & lives hiking barrier free

starting point Hittisau-Reute destination Hittisau-Reute itinerary Hochhäderich (via Streichbrunnen alpe and Lochalpe) – Leckenholzalpen – Reute chances to stop off for a drink/food Hochhäderich mountain inn, Gasthof Alpenrose (Reute)

family tips

Hittisau – along the Nagelfluh rock face on Hochhäderich Hochhäderich offers a magnificent view to the north as far as the Allgäu and, to the south, to the Bregenzerwald. You pass large rock faces made up of Nagelfluh rock which are very distinct here. In 2008, 15 towns and villages in the border area of Allgäu and Vorderwald established the “Nagelfluhkette National Park” which covers an area of around 400 km².

active summer

Nagelfluhkette National Park

culture well-being

information www.naturpark-nagelfluhkette.at

dining out

Difference in altitude: 735 m Trail category: white-red-white Total hiking time: approx. 3 ¼ hours

panoramic routes

Älpele, toward Lustenauer Hütte

Schwarzenberg – “Legend” walk Legend says the blessed siblings Merbod, Diedo and Ilga were born into the line of the 11th century Counts of Bregenz. The siblings devoted their lives to prayer. Weeping, Ilga said her final farewell to her brothers on Lorena. As her tears fell to earth, a spring appeared. Another appeared on Berghalde, after Ilga spilled some water near her hermitage. The spring’s water is still thought to have healing properties – those afflicted with eye diseases in particular make pilgrimages to the spring to sprinkle their eyes with the water.

starting point Berghof Fetz, Bödele destination Berghof Fetz, Bödele itinerary via Bödele Paßhöhe – Oberer Geiß kopf – Bergvorsäß – Breitentobel Alp – Lorena Pass – short detour towards Maien to Klopfbrunnen (spring) – return to the fork at Lorena Pass – Unterer Geißkopf – Oberer Geißkopf – Bödele Paßhöhe chances to stop off for a drink/food Berghof Fetz, Frohe Aussicht

Difference in altitude: 390 m Trail category: yellow-white Total hiking time: 2 hours

alp paths

19 land & lives hiking barrier free culture

starting point car park Schönenbach destination car park Schönenbach itinerary car park Schönenbach – Schönenbachvorsäß (1,020 m) – Unterspitzalpe – Almisguntenalpe – Stoggertennalpe (1,500 m) – Osterguntenalpe – direction Kretzbodenalpe to Hänslervorsäß – car park chances to stop off for a drink/food Egender inn and alps (during the alp season from mid/late June through to mid-September)

family tips

Bezau – from the loveliest mountain pasture to the alp Schönebach is only inhabited from June to September, and is one of the loveliest mountain pasture settlements in Vorarlberg. The village is located on a plateau between the Hirschberg and the Diedams kopf, home to a meandering brook. The ramble takes you to the Almisguntenalpe, which lies isolated in a col beneath the Diedamskopf. Just before the newly built Stogger tenn alpine hut, you arrive at the highest point on the ramble. The path along the Osterguntenbach takes you down to the car park.

active summer

Mountain pasture settlement, Schönenbach

dining out well-being

Difference in altitude: 530 m Trail category: white-red-white Total hiking time: 3½ hours

alp paths

Lecknersee in Lecknertal

Hittisau – the village with most alps The Lecknertal is located in Hittisau, the village with the most alps in Austria. A toll road takes you to the hiking car park. The route takes you along the sunny slope of the Hochhäderich-Hochgrat mountain range up to the Rohnehöhe (at 1,639 m). It is worth taking a short detour to the nearby Lecknersee. Along this mountain hiking path – whose 660 m difference in altitude makes it hard-going – are six alps, four of which are where milk is processed there and then.

starting point car park Lecknertal destination car park Lecknertal itinerary car park Lecknertal (980 m) – Juliansplattealpe – Schwarzenberger Plattealpe – Plattentischalpe – Rohnehöhe (1,639 m) – Rohnealpe – Glockenplattealpe – car park chances to stop off for a drink/food alps (during the alp season from mid/late June through to mid- September), Höfle inn

Difference in altitude: 660 m Trail category: white-red-white Total hiking time: 4½ hours

alp paths

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Opening times of the cable cars T +43 (0)5510 600

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Difference in altitude: 700 m Trail category: white-red-white Total hiking time: 4½ hours

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starting point Damüls-mountain station Uga-Express destination Damüls centre or valley station Uga Express itinerary mountain station Uga-Express (1,800 m) – Ugaalpe – Hochblanken (2,068 m) – Ragazer Blanken (2,051 m) – Sünser Joch – Oberdamülser Alpe – Damüls (1,430 m) chances to stop off for a drink/food mountain inn Elsenalpstube, mountain inn Ugaalpe, Oberdamülseralpe (during the alp season from early July to late September), inns in Damüls

family tips

Damüls – around the Wals settlement At an altitude of over 1,800 m, the Damüls circular tour starts with two peak crossings. After walking for about 1¼ hours, you reach the Hochblanken and then follow the mountain ridge at an altitude of almost 2,000 m for about 45 minutes until you reach the peak of the Ragazer Blanken. From here, the descent commences: via the Sünser pass as far as the Oberdamüls alp and on to Damüls. The mountain church in Damüls, with its exceptional fresco wall-painting depicting the Biblia pauperum dating back to 1484, is well worth a visit.

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The mountain church in Damüls

alp paths

Alp Obere Falz

Egg – Falzalpen circuit walk The route leads from the ski and hiking district of Schetteregg into the mountain pasture districts of Eggatsberg and Hammeratsberg, where one can see many traditional Bregenzerwald-style mountain pasture cabins. A little later, one arrives at the Alp Untere Falz, which offers a fine view of the mountains to the south, Bullerschkopf and Winterstaude. The trail leads up to the Alp Obere Falz, continues over the Alp Brongen and back to the starting point at Schetteregg. There is active farming in the alps from June through mid-September.

starting point car park Schetteregg destination car park Schetteregg itinerary Schetteregg (1,066 m) – Eggatsberg – Hammeratsberg – Alp Untere Falz – Alp Obere Falz (1,217 m) – Brongen Alp – Schetteregg chances to stop off for a drink/food Alp Untere Falz, Alp Obere Falz, Brongen Alp, Gasthof Jokler, Gasthof Schetteregger Hof

Difference in altitude: 236 m Trail category: yellow-white Total hiking time: approx. 2 hours

summit tours

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starting point Au-tourist office destination Au-tourist office itinerary Au-Argenau (tourist office 810 m) – Bodenvorsäß – Annalperaualpe – Zitterklapfen (2,403 m) – return to Au via the same way chances to stop off for a drink/food Inns in Au, Bergkristall hut (at Bodenvorsäß)

family tips culture

Au – climbing up to the Zitterklapfen The Zitterklapfen is one of the most beautiful mountain peaks in the Bregenzerwald, with an impressive panorama. At the end of the idyllic Dürrenbachtal, the rocky massif arises. The first section takes you along a windy agricultural path in the forest up as far as the Annalperaualpe. It is here that the mountain hiking path commences. The final section in the rock to the peak demands that climbers be surefooted and not afraid of heights. The length and the difference in altitude make this into a very arduous mountain tour!

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Ascent to Zitterklapfen

dining out well-being

Difference in altitude: 1,600 m Trail category: white-blue-white Total hiking time: 9½ hours

summit tours

Braunarlspitze

Schröcken – up to the highest point The Braunarlspitze is the highest mountain in the Bregenzerwald. An agricultural path leads from Schröcken to the Fellealpe. This is the start of the mountain hiking path to the Fürggele, a pass to the Große Walsertal. From here, the alpine trail (which demands that hikers be sure-footed and not afraid of heights) takes you through the rocky part up to the peak, continues to the idyllic Butzensee and, via the Jägersteig, back to the Fellealpe. From here, you take the same path back to Schröcken.

starting point Schröcken-centre of town destination Schröcken-centre of town itinerary Schröcken-centre of town (1,250 m) – Fellealpe – Fürggele – Braunarlspitze (2,649 m) – Butzensee – Jägersteig – Schröcken chances to stop off for a drink/food inns in Schröcken

Difference in altitude: 1,400 m Trail category: white-blue-white Total hiking time: approx. 8½ hours

water routes

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A detailed brochure is available at the tourist office.

dining out

Difference in altitude: 260 m Trail category: white-red-white Total hiking time: 2½ hours

culture

Tip: The volume of poems by Birgit Rietzler invites you to a literary hike through Auer Ried: “Berberitzen” puts in words the externally visible and the internally perceptible. Available in the tourist information offices in Au and Schoppernau.

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starting point Au parish church destination Au parish church itinerary Au-Jaghausen (parish church, 791 m) – Auer Ried (1,050 m) nature trail (via Argenbachtal) – Jaghausen parish church chances to stop off for a drink/food inns in Au

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Au – delicate plants and wooden huts The path leads you from the Argen gorge into the Auer Ried nature reserve. The power of water, geology, nature conservation, ancient cultivated landscapes and the mighty Kanisfluh provide the subjects and the stations of the hike for those interested in nature. Over 50 rare species of plant thrive in the Auer Ried. Watercourses, gallery forests and damp biotopes run through the humid rough pastures and upland hay meadows with their numerous characteristic old hay huts.

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Auer Ried with the Kanisfluh in the background

water routes

Komma bridge in Hittisau

Hittisau – across bridges, through the gorge At the end of the Ice Age, a lake emerged at the foot of the Hochhäderich. The Bolgenach carved its path out of the cliffs which formed the “dam wall” of the lake. And so the Komma gorge arose. For almost 300 years, the Komma bridge has been crossing the river and the gorge at a height of 15 m: this bridge is the oldest covered bridge in the province. Along the Bolgenach, the water ramble takes you across a suspension bridge, past the wild yet romantic Engenloch gorge.

starting point Hittisau-centre of town destination Hittisau-centre of town itinerary Hittisau-centre of town (790 m) – Känzele View (Häleisen, 820 m) – Kommabrücke (760 m) – Engenlochschlucht – Hittisau chances to stop off for a drink/food inns in Hittisau

Difference in altitude: 60 m Trail category: yellow-white Total hiking time: 1½ hours Detailed directions are available from the tourist office.

water routes

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starting point Lingenau swimming pool car park destination Lingenau swimming pool car park itinerary Lingenau swimming pool car park (680 m) – calc-tufa nature trail (610 m) – Rain – St. Anna chapel – car park swimming pool chances to stop off for a drink/food inns in Lingenau

family tips

Lingenau – when water turns to stones The calc-tufa in Lingenau is one of the most unique calc-tufa formations north of the Alps, making it one of the outstanding geological phenomena in Vorarlberg. The water flows in small flumes over rocks as far as the riverbed of the Subersach, forming canopies and sinter curtains. Five information boards describe the geology and vegetation of this spectacle of nature. The nature trail takes you mainly across a passable gravel path with wooden bridges and steps.

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Calc-tufa area in Lingenau

culture well-being

Detailed directions are available from the tourist office. The wooden bridges can be slippery when wet.

dining out

Difference in altitude: 70 m Trail category: white-red-white Total hiking time: 1½ hours

cultural tours

Tannberg bench at Schöneberg

Warth-Schröcken – on the trail of the Walsers The villages of Lech, Schröcken and Warth are typical Walser settlements. In the 14th century, the Tannberg area was populated by the Walsers, who came from the West Swiss canton of Valais. In cultivating the alpine terrain, these pioneers developed a first-rate, fascinating cultivated landscape. Robust benches point out the stations along the trail. A book is available which describes the objects that tell the history of the Walser settlers on the Tannberg.

starting point Schröcken parish church destination Warth itinerary Schröcken – Alpe Felle – Auenfeld – Körbersee – Hochtannbergpass – the old salt road to Warth chances to stop off for a drink/food Hotel Körbersee, inns in Schröcken and Warth

Difference in altitude: 450 m Trail category: yellow-white Total hiking time: 4 hours Opening times of the cable cars T +43 (0)5583 3601-0 Detailed documentation in the form of a book is available from the tourist offices in Lech, Schröcken and Warth. www.tannberg.info

cultural tours

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A detailed brochure is available from the tourist offices in Au and Schoppernau.

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Difference in altitude: approx. 750 m long tour, approx. 350 m short tour Trail category: white-red-white Total hiking time: Long tour approx. 6 hours, Short tour approx. 2 hours.

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starting point Au/Rehmen church destination Au/Rehmen church itinerary Long tour: Au/Rehmen church – Berbigen mountain pasture – Upper Sattelalpe – Liegstein – Alpe Sattelegg – Wika – Holand – Au/Rehmen church Short tour: Au/Rehmen church – Berbigen mountain pasture – Wika – Au/Rehmen church chances to stop off for a drink/food inns in Au, Alpe Sattelegg (from midJune to early September)

family tips

Au-Schoppernau – “Alpgang” Insights into farming in the Bregenzerwald are afforded by the 14 stations on the “Alpgang” thematic trail. For economical reasons and in order to maintain the mountain’s sensitive nature, farmers in the Bregenzerwald have been farming their fields in several stages for hundreds of years: in the early summer, Alpine dairymen and their cows leave the valley and head for the mountain. They spend the summer on the high mountain pasture, and return to the mountain pasture in the autumn, and finally back to the valley. Texts on life in the alps and the cultivated landscape are to be found in stones.

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Hay landscape in Au

cultural tours

Barefoot spiral in Langenegg

Langenegg – energy hike For years, the village of Langenegg has been involved in sustainability, and the protection of energy and the climate. In 2010, Langenegg was awarded the European Village Renewal prize. The various “energy portal paths” make energy comprehensible, and hands-on. The hike starts at the village hall. Through the red portals, it takes visitors to the sundial, and through the Wind and Water Portal with its energy works. At the Hotel Krone, the trail crosses the country road and continues to the Mythical Portal: modelled on a small coliseum, the spot in the forest offers sufficient space for delivering myths

and oral traditions. Continue along the forest trail to the Tranquillity Portal with its barefoot spiral made from natural materials. A wooden swing and comfortable wooden loungers invite you to rest and relax a while. The cool hiking path through the forest, which follows the white-redwhite signposts through the lovely marshland and flora, offers the chance to hike further downwards towards the mouth of the Weissach. Now the lovely Achtal leads to the art portals created by wood artists along the Bregenzerache. From the old station, the trail takes you back along the road into the centre. chances to stop off for a drink/food inns in Langenegg

Difference in altitude: 230 m Trail category: white-red-white Total hiking time: 3 hours information Tourist office Langenegg T +43 (0)5513 4101-14 www.langenegg.at

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starting point Lingenau village square destination Lingenau village square itinerary Long tour: 19 stations with forest room, Nagelfluh arena and Bruggmoos as the highlights Short tour: 12 stations chances to stop off for a drink/food inns in Lingenau

family tips

Lingenau – Rotenberg wood thematic trail Rotenberg wood is the property of 170 owners – one of the smallest structured forests in Austria. The thematic trail comprises 20 stations, a forest room, an upland moor, and a natural arena of Nagelfluh. Forest path, root path, woodland path, mud pits and stone steps follow one another.

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Rotenberg wood thematic trail

culture well-being

A detailed brochure is available from the tourist office in Lingenau.

dining out

Difference in altitude: approx. 270 m long tour, approx. 230 m short tour Trail category: white-red-white Total hiking time: Long tour approx. 3 ½ hours, Short tour approx. 2 hours.

hiking with dogs

Out and about with dogs

Man and his best friend can benefit from taking a hike together. Both see, experience and learn new things. Especially when guided by an expert. Trainers Christoph Rüscher and Erwin Kohler have long since “gone to the dogs”, literally! They are also hiking guides, mountain rescuers, agility and companion dog examiners. Together, they offer specific dog training in the heart of the Bregenzerwald mountains, since hiking in the mountains with your own dog can intensify the relationship between man and his dog. Events Guided hikes, crossing of the Alps, alpine trekking, Lake Constance and Alps tour, communication courses, a special type of dog school, kennels information Lexlupo T +43 (0)5515 2311 www.lexlupo.com

dogs must be kept on a leash In the entire area: Andelsbuch, Au, Damüls, Krumbach, Langenegg, Sibratsgfäll Dogs must be kept on a leash in certain areas: Bezau, Hittisau Dogs do not need to be kept on a leash: Alberschwende, Bizau, Doren, Egg, Lingenau, Mellau, Reuthe, Riefensberg, Schoppernau, Schwarzenberg, Sulzberg, Warth public buses Dogs must be muzzled and on a leash. A fare is payable for the dog. cable cars (→ page 9) Dogs are welcome: Bergbahnen Andelsbuch, Damüls, Seilbahnen Faschina, Steffisalp-Express Warth Dogs – only wearing a muzzle and on a leash: Seilbahn Bezau, Bergbahnen Mellau, Diedamskopf, Seilbahnen Sonntag (€ 3) Dogs are not welcome: Brüggelekopf Alberschwende

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There are only a few regions in the world where you can try out and perfect so many different types of sports. Outdoor specialists accompany you to ensure your safety when you go mountain biking, rafting, paragliding, caving, canyoning and climbing.

family tips

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culture dining out well-being

mountain biking & cycling

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Tip: mountain bike map Detailed descriptions of the tours are enclosed in the mountain bike map of Bregenzerwald (available from Bregenzerwald Tourismus, in the tourist information offices and in some sports shops).

mountain biking

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7: tannberg tour Distance: 15.5 km Difference in altitude: 650 m Highest point: 1,792 m Starting point: Schröcken

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8: brüggele-kaltenbrunnen Distance: 11.3 km Difference in altitude: 405 m Highest point: 1,090 m Starting point: Alberschwende

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3: balderschwang tour Distance: 24.5 km Difference in altitude: 700 m Highest point: 1,434 m Starting point: Sibratsgfäll

6: mellental tour Distance: 17.8 km Difference in altitude: 700 m Highest point: 1,325 m Starting point: Mellau

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2: schetteregg tour Distance: 20.2 km Difference in altitude: 580 m Highest point: 1,080 m Starting point: Egg

5: weissfluh tour Distance: 21.4 km Difference in altitude: 795 m Highest point: 1,367 m Starting point: Bezau

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Mountain bike tours for beginners 1: hochhäderich tour Distance: 21.2 km Difference in altitude: 790 m Highest point: 1,520 m Starting point: Hittisau

4: berchtoldshöhe Distance: 20.5 km Difference in altitude: 700 m Highest point: 1,154 m Starting point: Andelsbuch

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The Bregenzerwald is still something of an inside tip for mountain bikers: The wide range of easy and highly demanding tours is exceptional. Many of the trails follow the tracks of the locals’ way of life: to mountain pastures and high mountain pastures, the home of the delicious Bregenzerwald alpine cheese. The following describes 15 recommended tours for beginners, the advanced and professionals.

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Mountain bike tour in the Kanisfluh area

mountain biking ountain bike tours for M the advanced 9: around the mittagsfluh Distance: 28.3 km Difference in altitude: 900 m Highest point: 1,440 m Starting point: Bizau

Mountain bike tour for professionals 15: diedamskopfneuhornbach haus Distance: 25 km Difference in altitude: 1,370 m Highest point: 2,020 m Starting point: Schoppernau

10: schetteregg-schreiberesattel Distance: 38.3 km Difference in altitude: 1,330 m Highest point: 1,526 m Starting point: Andelsbuch

Safety advice Mountain bike routes take you through terrain which requires a great deal of responsibility from the biker. Our recommendations for correct conduct in the mountains: 11: schönenbach-schreiberesattel • Responsible cycling at controlled speeds and at reduced visibility, Distance: 31.5 km especially in bends, since obstacles Difference in altitude: 1,200 m must be reckoned with at all times! Highest point: 1,526 m • Hikers and pedestrians have right Starting point: Bezau of way. Considerate overtaking is done at a walking pace. 12: around the winterstaude • Agriculture and forestry have right Distance: 42.8 km of way on the usable paths. Please Difference in altitude: 1,050 m always close gates behind you and Highest point: 1,080 m respect any temporarily closed Starting point: Egg paths. • Do not leave the planned, sign13: around the kanisfluh posted paths. This helps preserve Distance: 33.1 km natural and wild habitats (→ p. 13). Difference in altitude: 1,200 m • Good planning of a tour takes into Highest point: 1,610 m consideration the degree of difStarting point: Mellau ficulty of the route and the cyclist’s ability. This also includes helmet, 14: damüls tour protective equipment and a techniDistance: 33.8 km cally perfect mountain bike. Difference in altitude: 1,300 m Highest point: 1,800 m Starting point: Au

Package deals on offer Make your selection from our package deals for mountain b ikers. See www.bregenzerwald.at/uk for package deals, which you can also book directly from the website.

mountain biking

family tips barrier free culture

Alpinschule Widderstein Christian Fritz T +43 (0)660 2149207 www.alpinschulewidderstein.com services Transalp, downhill, road bike tours, guided mountain bike tours from easy to difficult, technique training

well-being

Tip: Bike-Parcours Andelsbuch Andelsbuch Tourismus T +43 (0)5512 2565 www.tiscover.at/andelsbuch services On the mountain bike course at Gasthof Ritter, mountain bikers learn how to improve their technique. The course is suitable for both beginners and advanced cyclists.

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Damüls Faschina Tourismus Karl Heinz Bischof T +43 (0)664 5189929 Andreas Erath T +43 (0)664 4182858 services Guided half- and full-day tours, racing bike tours

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Bike Schule & Guiding Bregenzerwald T +43 (0)660 14 29 645 www.die-bike-schule.at services Daily guided bike tours, two levels of proficiency, single trail riding at all degrees of difficulty, freeriding, driving technique courses, bike camps, bicycle rental

hiking

Outdoor Input for Life Lutz Schmelzinger T +43 (0)676 7837878 www.outdoorinput.com services Half or full-day tours from the gentle “sightseeing” category through to the demanding freeride tour, mountain bike adventure days with individual cycling technique training and realisation, GPS data material and rental of GPS equipment with tracks from the Bregenzerwald.

Bike and rucksack tours Silgener Alfons T +43 (0)664 1335206 www.rucksacktouren.com services 2-day bike tour, with a bonfire barbecue and accommodation in a cosy mountain hut at an altitude of 1,428 m; scenic bike tour to the Hörnle pass (day-long tour)

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Cycling technique training and guided Mountain bike and road bike tours “bike guide bregenzerwald” Georg Felder, Karlheinz Kaufmann, Veronika Kaufmann, Werner Geiger, www.bikeguide-bregenzerwald.at services Guided mountain bike and racing bike tours, cycling technique training

cycling

Out and about on the Bregenzerwald cycle path

Most of the villages in the Bregenzerwald are located on expansive valley floors, making them ideal terrain for journeys of discovery by bicycle. Rented bikes are available at various locations. Tried and tested in several towns – and now also possible in the Bregenzerwald: in Egg, Andelsbuch, Bezau, Mellau, Bizau, Schnepfau, Au and Schoppernau, there are rental points where you can easily rent a bike with basket for up to 24 hours. You simply return the bike to any rental point you like.

rental points Egg (Impulszentrum), Andelsbuch (Cable car, village hall, Bersbuch Wälderbähnle station), Bezau (Station, secondary school and Bezau cable car), Mellau (village hall), Bizau (church), Schnepfau (school), Au (village hall, Rehmen church), Schoppernau (village hall, valley station, Diedamskopf) Price: € 1 per hour € 5 for 24 hours information www.nextbike.at

E-bike rentals Sport Fuchs, Au www.sportfuchs.com T +43 (0)5515 2315

Intersport Spettel, Hittisau and Alberschwende www.spettel.at T +43 (0)5513 6341

mani sport, Damüls www.mani-sport.at T +43 (0)699 12 10 96 30

Sport Broger, Mellau www.sportbroger.at T +43 (0)5518 2240

Village hall Krumbach www.krumbach.at T +43 (0)5513 8157

Elektro Vögel, Sulzberg www.elektrovoegel.at T +43 (0)664 41 22 295

Rohrmoostal cycle path The scenic cycle tour leaves the church in Sibratsgfäll in the direction of Rindberg. The road is car-free from the national border. The tour takes you past the impressive Gottes ackerwände as far as the nature reserve. The less fit amongst the cyclists can push their bicycles up the 800-metre slope. The next stage of the tour is flat, and takes you to the Aibele alp which is licensed (midJune to mid-September). 2 km later, you pass the watershed between the North Sea and the Black Sea, and one kilometre on you arrive at the Rohrmoos plot. Here, you can visit Germany’s oldest wooden church. The way back takes you along the same route, but with different views. Cycling time is approx. 2 hours. Apart from 1 km of gravel road to Café Alpenrose, all roads are t armacked. Total distance (one way): 13 km Krumbach cycle path From the direction of Langenegg, the cycle path commences from the Wolfbühl plot, and takes you across Salgenreuthe, Au and Halden into the centre of the village. From here, you can continue to Hittisau or Riefensberg. Total distance (one way): 5 km

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active summer family tips culture dining out well-being

being built, and safety features added. basic data: • Around 10 km • Fine gravel road 3 m in width • Minimal ascents For information pertaining to the status of the construction works and accessibility, please see: http://regio.bregenzerwald.at

hiking

Achtal footpath and cycle path The track of the Bregenzerwald railway between Egg and Doren is being revived: a new footpath and cycle path is opening up the lovely natural landscape of the Bregenzerach. Since Autumn 2012, the buildings of the former “Wälderbahn” are being meticulously redeveloped, the road is

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Egg – Schoppernau cycle path From Egg, the Bregenzerwald cycle path takes you across the former railway line of the Bregenzerwald railway, as far as Andelsbuch reservoir, and continues through Bersbuch. From here, a cycle path runs parallel to the L 200 as far as the start of the village of ReutheBaien. Quiet side streets take you to Bezau. There, follow the cycle path along the L 200 as far as Mellau. Then you need to cross the L 200. In Mellau, the cycle path takes you through the village, to the Mellau cable cars, as far as Hirschau, where an underpass goes underneath the L 200. In Schnepfau, go over the bridge, arriving once again at the left bank of the Bregenzerache, where the most scenic cycle path section along the Bregenzerache as far as Au commences. The cycle path follows the Bregenzerache from the start of Au as far as Schoppernau. Taking it easy, you need about 4 hours for the return journey. Total distance (one way): approx. 30 km

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climbing

Damüls forest rope course

Beginner or expert, young or not so young: the Bregenzerwald’s climbing and rope courses offer the perfect training grounds. Au-Schnepfau climbing garden Degree of difficulty: 3 – 8 Lovely sun plateau, charming schrattenkalk ledge with several routes Schwarzenberg climbing garden Length/height: approx. 30 m Degree of difficulty: 3 – 7 Climbing is free of charge, at your own risk (route topos, equipment rental at Sport Fink, Parking spaces: sports field T +43 (0)5512 2918)

Via ferrata set rental Alpinschule Widderstein, Warth T +43 (0)660 2149207

Schrofenwies climbing garden in Warth Length/height: 20 m Degree of difficulty: 4 – 9 31 secured routes, Via ferrata to practice, children under supervision of a skilled adult, barbeque station Starting point: the car park Schrofenwies Lechleiten, topo available at the Warth-Schröcken tourist office Klettergarten Bürstegg (climbing garden) between Lech and Warth Length/height: 20 m Degree of difficulty: 4 – 8 28 secured routes Starting point: 300 m adjacent to “Bürstegg” service road on Hauptstraße in the direction of Warth, left by the automobile bridge, approx. 20 min. through the woods (elev. gain: 150 m), topo available at the WarthSchröcken and Lech-Zürs tourist offices

culture dining out well-being

Recommended reading “Kletterführer Vorarlberg” (Vorarlberg Climbing Guide) by A. Pasold “Vorarlberger Sportkletterführer” (Vorarlberg Athletic Climbing Guide) published by PANICO Alpinverlag

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K1 climbing hall, Dornbirn 2,000 m2 indoor climbing area, 400 m2 boulder area, 600 m2 outdoor climbing area, climbing courses, taster courses, competitions, therapy programmes information www.k1-dornbirn.at

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Damüls forest rope course and Flying Fox slide Rope courses of various degrees of difficulty are located at heights between 2 and 13 m. You don’t have to be particularly fit. The Flying Fox is the highlight: with its length of 200 m, it connects the valleys of the Bregenzerwald with the Große Walsertal. information Bernd Burtscher/Alexander Schäfer T +43 (0)664 4147137 www.das-seil.at

Flying-Fox Warth On the Flying Fox slide (500 m long, 70 m high, 4 slides) which crosses the border between Vorarlberg and Tyrol, you glide down into the valley – wearing of course the correct safety equipment (helmet, harness, sling, pulley). information Alpinschule Widderstein & Outdoorpoint-Warth Christian Fritz T +43 (0)660 2149207 scheduled by appointment www.alpinschulewidderstein.com

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Aqua rope course Rope course above the water, below the Schwarzenberg climbing garden: abseiling, climbing rock, via ferratas combined with rope course elements. Starting point: Gasthof Ritter, Andelsbuch information Aktivzentrum Bregenzerwald Manfred Fink/Lutz Schmelzinger T +43 (0)676 7837878 www.aktiv-zentrum.at

Schröcken adventure park For beginners and experts. Climbing adventure above water, in the forest, on rocks. 42 rope courses, 3 Flying Fox slides, Climbing at a height of 3 – 15 m, exciting team facilities. information Alpinschule Schröcken Josef Staggl T +43 (0)664 2525200 or +43 (0)664 7575500 www.alpinschule-schroecken.at www.abenteuerpark.net

hiking

Karhorn Warth via ferrata, East and west ridge Length/height: 1,200 m Degree of difficulty: medium to difficult (B to C) Walking time: 2 – 4 hours Difference in altitude: 250 m Starting point/end: ascent with the Steffisalp cable car (walking time to the start, approx. 45 min) – Karhorn peak

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Mindelheim via ferrata in Warth Degree of difficulty: medium Walking time: approx. 2½ hours to the start – from Warth-Lechleiten Difference in altitude: approx. 200 m

climbing

outdoor specialists

Ascent to the Braunarlspitze

The Bregenzerwald outdoor specialists offer both the playful and the adventurous. They offer expert guided tours in the countryside.

Alpinschule Schröcken Josef Staggl T +43 (0)664 2525200 www.alpinschule-schroecken.at services • Climbing for children, introduction to via ferrate for the whole family • Adventure days for children, families and groups, wilderness camp for youths • Canyon tours, tours over several days • Schröcken adventure park, Flying Fox Park Safari • Guided hikes

New: Archery Introduction to the art of traditional archery: hunt using a bow and arrow on a 3-D course. Includes the rental of archery equipment.

Alpinschule Widderstein Christian Fritz T +43 (0)660 2149207 www.alpinschulewidderstein.com services • Canyoning, rafting in a Canadian canoe • White-water swimming at Lechweg, climbing courses, via ferrata tours • Alpine climbing tours, thematic hikes, adventure week • Flying Fox slide outdoor input for life T +43 (0)676 7837878 www.outdoorinput.com services Canoe and (fun) kayak tours on Bregenzerache, guided cave tours in Schneckenlochhöhle, mountain bike tours

Date: to be arranged Place: Andelsbuch, Gasthof Ritter information & registration Aktivzentrum Bregenzerwald T +43(0)676 7837878 www.aktiv-zentrum.at

outdoor specialists

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Outdoortrophy An extreme team competition in the disciplines mountain biking, mountain running, paragliding and white-water kayaking. 17 August 2013 www.outdoortrophy.com

Seven summit tour 7 border mountains, 50 kilometres and approx. 5000 metres elevation gain on a single day. Event proceeds benefit the international relief organisation ROKPA. Date: 7 September 2013 www.7berge.at

culture

Diedams-Challenge Hill Climb mountain biking and mountain running challenge | 1,170 metres elevation gain | 10 km Date: 11 August 2013 www.imwald.at

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Alpine Passion Jürgen Riegger T +43 (0)664 9400515 www.alpine-passion.at services Individual canyoning tours

Holzschopf.com – Outdoor and more Jürgen Strolz T +43 (0)664 3801540 www.holzschopf.com services Canyoning tours for families, beginners and professionals alike; adventure days for children and youths, Group events for companies and clubs, weekend deals including outdoor programme and accommodation

family tips

HIGH 5 outdoor GmbH T +43 (0)5513 4140 www.outdoor.at services Bungee – 106 m, rafting, canoeing, canyoning, outdoor course

active summer

Water sports on the Bregenzerache

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For your orientation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; fishing grounds: Data subjet to change. Detailed maps and information about fishing groud boundaries are available from issuing offices.

fishing grounds

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6: subersach 2 Season: 1 May to 30 September Fishing club: Mittelbregenzerwald Ticket sales: Flyfishing Elmenreich, Egg, T +43 (0)664 4146482 Special features: exclusively fly-fishing

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2: fishing rotach Season: 1 June to 31 August Fishing club: Doren T +43 (0)5516 2018 Ticket sales: village hall Doren Special features: Fly-rod/spin-rod fishing, only fly fishing, no live bait

family tips

5: subersach 1 Season: 1 May to 30 September Fishing club: Mittelbregenzerwald Ticket sales: Flyfishing Elmenreich, Egg, T +43 (0)664 4146482, village hall Egg, Lingenau, Hittisau and the inn Nussbaumer Sibratsgfäll Special features: fly-fishing: in the Sibratsgfäll section, blinkers with one hook without barb allowed.

active summer

1: bregenzerache from kennelbach to lingenau Season: 1 May to 15 September Fishing club: Bregenz Ticket sales: Tourist offices in Alberschwende, Doren, Egg village hall, Krumbach, Langenegg, Lingenau, Riefensberg Special features: ban on live bait, triple hooks

4: bolgenach 2 (with reservoir) Season: 1 April to 30 September Fishing club: Hittisau T +43 (0)5513 620914 Ticket sales: village hall Hittisau Special features: only for guests from Hittisau

hiking

3: weissach 2 Season: 1 May to 15 September Fishing club: Bregenz Ticket sales: Tourist offices Alberschwende, Doren, Krumbach, Langenegg, Lingenau, Riefensberg Special features: Ban on live bait, triple hooks

land & lives

The Bregenzerwald’s rivers, streams and lakes are ideal fishing grounds. Fly-fishermen also discover lovely fishing grounds. The waters in the Bregenzerwald are classified as the trout region. The main fish here is the brown trout, although the odd rainbow trout and grayling can also be found. Day tickets are available for all the listed fishing grounds: prices range between approx. € 15 and € 35. Precise information about fishing limits, minimum fish lengths, fishing ground boundaries, etc. is available from the appropriate issuing offices.

dining out well-being

information Fishing club Mittelbregenzerwald: www.bregenzerach.at Flyfishing Elmenreich: www.elmenreich.com Fishing Association for the State of Vorarlberg: www.fischereiverband-vbg.at

fishing grounds

Fly-fishing in Schönenbach

7: rubach Season: 1 June to 15 September Ticket sales: village hall Sibratsgfäll T +43 (0)5513 2112 8: bregenzerache in egg Season: 1 May to 31 August Managed by: fishing club Egg Ticket sales: village hall Egg, T +43 (0)5512 2216-12 Special features: Only fishing with one angling rod and one bite site allowed, above the waterfall — upriver to property line – exclusively fly-fishing territory. 18 or older, Egg as primary place of residence or guests in Egg (with Guest Card)

9: bregenzerache from andelsbuch to bezau Season: 1 May to 30 September Fishing club: Mittelbregenzerwald Ticket sales: Flyfishing Elmenreich, Egg, T +43 (0)664 4146482 Special features: exclusively fly-fishing 10: bezegg stausee andelsbuch Season: 1 June to 31 October Managed by: T +43 (0)5512 2565 Ticket sales: tourist office Andelsbuch Special features: ticket sales only with fishing permit, ban on live bait

Tip: Garden inn Felder in Bersbuch At the Felder family in Bersbuch, right next to Bregenzerache, families discover a small idyll for passing the time, a beer garden and the chance to bathe in natural water. Fresh trout, smoked trout or trout fried in butter served with home-made potato salad are the specialities offered here. information Family Felder, T +43 (0)664 9551652

fishing grounds

18: bregenzerache in schröcken Season: May to late September Managed by: Fischerei Interessenschaft (fishing club) Ticket sales: tourist office Schröcken, T +43 (0)5519 2670 Special features: day ticket, fishing permit

family tips culture

19: seebachsee – dorfsee warth Season: end June to late September 15: bregenzerache/argenbach in au Fishing club: village Warth Season: early May to mid September T +43 (0)5583 3515 Ticket sales: tourist office Warth Fishing club: Au, T +43 (0)5515 2288 Special features: day ticket, fishing Ticket sales: tourist office Au, fish permit pond Au, Hotel Krone in Au

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14: bregenzerache in schnepfau Season: April to September Ticket sales: at the village hall – for residents and guests with 3-day min. length of stay T +43 (0)5518 2114

active summer

13: bregenzerache in mellau Season: 1 May to 30 September Fishing supervisor: Bertram Haller T +43 (0)5518 2875 Ticket sales: tourist office Mellau, Hotel Engel, Lara petrol station

17: bregenzerache in schoppernau Season: mid June to early September Fishing club: Schoppernau T +43 (0)5515 2495 Ticket sales: tourist office Schoppernau

hiking

12: bizauer bach Season: 1 May to 30 September Managed by: fishing club Bezau/ Reuthe Ticket sales: tourist office Bizau, T +43 (0)5514 2129 Special features: only guests in Bizau from 3 nights’accommodation

16: krumbach with bregetzbach and argenbach in damüls Season: 16 June to 30 September Managed by: village hall Damüls, Hotel Adler, Damüls, T +43 (0)5510 6210 Ticket sales: village hall Damüls, Hotel Adler Damüls Special features: sold only with guest card/Bregenzerwald Guest Card

land & lives

11: bregenzerache in bezau/reuthe and schnepfau Season: 1 May to 30 September Managed by: fishing club Bezau/ Reuthe Ticket sales: tourist office Bezau

dining out well-being

paragliding

Pleasant thermal conditions enable great flying experiences

The Bregenzerwald flying area (Niedere close to Bezau-Andelsbuch and Diedamskopf close to Au- Schoppernau) is well-known for its laminar upwind and its pleasant thermal conditions. Ever since paragliding started, Bregenzerwald flying school has been training pilots in the perfect terrain for it. The high-altitude sites in Andelsbuch, Bezau and on Diedamskopf present a multitude of opportunities, launching sites in practically any direction, a fantastic view of Bregenzerwald, its mountains, and the region of Lake Constance.

services Training, further training, sale, consultancy, checks Tandem passenger flight with the Bregenzerwald Guest Card: € 90 Tandem passenger flight: € 100 Thermal currents passenger flight: € 125 Taster course: from € 90 information Flugschule Bregenzerwald Jodok Moosbrugger T +43 (0)5514 3177 T +43 (0)664 5127765 (tandem flight reservation) www.gleitschirmschule.at

bregenzerwald golf park

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information Golfpark Bregenzerwald and Golfschule Bregenzerwald T +43 (0)5513 8400-0 www.golf-bregenzerwald.com

culture

Bregenzerwald Golfing School Learn how to play golf with head pro Jan Vonavka. The motto according to the latest teaching and learning methodology is: “The simple way to learn golf”. Includes important tips on driving, strategy, tactics and mental training. The golfing permit is also recognised in Germany and Switzerland.

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The undulating landscape and the numerous little inlets to the Weißach have been perfectly integrated into the game. Artificial lakes and selectively positioned bunkers complement the natural obstacles. Along with the slopes and slants, the corridors and the impressive view, they make golfing in this park into an experience which never fails to leave a lasting impression.

Discount green fee The “Unlimited golfing fun” green fee entitles the holder to a discount of up to 30%, and applies to two 18-hole courses: the Bregenzerwald Golf Park in Riefensberg and the Oberstaufen-Steibis Golf Club. The green fee is available at the founder and partner hotels of the two golf courses. Guests of the golf partner hotels also benefit from discounted green fees at five other golf courses in Vorarlberg.

family tips

The internationally renowned architect Kurt Rossknecht designed the first 18-hole golf course in Vorarlberg in its time between Riefensberg and Sulzberg: not only that – it is one of the loveliest golf courses, nestled as it is in the countryside.

active summer

Bregenzerwald Golf Park in Riefensberg-Sulzberg

indoor & outdoor tennis courts

Indoor tennis court in Mellau

With its indoor and outdoor tennis courts, Mellau has been THE tennis centre in the Bregenzerwald for years. The Hotel Post in Bezau also houses an indoor tennis court and clay courts. The impressive wooden construction is one of the loveliest indoor tennis courts in Austria.

Tennis-Center Mellau 4 indoor courts with granulated surfaces 3 training channels with automatic ball collection 3 outdoor clay courts Tennis courses information Bergbahnen Mellau T +43 (0)5518 2222 www.bergbahnenmellau.com Tennis in Hotel Post Bezau 2 indoor courts 2 roof-top courts 2 clay courts Free play, individual, group and team training according to the TULOT method, tennis package deals information Hotel Post Bezau T +43 (0)5514 2207-0 www.hotelpostbezau.com

51 land & lives hiking active summer barrier free

Climbing, discovering gorges and caves, learning more about herbs, visiting the cows on the farms, riding the “Wälderbähnle” – there is any amount of things for families and kids to do! Heart-felt supervision included.

family tips

culture dining out well-being

rambling with the pram

Herb garden in Holdamoos, close to Au

Au-Schoppernau – in the fragrant herb garden The Holdamoos natural experience illustrates 400 years of alp history. A “Vorsäßhütte” – a mountain pasture hut – dating back 400 years and still in its original condition, a suspension bridge, a small lake and a herb garden boasting over 150 different herbs lie in the middle of the cultivated, natural landscape. This is a gentle ramble on wide paths along the Bregenzerache and through the settled region of Au.

starting point Au-tourist office destination Au-tourist office itinerary Au-Argenau (tourist office, 810 m) – Rehmen – direction to Schoppernau via Halde to Holdamoos (890 m) – Lebernau – Lugen – Au centre of town chances to stop off for a drink/food inns in Au rest & play Hazelnut spot, small lake, BBQ station, herb garden, old mountain pasture hut

Difference in altitude: 90 m Trail category: yellow-white Total hiking time: 2½ hours Detailed directions are available from the tourist office.

rambling with the pram

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starting point Bizau-centre of town destination Bizau-centre of town itinerary Bizau-centre of town (681 m) – Oberdorf – Brandegg – Wetzsteinhöhle – Moosrundweg – centre of town chances to stop off for a drink/food inns in Bizau rest & play game reserve, Wetzsteinhöhle (cave)

family tips

Bizau – circular ramble including game feeding The ramble takes you to the Brandegg plot, where you can feed bread to the fallow deer. On a three-minute detour, you arrive at the Wetzsteinhöhle (the cave is not accessible with the pram).

active summer

Game feeding in Bizau

culture dining out well-being

Difference in altitude: 20 m Trail category: yellow-white Total hiking time: 1½ hours

rambling with the pram

Adventure playground next to Almhotel Hochhäderich

Hittisau-Riefensberg – cross-border circular ramble on Hochhäderich This gentle ramble takes you along a wide, secure path right through the Kojental nature reserve, a natural upland moor. The alpine adventure path offers some variety: waterdrawing, barefoot trail, footbridge across the upland moor, information plaque on the “Smugglers’ Trail”. From the Alpstüble Moos, you can take a 3-minute detour to the “Stony Gate” natural monument.

starting point Car park at Almhotel Hochhäderich destination Car park at Almhotel Hochhäderich itinerary Almhotel car park – towards Hochwiesalpe – alpine adventure trail – Alpe Moos – Alpe Kojen – Almhotel car park chances to stop off for a drink/food Moosstüble Riefensberg, Almhotel Hochhäderich rest & play Adventure playground at Almhotel Hochhäderich, alpine adventure trail with barefoot path, water drawing station and other varied stations and information plaques, playground at Alpstüble Moos

Difference in altitude: 40 m Trail category: yellow-white and white-red-white Total hiking time: 2 hours Detailed directions are available from Almhotel Hochhäderich.

rambling with the pram

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starting point Mellau-centre of town destination Mellau-centre of town itinerary Mellau village centre (688 m) – Unterrain – Mellental trail – Buchen pasture – Mellental trail – Unterrain – Mellau village centre chances to stop off for a drink/food Buchen goat pasture rest & play Hüslarbündt playground, swimming pool, bathing in the Mellenbach, visiting the goats and cows on Buchen pasture

family tips

Mellau – hike to the goat pasture This hike along the Mellenbach stream takes you to Buchen goat pasture, home to around 150 goats, 20 cows and a few alpine pigs during the summer. The Mellau village circular path takes you first of all along the Mellenbach. Turn left in front of the new fire station, and walk through the Unterrain plot past the last houses. Stay to the left at the fork, and follow the service route which meanders along the Mellenbach through Mellental. Once you have arrived at Buchen goat pasture, you can still your hunger and quench your thirst over a substantial alpine snack accompanied by a glass of milk.

active summer

On the goat pasture

dining out well-being

Difference in altitude: 172 m Trail category: yellow-white Total hiking time: 1 hour

rambling with the pram

Kalbelesee at Hochtannberg Pass

Warth-Schröcken – from lake to lake The two lakes on the Hochtannberg mountain are your guide on this ramble. The Batzenalpe is a licensed alpine pasture. Here, in the alp museum, you discover what life in earlier times was like. From the Hochtannberg pass, an extended, wide path takes you to the Körbersee, which lies at approximately the same altitude as the Hochtannberg pass. From there, a wide agricultural path takes you downwards across the Batzenalpe to Schröcken.

starting point Schröcken-Hochtannbergpass destination Schröcken centre of town itinerary Hochtannbergpass (1,675 m) – Kalbelesee – Körbersee (1,670 m) – Batzenalpe – Schröcken centre of town (1,250 m) chances to stop off for a drink/food Hotel Körbersee, Batzenalpe (during the alp season from mid/late June to mid September), inns in Schröcken rest & play Short trip in a rowing boat on the Körbersee, brooks, Batzenalpe

Difference in altitude: 450 m Trail category: yellow-white Total hiking time: 2 hours Opening times Alpmuseum T +43 (0)5519 2670

kids’ programme

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Au-Schoppernau: Experience cattle grazing On the Grunholz cattle pasture,

Sulzberg: ponies and horses Pony riding Once you have become acquainted with and groomed the ponies, we go to the riding ground. The children are led on various ponies and may also “lead” a pony themselves. Place: Sulzberg Date: 10 July to 28 August every Wednesday at 4.30 p.m. Duration: approx. 1½ hours Price per child: € 5 information and registration Barbara Baldauf T +43 (0)664 6327820

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Au-Schoppernau: Hut magic and magic herbs The children listen to stories about the very old mountain pasture hut and, in the herb garden, find out which herbs (medicinal plants) can soothe a bee sting, which can make you strong as an ox, and which ones are delicious on bread. Then you cross the fun wobbly bridge to the mysterious hazelnut spot. Place: Au-Schoppernau Meeting point: church in Au-Rehmen Date: 18 July to 22 August every Thursday at 2 p.m. Duration: approx. 2 hours Price per child: included in the Bregenzerwald Guest Card information & registration Au-Schoppernau Tourismus T +43 (0)5515 2288 www.au-schoppernau.at

c hildren can watch how the farmer milks and feeds his cows. They can try out the fresh, “cow-temperature” milk straight away. Place: Au-Schoppernau Meeting point: tourist office Au Date: 2 July to 20 August every Tuesday at 6.15 p.m. Duration: approx. 1.5 hours Price per child: included in the Bregenzerwald Guest Card information Au-Schoppernau Tourismus T +43 (0)5515 2288 www.au-schoppernau.at

family tips

Variety and playful enjoyment are on offer in the form of the supervised programmes held in several villages. There is a great deal of interesting information out there to learn and discover.

active summer

Watching the farmer at work

kids’ programme Ride in a horse and carriage Place: Sulzberg Date: 7 June to 18 October every Friday at 6 p.m. information & registration Baldauf family, T +43 (0)664 9319896 Evening horse and carriage rides Wind down at the end of the day by taking a ride in a carriage pulled by Fresian horses. Place: Sulzberg Date: May to October: every Tuesday at 6 p.m., good weather only Price per person: € 15 information & registration until Monday, 6 p.m. Silke Blank, T +43 (0)664 4411380 Horsing about Pedagogic riding supervision for children between 3 and 10 years of age. Place: Sulzberg Date: May to October every Wednesday between 10 and 11.30 a.m., good weather only Price per person: € 11 information & registration until Tuesday, 6 p.m. Silke Blank, T +43 (0)664 4411380 Schwarzenberg: Horse play hour Fantasies, sensations, movement and play are on the programme for children between the ages of 3 and 10. Place: Schwarzenberg Meeting point: Berchtold Farm, Stangenach 150 Date: 10 a.m. Thursdays, June to Sept. (other times available upon request) Price per child: € 12 information & registration by Wednesday, 6 p.m. Yvonne Berchtold T +43 (0)664 4388422 www.farm-berchtold.at

Egg: Experience life on the alp A short hike, approx. 25 min., leads to the Alp Brongen in the Schetteregg hiking district. Every Friday the alpine herdsman offers visitors a glimpse into everyday life on the alp. He explains everything worth knowing about the production of cheese and other local dairy products. Place: Egg Meeting point: Alp Brongen Date: 10 a.m. Fridays, early June to late August Duration: approx. 1 hour Price per child: included in the Bregenzerwald Guest Card information & registration Egg tourist information office T +43 (0)5512 2426 www.egg.at/tourismus Au-Schoppernau: Forest experience Shrouded by beeches, pines and firs, kids discover the green kingdom: by means of amusing games, children engage all their senses to discover interesting information about indigenous forest animals and trees. Age group: for all children between 5 and 10 interested in the forest Place: Au-Schoppernau Meeting point: valley station of the Diedamskopf cable cars Date: 10 July to 4 September every Wednesday at 2 p.m. Duration: approx. 2½ hours Price per child: included in the Bregenzerwald Guest Card information & registration the day before: until 4 p.m. Schoppernau Tourismus T +43 (0)5515 2495 www.au-schoppernau.at

kids’ programme

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Schnepfau: Treasure hunting by GPS Armed with the coordinates of the treasures, GPS devices guide you to unique places in Bregenzerwald. Place: Schnepfau Meeting point: Outdoor input, Schnepfau Date: 15 May to 15 October Programme: guided GPS treasure hunt including rented GPS equipment Price per person: from € 19 information & registration the day before: Outdoor input, Lutz Schmelzinger T +43 (0)676 7837820 www.outdoorinput.com

family tips culture well-being

Geocaches on the Bödele Armed with a GPS device or smartphone, you set off on a treasure hunt in the Bödele hiking area. Tip: a special geocache – the “Tschröuwe-Galari”. Precise coordinates: www.geocaching.com

dining out

Au-Schoppernau & Warth-Schröcken: Adventure Day A day full of sights and sounds: abseil training, the Flying Fox slide, barbequing, etc. (for children between 7 and 15 years of age) Places: Au-Schoppernau and WarthSchröcken Date: 10 July to 4 September every Wednesday Meeting point: 8.30 a.m. at the tourist office in Au, 8.45 a.m. at the tourist office in Schoppenau, 9 a.m. at the tourist office in Schröcken and Warth Return: approx. 4 p.m. Price per child: € 19, including equipment, barbeque sausages and transfer for guest children from Au-Schoppernau and Warth-Schröcken, € 30 for children from other places Equipment required: rucksack, full water bottle, climbing boots, rainwear information & registration by 12 noon on Tuesday (in the tourist offices) Warth, T +43 (0)5583 35150, Schröcken, T +43 (0)5519 2670, Au, T +43 (0)5515 2288, Schoppernau, T +43 (0)5515 2495 www.au-schoppernau.at and www.warth-schroecken.at

active summer

Adventure day in Schröcken

kids’ programme Mellau: Children-Climbing and crossing a gorge Hiking guide Hans shows children how to cross a gorge and how to climb safely. Meeting point: Mellau cable car valley station Date: 1 July to 9 September, every Monday at 1 p.m. Programme: supervised climbing and crossing a gorge (approx. 3½ hours) for children from 5 years of age On bad-weather days: climbing in the mountain rescue hall, meeting point: Mellau tourist information office Price per child: € 3 plus ticket for the cable car information & registration by 10 a.m. on Monday in Mellau tourist information office T +43 (0)5518 2203 www.mellau.at Warth-Schröcken: Mini und Teenie Canyoning An adventure programme for the whole family. Start the tour by jumping into the water! Place: Warth-Schröcken Date: every Tuesday and Thursday (July to September) Price per person “Kids”: € 20 Price per person “Teens”: € 30 information & registration the day before: Holzschopf.com – Outdoor and more T +43 (0)664 3801540 www.holzschopf.com

Au-Schoppernau: Climbing for children Josef teaches children their first climbing moves, several knots and how to abseil down the rock face. (3 hours, Minimum age: 6) Place: Au-Schoppernau Meeting point: 4.30 p.m. at the tourist office in Schoppernau and 4.45 p.m. at the tourist office in Au Date: 7 July to 1 September, every Sunday from 4.45 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Price: € 12 for guest children from Au-Schoppernau. € 24 for children from other places. Included in the price are rented climbing equipment, and a knotted rope for the children to take home with them. Equipment required: climbing boots or trainers with treaded sole, full water bottle, snack information & registration Sunday until 12 a.m.: Alpinschule Schröcken T +43 (0)664 2525200 www. au-schoppernau.at Au-Schoppernau: Felt workshop for children An afternoon for all mouse lovers, big and small. Using water, soap and a felt-making technique, mouse-grey sheep’s wool is transformed into whimsical mice. For children from 6 years of age. Place: Au-Schoppernau Meeting point: 2 p.m. at Filzwerkstatt Marianna Moosbrugger in Au-Rehmer Halde 152 Date: 2 – 4 pm Tuesdays, 25 June to 3 September Price: € 8 per person, incl. materials information & registration Tourist office Au by Tuesday, 10 a.m. T +43 (0)5515 2288 www.au-schoppernau.at

kids’ programme

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Bezau: The “Wälderbähnle” The “Wälderbähnle” is a carefully maintained nostalgic railway which runs between Bezau and Schwarzenberg Stations. The railway, pulled by historical diesel or steam engines, runs on weekends between 19 May and 6 October, and also on Thursdays between 25 July and 29 August. Please see the website for special trips and journeys to witness the bringing down of the cattle. Departure: 10.45 a.m., 1.45 p.m. and 3.45 p.m. from Bezau. Journey time: return trip: approx. 1 hour information & registration Verein Bregenzerwaldbahn – Museumsbahn T +43 (0)664 4662330 www.waelderbaehnle.at

barrier free well-being

Hittisau: Adventure morning for children in the Women’s Museum Pedagogically sound, informative and, above all, fun: the children’s programme is concerned with the subject of the relevant exhibition. For children from 6 years of age. Place: Women’s Museum in Hittisau Date: mid-July to mid-September, every Thursday from 10 to 12 a.m. Price per child: € 4

information & registration Hittisau Tourismus T +43 (0)5513 6209-50 www.frauenmuseum.at

family tips

Au-Schoppernau: Didi’s children’s adventure land The mountain station of the Diedamskopf cable car boasts a supervised children’s adventure land with a surface area of 300 m2. Opening times: 10 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. every Sat, Sun and on bank holidays; daily from 6 July to 8 September when the cable car is operating, for children between 3 and 8 years of age. There is a parent-child area for children up to 3 years of age. Price per child: € 1.50/h, free for guest children from Au-Schoppernau. information Bergbahnen Diedamskopf T +43 (0)5515 4110-0 www.diedamskopf.at

active summer

The Wälderbähnle on its way from Andelsbuch-Bersbuch to Bezau

dairy farming up close

The family-run dairy operation Molke Metzler in Egg

The project NATURHAUTNAH (NATURE HANDS ON) allows visitors to experience up close the world of the farm and everything that comes with it. Tasty treats from the farm and the region, and refreshing fruit whey drinks can be tasted following a guided tour of the Molke Metzler family-run enterprise. The project NATURHAUTNAH has created a place for energy-efficient and sustainable farming where visitors can experience all agricultural processes up close and in person. Visitors can grasp, literally and figuratively, life at the farm and everything that it involves or creates; an experience that inspires an appetite for nature. From the imposing cow pens and the turbulent goat romping house with its visitor gallery, to the small animal cuddling zone, the herb garden, the high-tech cooling and heating system, through to the cheese production, on to whey-based cosmetic processing and the farm shop with its choice range on offer: there is nothing to hide.

dairy tour dairy farming up close Individual visitors with cheese buffet and whey drinks: € 13.50* with small tasting selection: € 6.50* Groups (12 or more persons) with cheese buffet and whey drinks: € 12.50* with small tasting selection: € 5.50* Preschool and school classes 14 or under, accompanied by an adult: € 4 Milking goats and cows Minimum of 2, maximum of 6 persons with brunch or cheese buffet and whey drinks: € 25* Start: 6 a.m. or 6 p.m. Duration: approx. 2 hours * free admission for children under six,children 7-14 years of age -50% information & reservations Metzler Käse - Molke GmbH Bruggan 1025, 6863 Egg T +43 (0)5512 3044 www.molkeprodukte.com

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information www.energieregion-vorderwald.at

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Experiencing the different faces of energy Under the motto “Energy in agriculture”, interested hikers in the Vorderwald Energy Region can explore various forms of energy, either on their own or as part of a guided tour. The Hittisau Water Trail leads you, for instance, to the energy of water – which can be quiet, refreshing, bubbly, but also roaring and even overwhelming. The trail leads from the Bolgenach reservoir, which was created on the Bolgenach for the Langenegg hydropower station, to the Bartenstein sawmill, which is operated with a water wheel for display purposes. (→ page 26)

On a circuit trail on Rotenberg, walkers can enjoy and learn about the woodland, which is so important for Vorderwald as a source of construction material and energy. From the special forms of agriculture found in Plenterwald to the local tree varieties, particularly the silver fir, to the harvesting of firewood, the region has a wealth of experiences to offer. (→ page 31) Vorderwald’s moors provide an opportunity for an entirely different kind of experience: preserving of the moors means preserving huge stores of CO2 – so the green-house gas remains bound up in the soil and is not released into the atmosphere. Expert moor guides reveal the secrets concealed in Krumbach’s moors. Moving around in nature is a form of energy consumption – yet it is also a source of energy for the spirit. (→ page 102) The Langenegg Energy Portal guides you to various places, where you can experience the spiritual side of energy and more. (→ page 30)

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The Vorderwald “Energy Region” has an ambitious vision: energy autonomy. A key component in its efforts is that people become more sensitive to energy issues and more aware both of their energy consumption and of the sources of the energy they use.

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Energy portals in Langenegg

day trip tips – around lake constance From Vorarlberg, it doesn’t take you long to reach the loveliest day trip destinations for the family in the neighbouring area where three countries meet. Vorarlberg inatura – nature show in Dornbirn With Science Centre: touch, crawl in, try out, play and experiment. information T +43 (0)5572 23235-0 www.inatura.at Boat trip on Lake Constance, Bregenz Sightseeing tours and scheduled trips to numerous destinations on Lake Constance. information T +43 (0)5574 42868 www.bodenseeschifffahrt.at Schattenburg in Feldkirch The medieval castle depicts life during the age of chivalry. information T +43 (0)5522 71982 www.schattenburg.at Toy Museum in Wolfurt The loveliest toys from Granny and Grandpa’s time are lovingly presented here. information T +43 (0)650 5000681 www.spielzeugmuseum-wolfurt.at Switzerland Conny-Land amusement park in Lipperswil (Switzerland) Dolphinaria with sea lions and dolphins, petting zoo, pirate ship. information T +41 (0)52 7627272 www.connyland.ch

Germany Minimundus in Meckenbeuren (Germany) The small world of great attractions. information T +49 (0)7542 9466-0 www.minimundus-bodensee.de Lake dwelling museum in Unteruhldingen (Germany) The reproduced village on stilts depicts daily life during the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. information T +49 (0)7556 92890-0 www.pfahlbauten.de Ravensburg theme park in Meckenbeuren (Germany) The world’s biggest playroom! information T +49 (0)7542 400-0 www.spieleland.com Legoland in Günzburg (Germany) Built from 50 million Lego bricks. information T +49 (0)180 5700 75701 www.legoland.de Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen (Germany) The history and technology of airships. information T +49 (0)7541 3801-0 www.zeppelin-museum.de Skywalk Allgäu – tree-top path in Scheidegg (D) A 540-metre path through the canopy of trees, wobbly bridge and tube slide; adventure playground, barefoot path, barrier-free nature trail information T +49 (0)8381 8961800 www.skywalk-allgaeu.de

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There is a host of things to do in the Bregenzerwald for people with special needs: barrier-free rambling paths and a cable car plus the transfer and care 足service offered by Lebenshilfe Vorarlberg.

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barrier free

culture dining out well-being

barrier-free rambling

Dörnlesee in Lingenau

Between the village square and the swimming pool: wellness in Lingenau Lingenau is located in the gently undulating countryside of the Vorderwald. The hospitable village has won the Vorarlberg Horticultural Competition several times, and has received awards for being a community whose buildings are suitable for the disabled. Lingenau is also well-known for its barrier-free swimming pool with adjacent hotel. It also offers various wellness treatments: from massages through to physiotherapy.

starting & finishing point Lingenau village square (car park) Variant: Vitalhotel Quellengarten (car park) itinerary Lingenau village square (685 m) – Gschwend – St. Annakapelle (669 m) – Vitalhotel Quellen garten – Dörnlesee – village square; signposted as a yellow-white rambling path barrier-free refreshments & wc Hotel Löwen, Gasthaus Traube, Vitalhotel Quellengarten swimming pool Vitalhotel Quellengarten, Lingenau T +43 (0)5513 6461-0 www.bregenzerwaldhotels.at

Distance: 3 km Condition of the path: pavements and roads with little difference in height, all tarmacked

barrier-free rambling

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starting & finishing point Mellau cable cars, car park itinerary Mellau cable cars (705 m) – Engevorsäß (705 m) – Ach bridge towards Hirschau – Schnepfau (734 m, car park) – return via the same way; signposted for the most part as cycle and hiking paths barrier-free refreshments Mellau cable cars, Herwig’s Imbiss with tables outside barrier-free wc Schnepfau village hall (on workdays)

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At the foot of the Kanisfluh – from Mellau to Schnepfau The Kanisfluh could easily give rise to the argument whether this, the Bregenzerwald’s most striking mountain, is more impressive on the curved southern side of Au or on the northern face between Mellau and Schnepfau. On our route, the rocks of the northern face tower up to 1,300 meters above the bottom of the valley. If you take a really close look, you can detect a mosaic of completely different natural habitats.

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View of the Kanisfluh, close to Au

culture dining out well-being

Distance: 10.4 km Condition of the path: tarmacked throughout, more or less level for the most part, with differences in height at stream crossings

barrier-free viewing experience

Taking Bezau cable car for a wonderful view

Viewing experience on the mountain Two mountains are freely accessible by disabled guests by cable car: the Diedamskopf near Au-Schoppernau is one of the loveliest penoramic mountains in Bregenzerwald. A trip to the peak is always worthwhile. Two disabled parking spaces are available right at the valley station. The entrance to and exit from the cable car with the wide 8-seater gondola lift is easily accessible by lift. The restaurant in the mountain station and the sun terrace are also accessible by lift, and the WCs provide barrier-free access. information Bergbahnen Diedamskopf, Schoppernau, T +43 (0)5515 4110-0 www.diedamskopf.at A new, modern cable car leaves Bezau to Sonderdach and the Baumgarten mountain station, which features a panorama restaurant and viewing terrace. All entrances to the cable car and the restaurant are barrier-free. information Seilbahn Bezau, T +43 (0)5514 2254 www.seilbahn-bezau.at

Professional accompaniment for people with disabilities Lebenshilfe Vorarlberg has a branch in Bezau. The team offers transfer services. It also accompanies and looks after disabled guests of any age. services Professional care on an hourly basis by trained employees, Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Price per hour: € 14.41 including lunch, snack, drinks. Excludes transfers. information & reservations Lebenshilfe Vorarlberg, Werkstätte Bezau T +43 (0)5514 4124 www.lebenshilfe-vorarlberg.at Barrier-free establishments in the Bregenzerwald are listed in the Bregenzerwald hotel directory, available from Bregenzerwald Tourismus.

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Traditional, classic, modern. Music, the theatre, exhibitions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for a rural region, the events calendar is anything but provincial! The locations are atmospheric, and pleasantly informal. The surrounding countryside gets in on the act.

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culture

culture dining out well-being

architecture

Contemporary architecture

If a ranking of the most significant architectural regions in the world were to be drawn up today, Vorarlberg would, without a doubt, be in the top ten. However, this doesn’t just mean the significance of the individual constructions, but also their number and density. This phenomenon is comparatively new. Whilst it is true that V orarlberg’s baroque master builders are a fixed feature in specialist literature whenever the Vorarlberg school of architecture or architects are mentioned, they mean the generation born since 1950 which has been influencing the architecture here for about the past 30 years. Without counting the handful of pioneers that preceded them, this amounts to over 60 people: considering the 370,000 inhabitants, this is an amazing number. Such a ratio is only possible in a region where architecture is appreciated, where one in four houses is designed by architects.

From construction artists to architects However, this is the result, rather than the explanation, of a development. “Construction artists” is what the players called themselves at the start since, in the face of a vehement conflict with the “establishment” of the building industry and chamber, the title “architect” was refused. According to one of the pioneers, public appearances, the joining of forces and dialogue were important right from the start. The ideal founded in terms of social p olicy – social, affordable, sustainable, regional – promoted the solidarity of a generation that was searching for new life forms and other ways of cultural expression, that was resisting the sell-out of their land, and that found expression in building. The new type of architecture started off in residential buildings – by way of examining already existing buildings or as a new structure, often for residential groups – and grew into a clear sign of the cultural restoration which soon extended to the economic elite and the public sector. However, as important as this environment was, there are always people who take responsibility, and Eberle, Gnaiger,

architecture

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Buildings worth visiting museums Angelika Kauffmann Museum, Schwarzenberg; Juppenwerkstatt, Riefensberg; Women’s Museum, Hittisau; Franz Michel Felder Museum, Schoppernau. inns and hotels Gasthof Adler, Schwarzenberg; Hotel Krone, Hittisau; Hotel Gams, Bezau; Hotel Post, Bezau; Hotel Sonne and Metzgerstüble, Mellau; Hotel Steffisalp, Warth. schools & kindergarten Bizau; Doren; Egg; Warth. commercial buildings Molke Metzler, Egg; Wood workshop Faißt, Hittisau; Cheese cellar, Lingenau, Werkraum House, Andelsbuch. municipal buildings Village halls in Sulzberg, Langenegg, Andelsbuch, Bizau. churches Alpe Niedere chapel, Andelsbuch.

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Worth a visit It is hard to list remarkable buildings, since many of them are private residential buildings which are not accessible. However, a walk through Hittisau or Schwarzenberg for example, can satisfy your curiosity. The village of Bizau is p articularly suitable for such a walk: it boasts residential buildings from all epochs, estates, buildings for industrial, educational and local authority purposes, as well as inns: together, they form an ensemble which was awarded the ArGeAlp prize.

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Landscape and wooden buildings Located somewhat off the beaten track, the Bregenzerwald was part of this development, although in a way of its own. In contrast to the densely populated, industrial and commercial Rhine Valley with its mainly suburban structure, landscape, nature and rural craftsmanship culture is of great importance in the Bregenzerwald. Outside of the Bregenzerwald, groups of houses and farms dominate, whereas inside the Bregenzerwald it is the single-ridge house (farmers’ palace and parlour → page 76); outside of the Bregenzerwald it is households which commission the building, whereas inside the Bregenzerwald it is the young craftsmen. The Bregenzerwälder have a greater affinity for craftsmanship in general (werkraum → page 72): for example, it is in the carpentry trade that the Kaufmann family of architects has its roots. While, following the initial years, the formal experiment is in demand outside, the tendency towards stringency and sobriety increases inside. Rural pragmatism and the discipline of construction with timber, which is now state-of-theart, appears to be more effective here. Recently, examining the old buildings is also gaining in importance. Above all, however, the new buildings fit in with the surrounding landscape with regard to material, size and proportion. Is it this attitude that shies at the eccentric and that searches for the typical rather than the unique which guarantees this way of building a wide basis? In any case, good carpentry firms now build residential build-

ings which architects in other places wouldn’t be capable of building: it is these houses which graze casually in the field like the cattle which are as typical of the region as the farmhouses and the churches.

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Dietrich, Kaufmann and Ritsch have long since become international stars with chairs at renowned universities.

werkraum bregenzerwald

Werkraum Haus in Andelsbuch, model, opening in June 2013

The culture of building and living is everywhere you look in the Bregenzerwald. The locals have been appreciating the artisan production methods employed in small and medium-sized enterprises since way back when. Reliability, sound finishing and a good design mean that craftsmanship and trade are the largest employers in the Bregenzerwald. Around 40% of the working population are employed in such enterprises. Nowhere else in Europe will you find such a comparable density of workshops. The baroque churches and monasteries created by the representatives of the Au Guild of Master Builders in earlier times, are works of art-historical significance. Today it is the craftsmanship, with its beautifully designed and practical products, that has made a name for itself beyond the region. The Handwerk+Form competition, held every three years for over 20 years now, shows the public how experts from all areas of design cooperate with craftsmen from the Bregenzerwald in order to develop useful objects which do justice to their material and shape.

A house dedicated to craftsmanship Intensive planning took four years – in February 2012, the building works for the new Werkraum Haus in Andelsbuch commenced. The architect of the house is Peter Zumthor, from Switzerland – an internationally renowned architect with close ties to craftsmanship. It was during the building of the Kunsthaus in Bregenz that he met and came to appreciate the craftsmen in the Bregenzerwald Werkraum. Since then, many craftsmen from the Bregenzerwald have been working for the maestro from Switzerland. His design for the Werkraum Haus is based on two ideas: on the one hand, the building serves as a meeting place. On the other hand, it is a large showcase for the culture of craftsmanship in the Bregenzerwald. This idea finds expression in a protruding roof made from wood and a façade made from glass. There is no distinction between inside and outside – the landscape flows through the building. The craftsman community in Andelsbuch is getting a facelift right in the middle of the village. The house is set to open in Summer 2013.

Athens, that the furnishings of a hall of residence in Massachusetts come from Schwarzenberg or that, in 2008, a living unit from Reuthe was visible on the roof of the MoMA in New York. Public relations work, advertising, marketing – the Werkraum uses those advantages which industry has over trade. Yet without a huge budget: instead, it has capital typical to craftsmen – brains and skills, a network, links. And so exhibitions put on by the Werkraum have been presented to an interested public in Vienna, Munich and Paris, for example. A regular topic in the specialist press, the Werkraum has been described as a “landscape of knowledge”. Yet that is not all: the Werkraum has always been involved at local level, such as in training, in schools, in specific construction projects, in dealing with historical building stock. It is a contribution towards the structural change of the region, and an example of social competence. Despite its international reputation, many of its objects are sold to clients in Vorarlberg, with most of them staying in the valley. And so these trades make an important contribution towards the prosperity of the valley community.

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Werkraum Haus in Andelsbuch The Werkraum Haus is a platform for exhibitions and information regarding the culture of craftsmanship in the Bregenzerwald. The advantages of products made by craftsmen are communicated to the visitor. opening times, information & booking Werkraum, T +43 (0) 5512 26386 www.werkraum.at

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Qualities of craftsmanship Work on site, consideration of special cases, direct commissioning, closeness to customers and flexibility are quality standards of this craftsmanship; specialised skills and a creative instinct are par for the course, acquired in a highly developed culture of craftsmanship, naturally handed down from generation to generation. This store of knowledge and skills is maintained and continually extended: raw materials – such as the silver fir – are cultivated to their most exquisite form, small batches in the field of furniture construction open up new markets, the pre-production of construction elements, e.g. in the field of hotel construction, is making progress. The latest manufacturing technologies such as CAM and CNC have been introduced; the finish of coatings, for instance, has been expanded – craftsmanship meets engineering. Hence, it comes as no surprise that you can find kitchens from Hittisau in

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Bregenzerwald Werkraum Since its establishment in 1999, the Bregenzerwald Werkraum, organised as an association, has been providing a platform for innovative craftsmanship in the Bregenzerwald. It currently comprises 85 innovative firms, mainly involved in wood processing, such as joiners and carpenters, but there is also a handful of locksmiths, stonemasons, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians, lighting producers, painters, upholsterers, tailors and cobblers, through to the rather exotic trades of coopers and felt-workers. Most of the firms have up to around five employees, some of them are one-man workshops, and only a few have ten or more employees.

werkraum bregenzerwald

journeys to architecture and the culture of wood

In Andelsbuch power station

There are various ways and means for discovering the peculiarities of the Bregenzerwald’s architectural and wooden culture – either under your own steam, or on a guided tour. Art Nouveau power station During the era of the AustroHungarian monarchy, Andelsbuch power station, opened in 1908, was one of the biggest, most modern power stations of its time. Although Andelsbuch power station has been continuously renewed, renovated and extended over the decades, it still maintains its unique character. Place: Andelsbuch Meeting point: 10 a.m. at the power station Date: every Thursday (except bank holidays) between May and September Programme: guided tour Price: free Registration: not necessary information www.andelsbuch.at

Architecture in Sulzberg Sulzberg and the part of the village known as Thal to the north of the Bregenzerwald are home to several architectural gems: from the Empire-style church, designed by Alois Negrelli, planner of the Suez Canal, through to the “1740 Ichs” (1740 Mes) installation of hair locks which adorns the new village hall. Two new circular paths now lead you to 21 selected buildings and works of art, planned in the most part by renowned architects. As an accompaniment, the “Journeys to Architecture” brochure tells interesting stories: from the time the works originated, what was important to the owners and the architects, how sensitive historical works are preserved and how modern works can come into being. Guided tours with Mayor Helmut Blank are held on certain dates in the summer. information www.sulzberg.at Dates for groups by appointment

journeys to architecture and the culture of wood

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Recommended reading: “Baukunst in Vorarlberg seit 1980” (Architecture in Vorarlberg since 1980), a guide to 260 buildings worth visiting, written by Otto Kapfinger (in German only)

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information & guided tours Hittisau Tourismus T +43 (0)5513 6209-50 www.hittisau.at

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The following can be visited: • Three wooden bridges, including the oldest bridge in Vorarlberg • Three sawmills, from the listed ensemble through to the exportorientated large concern • Workshops, including the only commercially operating master cooper for miles around • Arts centre and fire station – wooden architecture • A biomass power station which provides over 50 local properties with heat

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Wood culture in Hittisau As a raw and building material wood has always played – and still plays – an essential role in the design of living spaces and daily functions in the Bregenzerwald. While wood had lost its significance during the course of industrialisation, today it is enjoying a renaissance. This is particularly true of the Bregenzerwald and Hittisau. Visitors can find out more about wood and the part it plays in the way of life in the Bregenzerwald during rambles and guided tours.

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Carpenters at work

everyday culture

The cheese-makers cast a critical eye

Anyone who allows himself the pleasure of watching cheese being made here – such as in Schoppernau alpine dairy – can understand how close the ties are between rural activities and everyday culture. Alpine dairy The introduction of hard cheese making in the middle of the 18th century not only opened up new sources of income, it also changed the farmers. Initial failures are evidence of how much sweat and tears went into complying with the hygiene standards, into working out the complex production stages and the precise time standards. The alpine dairyman (hard cheese and lace → page 7) became a highly-reputable skilled worker with extensive expertise whose circumstances demanded him to be what we these days call somewhat interdisciplinary. For Franz Michael Felder, the poet from Schoppernau, he is “a jack-of-all-trades: shoe mender, vet, launderer, carpenter, tailor, philosopher and much more”. A century earlier, the valley com-

munity had already proven that its people knew how to help themselves in the face of adversity: in the form of the Au Guild, a new branch of industry was created from nothing: architecture and the building trade. What: from nothing? Even though the background to this movement is unknown, one thing is for sure: it was born from necessity, and the resulting talent shown by the farmers of helping themselves. And the architects’ contribution? Artistic talent (→ page 70) practiced for centuries. Farmers’ palace and parlour However, none of the large buildings actually stand in the Bregenzerwald itself: they are constructed “outside”: “inside” keeps house, tries to increase affluence and displays it with a reserved pride. When, in the early 19th century, agriculture started to prosper – especially in the Vorder- and Mittelwald – new farmhouses were built which were soon known as farmers’ palaces and which, according to the relevant literature, were amongst the most

magnificent in the whole of the alpine region. The log cabin was shingled, windows and doors were finely decorated in line with the Biedermeier period: more than anything else, however, people treated themselves to a panelled parlour, nice and bright thanks to large windows, cosy thanks to the tiled stove and special pieces of furniture. The sofa was one such piece: around the middle of the century, manufacture of this piece exploded, only to dwindle in a few decades: usually manufactured in the evening at home by “laymen”, today they are popular collector’s items (werkraum → page 72). The stoves, too, were special: the artistic tiles came mainly from local potters whose trade flourished during this century.

As a rule, these skills are practiced at home, with the individual members committed to the family. One is surrounded by one’s own craftsmanship. This is also true of the clothing. The local costume stands out amongst all those from the alpine region: ornate, strict, proud – the “Juppe” is the first thing you notice. A four metre-long black piece of cloth is folded into numerous pleats, smoothed in several stages – this is the skirt. It is decorated only with one bright blue band. Then there are the half a dozen different pieces of headgear. The artistically embroidered blouse, which is a good indicator of social standing, is not the end of the magic. Inspired by fashion worn by 18th century courtiers in Spain, the costume still demands poise of the wearer today.

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Decoration and Taste And then there were the covers and textiles: textile processing – first of all weaving, followed from around 1760 by embroidery and lace-making for manufacturers from St. Gallen – soon proved so lucrative that farming was sometimes neglected: a repeated upturn was experienced from 1865 following the introduction of the “Parisian machine”. This can still be felt today: there is something missing in a Bregenzerwald parlour without the white, finely crocheted net curtains.

The magic becomes even more physical when it comes to cooking and eating (→ from page 87). Whatever is produced by the soil and the garden is cultivated: the cheese from the largest silo-free dairy region, for example, is unique. And you can taste the meaning of refinement when you compare local cheese “knöpfle” with cheese “spätzle” from other regions. It is hardly surprising then that the Bregenzerwald has, by far, the most “chef’s hats” (culinary distinction) of all regions far and wide. Or that here, where one in three is employed as a craftsman, this refined everyday culture is a fixed source of income.

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everyday culture

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schubertiade schwarzenberg

Musicians on their way to the Schubertiade concert

The Schubertiade Schwarzenberg is considered the most important Schubert festival in the world. The music of Schubert and his contemporaries harmonises with the rural atmosphere in this choice, lovely village – for an atmospheric effect. 14 – 23 June and 27 August – 8 September 2013 The programme boasts around 50 events: chamber concerts, song recital evenings, piano concerts, readings and master class courses. Every year, exceptional artists and ensembles make a guest appearance in the Angelika Kauffmann Hall, which affords a view of the meadows and mountains. Special Schubertiade buses depart from many places to take visitors to the concerts in Schwarzenberg.

information & ticket sale Schubertiade GmbH T +43 (0)5576 72091 www.schubertiade.at Bregenzerwald Tourismus has compiled attractive deals for visitors to the Schubertiade (hotel + 3 tickets per person). information & arrangements & room reservations Bregenzerwald Tourismus GmbH Impulszentrum 1135, 6863 Egg T +43 (0)5512 2365 F +43 (0)5512 3010 www.bregenzerwald.at/uk

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Details are available from the programme you can order from Bregenzerwald Tourismus. Bregenzerwald Tourismus has compiled attractive package deals for prospective visitors. information & arrangements & room reservations Bregenzerwald Tourismus GmbH Impulszentrum 1135, 6863 Egg T +43 (0)5512 2365 F +43 (0)5512 3010 www.bregenzerwald.at/uk

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17 July – 18 August 2013 Bregenz Festival 2013 will be performing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Magic Flute” on the largest lake stage in the world. The Magic Flute” combines a love story with the major questions of the Enlightenment, presents jolly bird-catcher charm alongside regal vindictiveness and enchants with its music ranging from lively melodies and impassioned arias to breakneck coloraturas and mysterious chorales.

information & ticket sale Bregenzer Festspiele T +43 (0)5574 407-6 www.bregenzerfestspiele.com

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Visit the Bregenz Festival, and stay in the Bregenzerwald: this is easily combined, since it is a mere half to one-hour drive from the Bregenzer wald to Bregenz.

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Performance on the lake

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vorarlberg symphony orchestra

The Vorarlberg Symphony Orchestra

The Vorarlberg Symphony Orchestra was established in 1984. The orchestra has been a guest in the Bregenzerwald with its own subscription cycle every year since 2002. The permanent members of the Vorarlberg Symphony Orchestra comprise professional musicians from Austria, Germany and Switzerland, yet also includes guests from other renowned orchestras. Gérard Korsten has been the principal conductor since 2005. Every season, the orchestra works out up to 12 programmes which are performed at numerous concerts in various towns and villages in Vorarlberg and at the Bregenz Festival. All of the concerts listed here will be held at Angelika Kauffmann Hall in Schwarzenberg. Saturday, 4 May 2013, 8 p.m. Gérard Korsten | Conductor Aaron Pilsan | Piano Friday, 16 August 2013, 8 p.m. Gérard Korsten | Conductor Ilya Gringolts | Violin information & ticket sale Tourismusbüro Schwarzenberg T +43 (0)5512 3570 www.sov.at

Cultural Outings in Vorarlberg Bregenz: Kunsthaus Bregenz, Festival House with its lakeside stage, old town. Dornbirn: inatura with Science Centre, Rolls Royce Museum Rankweil: basilica worth a visit Feldkirch: medieval old town, Schattenburg Montafon: Silvretta high-mountain road Großes Walsertal biosphere park: parish in St. Gerold, Walserstolz house (dairy and cheese making, exhibitions) Cultural trips in the region where Austria, Germany and Switzerland meet Germany: island town Lindau, Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen, medieval wine town Meersburg, Mainau flower island, Birnau monastery, historical council town Constance, Reichenau island (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) Switzerland: monastery and library St. Gallen (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage), Einsiedeln monastery Principality of Liechtenstein: Vaduz, art museum

exhibitions & museums

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Lore Rhomberg – watercolours 9 March until 14 April 2013 Exhibition on the occasion of the 90th birthday of the painter opening times Wednesday to Saturday 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.

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Angelika-Kauffmann Museum Schwarzenberg 4 May – 27 October 2013 “Local history in the museum. Angelika Kauffmann and Schwarzenberg” The early works of Angelika Kauffmann from ca. 1757, created around Lake Constance, are the focus of the exhibition. In addition, further testimonials to Kauffmann’s relationship with Schwarzenberg will be on view, elucidating her broad identity between the love of her country and her place as a citizen of the world. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Schwarzenberg’s Local History Museum, the museum wishes to set into motion a process of reflection about its own history. It was established in 1913 as part of the “Protection of national identity movement”. Once work on the “Wälderbähnle” train commenced in 1900, attracting workers from Trentino, Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary to the Bregenzerwald, the establishment of the museum resulted in a preoccupation with the region’s own identity.

Special exhibition: Swabian children “dahoam und foat” (“at home and abroad”) The objective of the exhibition, which is part of a project about Swabian children, is to provide insights into the world of Swabians/children in a rurally structured community such as Schwarzenberg in the 19th and early 20th centuries. opening times 4 May – 27 October 2013 Tue to Sun 10 to 5 p.m. guided tours for the public Tuesdays 4 p.m., Sundays 10.30 a.m. information Schwarzenberg Tourismus T +43 (0)5512 3570 www.schwarzenberg.at www.angelika-kauffmann.com

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Insights into the history, lifestyle and creative activity are provided by lively museums and exhibitions.

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Angelika Kauffmann, Self-portrait, 1781, Innsbruck, Tyrolean State Museum, Ferdinandeum

exhibitions & museums

Sculpture of the “9bäume” art project in Langenegg

The Women’s Museum in Hittisau Hittisau Women’s Museum is the first and only museum dedicated to women in Austria. Its mission is to visualise and document the creative works of women and women’s (hi)stories. Hittisau Women’s Museum presents changing exhibitions which examine topics from the fields of history, art, architecture, social history, ethnology, craftsmanship, etc. from a female point of view. Attention is paid to switching between or combining regional and international points of view. To accompany the exhibitions, the Women’s Museum offers an extensive supporting programme of individually organised special guided tours, talks, workshops, concerts, readings and film showings. opening times Thur 3 to 6 p.m., Fri 2 to 5 p.m., Sat and Sun 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 to 5 p.m. and other times following prior appointment by telephone: T +43 (0)664 88431964 information T +43 (0)5513 6209-30 www.frauenmuseum.at

9bäume – Langenegg Sculpture Path When you can no longer see the woods for the trees… Initiated by Bregenzerwald sculptor Hanno Metzler and potter Petra Raid, 9 artists each dedicated a week to “their” tree trunk and the subject of wood in 2007 and 2009. The artists from Austria, Italy, Germany and Switzerland each received a tree of their choice: either still standing in the forest, on its side as a trunk, or in the form of wood shavings. “9bäume” is a project which focuses on the individual and which enabled the participants to develop freely, without any restrictions or rules. The result? 18 sculptures lined up along the old Wälderbahn railway track like beads on a string. To accompany the exhibition, a catalogue has been published which is available in the tourist office Langenegg. starting point & car park Disused railway station in Langenegg information www.9baeume.at

exhibitions & museums

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Angelika-Kauffmann Museum in Schwarzenberg 19th century style of furnishing in the Bregenzerwald, Angelika Kauffmann exhibition in the new wing ( → page 81).

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Mesmer’s barn in Alberschwende Agricultural museum opening times upon request information Alberschwende Tourismus T +43 (0)5579 4233

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Alberschwende local history museum Bregenzerwald style of home furnishings: “From flax to linen” opening times upon request information Alberschwende Tourismus T +43 (0)5579 4233

Bezau local history museum A typical residential building, maintained in its original style. It holds national costumes, offers insight into the style of home furnishing in days gone by, and displays a valuable collection of sacral art. opening times with guided tours October to June: Tue 2 p.m., July to September: Tue, Thur and Sat 3.30 p.m., Wed 10 a.m. For further guided tours (including of groups), please register at: T +43 (0)5514 3239 information Bezau Tourismus T +43 (0)5514 2295

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Juppenwerkstatt Riefensberg Visitors to the Juppenwerkstatt Riefensberg can find out how the highly complicated national costume worn by the ladies of the Bregenzerwald is made by coming along to the Juppenwerkstatt. A very special technique is used to make up to 500 pleats in the black dress, for example. The building – former outbuildings of the Krone inn, adorned with a new glass façade, and extending over three storeys – is also worth visiting for its architectural value. opening times May to October Tue 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Fri 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., guided tours following prior appointment information Riefensberg Tourismus T +43 (0)5513 8356 www.juppenwerkstatt.at

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Juppenwerkstatt in Riefensberg

exhibitions & museums Egg Museum Oldest museum in the valley area (founded in 1904). Permanent exhibition (traditional costumes, customs and home furnishings). Special exhibitions with a regional theme. opening times Mid April to late October Thur and Sat 3 to 5 p.m., Fri 2 to 5 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. information T +43 (0)5512 2216-0 www.eggmuseum.at Hittisau alpine dairy farm museum Historical alpine dairy kitchen with cheese-making and milk processing equipment, guided tour and cheese tasting. opening times Wed 10 a.m. with guided tour (reservation required) and following prior request information Hittisau Tourismus T +43 (0)5513 6209-50 Images of 19th century life in Hittisau The life and works of five exceptional personalities all born around 1800 in Hittisau are exhibited. opening times upon request information Hittisau Tourismus T +43 (0)5513 6209-50

“uf m Tannberg” alpine museum in Schröcken Alpine life in days gone by. “Der Heuzug von damals” photo exhibition. Wall charts on the subject of “Swabian children”. opening times June: every Sun from 1 to 4 p.m. July to mid September: every Thur & Sun from 1 to 4 p.m. October: upon request information Warth-Schröcken Tourismus T +43 (0)5519 2670 www.alpmuseum.at Franz Michael Felder Museum in Schoppernau Franz Michael Felder was a farmer, writer and social reformer and is one of the most historically significant personalities from the Bregenzerwald. The exhibition is an exploration of his life and works. opening times Mo 4 to 6 p.m., Thur 9 to 11 a.m., Fri 5 to 7 p.m., Sun 9.30 to 11.30 a.m. groups: reservation required information Schoppernau Tourismus T +43 (0)5515 2495

Tip: Creative workshop by Petra Raid in Langenegg Exhibition of clay works, alternative firing techniques such as raku, smoke firing; workshops opening times upon request by phone T + 43 (0)5513 2365 or +43 (0)6643528522 www.raid-petra.at

cabaret & culture

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Bezau Beatz music from all genres July and August 2013, Tuesday from 9 p.m. Bezau Beatz is a series of open-air concerts ranging from jazz to pop. Bezau village square is the setting for the concerts. The concerts are held on the covered village square whatever the weather. Food and drink are available on the village square. information www.bezau.at/bezaubeatz

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Bahnhof Andelsbuch cultural society Culture is a regular visitor to the “bahnhof”, the converted imperial and royal station in Andelsbuch from the abandoned Wälderbahn. It hosts over 40 events every year. Exhibitions (including the “Long Night of the Museums”), lectures and discussions, fairy story times, lieder evenings and concerts attract locals as well as visitors from Switzerland, Germany and Liechtenstein to the bahnhof events location. It is the objective of those running the bahnhof to bring global culture to Bregenzerwald and, in the form of the bahnhof, to show the world which culture thrives in these parts, be it the art of young avant-gardists or of the artistic craftsmanship of people from Bregenzerwald. Music has proven particularly popular in the bahnhof. It enjoys an international reputation amongst musicians, music agencies and

the media alike. Moreover, it is the birthplace of the most exciting new band to come from Austria at the moment – the Holstuonarmusigbigbandclub (HMBC). information Kulturverein Bahnhof T +43 (0)664 2507789 www.bahnhof.cc

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Cultural initiatives in several towns and villages liven up the events calendar with small yet exquisite programmes. The various folk music festivals are major meeting places.

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Andelsbuch railway station, events location

cabaret & culture

Traditional brass band

48th Bregenzerwald Regional Music Festival in Au 11 – 14 July 2013 Bürgermusik Au is the organiser of the 48th Bregenzerwald Regional Music Festival. Brass-band music will be the motto for the entire village during the whole weekend. Programme preview: Thu: oldies evening and live concert with the band “Seer” Fri: international folk music and a party atmosphere the whole day long Sat: int. national costume meeting, concert competition Sun: procession with the motto of “Au – our village” – approx. 50 bands and national costume groups to participate information www.musikfest-au.at Dorfklang – the sound of the village – in Bizau 3 May 2013 Music and singing can heard in the various pubs throughout the evening. Local music and delicacies specific to the Bregenzerwald provide this evening a very special flair of its own. information www.dorfklang.at

Culture and cheese get-together in Alberschwende 11 July – 22 August 2013 Every Thursday from 7 p.m., entertainment with a supporting programme is on offer in the village square. This offers locals and guests the opportunity to get together for the evening. Alpine dairy farmers, farmers and pub landlords offer regional delicacies. Admission is free. The event is held in the Hermann-Gmeiner Hall in the event of bad weather. information Alberschwende Tourismus www.alberschwende.at Summ’r Hock in Andelsbuch 12 July – 23 August 2013 The Summ’r Hock series of events is organised by a different association from Andelsbuch every Friday from 7 p.m. in the school yard. Each evening has its own motto, with live music and regional delicacies on offer. Thanks to the canopy, Summ’r Hock will be held whatever the weather. Admission is free. information Andelsbuch Tourismus www.andelsbuch.at

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The Bregenzerwald locals are masters in the art of cheese and cheese culture. The Bregenzerwald K채seStrasse with its selection of enjoyable stations is dedicated to the subject of cheese. The chefs in the multi award-winning restaurants and inns also skilfully master the art of cooking.

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bregenzerwald culinary delights region

Alpine dairy in Schnepfau

How come a valley community in which, a century ago, Sunday dinner comprised a sort of wheat flour mash (with maize grits the rest of the week) is now a gourmet region with specialities whose origins are protected and where refined gastronomy is at home in many restaurants?

The Bregenzerwald is an Austrian gourmet region. These days, the word “gourmet” is used all too frequently in advertising: however, the expression “gourmet region” has a specific meaning: it is a registered brand by the Austrian Ministry for Food and the AMA (Agrarmarkt Austria), wishing to remind consumers of regional specialities. The basic prerequisites are that the ingredients come from the region, that production is regional, and that the products are firmly rooted in regional gastronomy. In the Bregenzerwald, this means alpine cheese. Every year, approximately 3,000 tons of alpine cheese are produced in the valley’s 17 dairies. Every year, 200 tons of alpine cheese are handmade by the 90 or more dairy alps every summer. The special thing about this cheese is the silofree milk it is produced from, since only 2% of EU dairy farmers produce in this way, i.e. their cows never eat silo fodder – instead, between May and October, they only eat grass and herbs. During the winter, they only eat the air-dried hay from valley

bregenzerwald culinary delights region

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The passage of this modest alp fare to the current first-class restaurants in the Bregenzerwald – which now use over 50 regional types of cheese – went through a series of changes which demanded quality rather than quantity. These include the 1997 EU Protection of Origin of alpine and mountain cheeses, the establishment of the “KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald” in 1998 as a network of farmers, alpine dairies, craftsmen, publicans and businesses, the “Gourmet region of the Bregenzerwald” in 2005, the Vorarlberg quality marketing “luag druf” in 2005, the inclusion of Bregenzerwald mountain cheese into the “Ark of taste” by Slow Food 2008, and the “Bregenzerwald Gourmet Days” by the KäseStrasse in July 2009. The toughest taste test is still the most regional however: every year, alpine and mountain cheese is judged in Schwarzenberg. The winner at this event is enough to satisfy any gourmet’s taste buds.

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The three-stage farming method (inscribed in the Austrian national UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the spring of 2011) in particular gives the alpine cheese the special flavour which means it can easily contend with the well-known European full-fat cheeses. It has been like this for a long time: back at the start of the 19th century, the inhabitants of the Bregenzerwald sold over 30,000 kg of cheese to the monarchy and abroad. In 1877, Karl von S eyffertitz wrote: “Everywhere – including in the cheerful Vorderwald, in Hittisau and Lingenau, you will meet a unique people in strange national dress in wood-panelled parlours with floors scrubbed white, with shiny door handles – the men busy looking after a dairy breed of cow and overseeing the production of a popular, world-famous fine cheese, the women busy with elaborate whitework embroidery.” However, it wasn’t the producers back then who made all the money – it was the sellers. The Schnepfau local Josef Ambros Moosbrugger, for example, made so much profit from selling cheese that he could afford a city palace in Milan. No doubt he dined differently to the people back home, where cooking over an open fire resulted above all

in simple pan-fried dishes such as the “Riebel” and the “Schwozermuas”. Up on the alp, flour, salt, butter, quark and cheese were the main ingredients. The recipe for “Schwozermus” – named for the woodcutters from Schwaz – was: “Water, flour, salt, dripping – and that’s it!” The lack of bread on the alp gave rise to the “Käsknöpfle”, to “Sig”, known only in the Bregenzerwald and which is caramelised lactose, since they wanted to make a further product from the whey.

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meadows. In the so-called three-stage farming method, following their winter in the barn, the animals graze on the mountain pastures located at medium height (around 900 m) during the spring and the autumn, and on the high mountain pasture during the summer. The mountain pastures are run as a collective, since the farmers only have an average of 12 cows in the barn.

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Alpine dairyman on the alp

The KäseStrasse isn’t a street or a road in the usual sense: it is a union of experts from various disciplines. Throughout the whole year, the members organise events, invite people to tasting sessions, and initiate the uninitiated into the secrets of cheese production. A journey of discovery for the senses KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald is a union of farmers and alps, alpine dairymen and cheese-makers, cheese restaurants and inns, museums and railways, tourist organisations and partners from the fields of trade and industry. The thing that unites all 160 partners in the KäseStrasse network is their dedication to the cultivation and the maintenance of culinary delights and regional culture. Further stations on KäseStrasse include: the modern cheese cellar in Lingenau, where several thousand blocks of cheese are left to mature; the Käsehaus in Andelsbuch, open seven days a week selling the entire range of cheeses and delicacies from Bregenzerwald, the alpine dairy school in Egg (Metzler Molke → page 62), where you can make your own cream cheese in a course.

Bregenzerwälder KäseHerbst Bregenzerwald celebrates its fifth season from mid-September through to the end of October. Visitors can experience the culinary and cultural highlights of autumn here: stopping off in an cheese inn or restaurant, paying a visit to the cheese-makers, experiencing the lively hustle and bustle you get at livestock and farmers’ markets, visiting alpine dairies, testing the wares, etc. information T +43 (0)5513 42870-41 www.kaesestrasse.at

“Rehmer Sennhus” in Au – dairying according to old tradition The cheese wire and cheese cloth are used to make cheese at AuRehmen alpine dairy. In addition to the manually produced cheese, other traditional dairy products are on sale: “Gisg”, Zieger and “Seagen” (a type of whey soup). information Rehmer Sennhus T +43 (0)5515 2995

berggut – good things from the bregenzerwald

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Bergrestaurant Simma, Mellau T +43 (0)5518 2761 www.restaurant-simma.at opening times 15 June to 13 October

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Elsenalpstube mountain inn, Damüls T +43 (0)5510 297 www.elsenalpstube.at opening times 8 June to 13 October

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Panoramarestaurant Diedamskopf, Au-Schoppernau T +43 (0)5515 4110 0 www.diedamskopf.at opening times 30 May to 13 October

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Tip: culinary enjoyment on the mountain 13 to 26 June: asparagus weeks 11 to 24 July: cheese weeks 25 to 31 July: pasta weeks 1 to 28 August: summer salad weeks 29 August to 11 September: mushroom and pumpkin weeks 12 to 25 Sept: fresh meat weeks 26 Sept to 9 October: venison weeks Participating restaurants www.bregenzerwald.at T +43 (0)5512 2365

Almhotel Hochhäderich, Hittisau T +43 (0)5513 82540 www.alm-hotel.at opening times 18 May to 3 November (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

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BERGGUT – good things from the Bregenzerwald is the motto of the new initiative. A special menu informs diners which ingredients come directly from regional farms and manufactories – or even from the restaurant’s own garden!

“Hochalp” hiking hut, Warth T + 43 (0)5583 4250 www.jaegeralpe.at opening times same as Steffisalp-Express cable car (p. 10)

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Really good bread with country-style butter and alpine cheese, a fluffy local pancake made with eggs from happy chickens, a juicy schnitzel from a mountain pig: the limelight is on regional delicacies offered by mountain inns and restaurants catering for day-trippers.

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Good things from the Bregenzerwald

culinary hikes

Step by step from course to course

Step by step from course to course – wander through a lovely selection of Bregenzerwald landscapes and enjoy breakfast, lunch and dessert with regional specialties in a range of mountain inns or restaurants. Bezau (15 June – 29 September) To enjoy your mountain breakfast, take the cable car upwards from Bezau to the panorama restaurant. On the mountain path with a view, you hike to the mountain pasture settlement of Schönenbach, where you are served delicious cheese spätzle in Gasthaus Egender. You take the bus back to Bezau for dessert in Café Katrina. Walking time: approx. 3½ hours Mellau (15 June – 27 October) You take the cable car from Mellau to Rosstelle mountain station. Following your mountain breakfast in Simma mountain restaurant, you hike on the Kanisfluh, one of the most striking mountains to be found in the Bregenzerwald. Once you have made it to the summit, lunch is served in the Alpengasthaus Edelweiß. Following a hike, enjoy dessert in Nazes Hus in Mellau. Walking time: approx. 5 hours

Schwarzenberg (1 May – 31 October) Following a mountain breakfast in Berg hof Fetz, you hike across alpine meadows to Gasthof Alpenrose, where lunch is served. Following the hike back to Schwarzen berg, enjoy dessert in Café Angelikahöhe. Walking time: approx. 4½ hours Schröcken (1 July – 4 September) Walking time: approx. 4½ hours After a short ascent, the day begins with an alpine breakfast on Felle alp. Lunch is enjoyed in Hotel Körbersee next to the idyllic Körbersee. Back in the valley, dessert is served in Hotel Tannberg. Walking time: approx. 4½ hours price per person: € 30 – 48* (depending on the hike) * discount available with the Bregenzerwald Guest Card or a season ticket includes the following - Description of the hiking route and hiking map - vouchers for the meals - Tickets for the cable car and bus information & booking Bregenzerwald Tourismus GmbH T +43 (0)5512 2365 www.bregenzerwald.at

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The “Ms Kaufmann” cookery school is located in the former Gasthaus Engel in Egg, whose substance is almost 300 years old. Located on a historic trading route, the Engel was once frequented by horse dealers, business people and coachmen. It has been lovingly renovated.

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information Karin Kaufmann T +43 (0)676 4954144 www.fraukaufmann.at

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Ms Kaufmann: learning to cook the home-made way “Ms Kaufmann” teaches her students to cook a four-course meal according to old recipes, either sticking to the original or applying contemporary changes. The side dishes always depend on the produce currently available at the market. Everybody participates in each course, either cooking or observing. The individual dishes are eaten as soon as they are ready, served with a suitable wine. Depending on the subject, interesting guests, experienced cooks, farmers or wine-growers are invited along. The cooking session includes the recipes, an aperitif, enjoyment of the meal together – including wine – and a taster for home.

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Ms Kaufmann in her cooking studio

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Tip: The shop The shop and the online shop are perfect for all those who wish to take the pleasurable atmosphere of the cooking lessons home with them. The shop and the restaurants are open every Friday between 3 and 7 p.m. during the school year.

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Regional cuisine with creative touches

The Bregenzerwald has a considerable number of restaurants and inns for those who enjoy good food. This includes a few exceptional addresses. MundArt The term “MundArt” has two meanings in the Bregenzerwald: firstly, it means the special dialects maintained in this region – even the Vorarlberg locals don’t understand it all! Secondly, “MundArt” stands for the creativity displayed by the Bregenzerwald catering trade. For them, it is a matter of etiquette to use produce from local farms in their kitchens: meat, vegetables, herbs and dairy products. The following award-winning Bregenzerwald inns and restaurants have made it their business to adopt “MundArt” as their motto. information www.mundart-restaurants.at

Gasthof Adler in Schwarzenberg T +43 (0)5512 2966 www.adler-schwarzenberg.at Gasthof Hirschen in Schwarzenberg T +43 (0)5512 2944-0 www.hirschenschwarzenberg.at Gasthof Krone in Hittisau T +43 (0)5513 6201 www.krone-hittisau.at Gasthof Gams in Bezau T +43 (0)5514 2220 www.hotel-gams.at Hotel Krone in Au T +43 (0)5515 2201 www.krone-au.at Hotel Post in Bezau T +43 (0)5514 2207-0 www.hotelpostbezau.com Hotel Das Schiff in Hittisau T +43 (0)5513 6220 www.schiff-hittisau.com Restaurant Schulhus in Krumbach T +43 (0)5513 8389 www.schulhus.com

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FranzMichl-Vinothek The cosily furnished wine bar in the centre of Schoppernau has a large selection of fine wines. opening times Tue, Fri, Sat from 4 p.m. information T +43 (0)680 500 1002 www.franzmichl.at

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Enjoyment with Hildegard von Bingen The kitchen in the organic hotel Schwanen in Bizau is orientated towards the teachings of abbess Hildegard von Bingen. Fresh produce from the region and the hotel’s own garden is lovingly prepared into delicious meals. information T +43 (0)5514 2133, www.schwanen.at

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Landhotel Hirschen Hittisau The cuisine in the Hirschen country hotel is light, imaginative – sometimes traditional, sometimes cosmopolitan. Naturalness and localness of the products are par for the course. In summer, the fresh herbs, flowers and berries from the establishment’s own herb garden are used. information T +43 (0)5513 2320 www.landhotel-hirschen.at

Landgasthof Alte Mühle Schwarzenberg Word has spread that the Alte Mühle country inn with its lovely beer garden and cosy ambience is an insider tip. Marietta Wild attaches great importance to using mainly local ingredients in her cooking. information T +43 (0)5512 3780, www.alte-muehle.cc

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Gasthof Alpenblick Sulzberg The restaurant’s location offers some of Vorarlberg’s loveliest views, at an altitude of 1,015 m. It boasts a wonderful view over Bregenzerwald as well as the Allgäu and Swiss mountains. This marvellous view can be best enjoyed from the large sunny terrace. The restaurant is known for good Austrian cuisine and the freshly baked cakes and strudel specialties from its own kitchen. information T +43 (0)5516 2217 www.alpenblick.co.at

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Cosy dining room

exceptional specialties

Gabi Strahammer from Restaurant Schulhus gathering herbs

Moor restaurateurs, Krumbach Four restaurateurs have taken up the topic of “Krumbach’s moorlands” as their mission. As “moor restaurateurs”, they offer their guests guided tours, cookery courses and moorland days to experience the moorland in full. At least one dish related to the moors is included in the menu throughout the year. The seasonal moor drink delights gourmets with various fragrances and aromas from the moor. The Spring and Autumn Moor Weeks are the culinary highlights in the annual calendar of the moor restaurateurs. Gasthof Adler T +43 (0)5513 8156-0 www.adler-krumbach.at Restaurant Schulhus T +43 (0)5513 8389 www.schulhus.com Kur- und Gesundheitshotel Rossbad T +43 (0)5513 5110 www.rossbad.com Krumbacher Stuba T +43 (0)5513 8724 www.krumbacher-stuba.at

literature on the moors Aperitif, two-course meal, walk on the moors and a literary experience with Gotthard Bilgeri; from 6.30 to 9.30 p.m. 6 June: Krumbacher Stuba 4 July: Gasthof Adler 1 August: Kurhotel Rossbad 5 September: Restaurant Schulhus Price per person: € 35 (reservations required) dawn on the moors – breakfast on the moors Sat, Set off at 6 a.m. at the appropriate inn, breakfast at 8 a.m. 15 June: Krumbacher Stuba 13 July: Gasthof Adler 10 August: Kurhotel Rossbad 14 September: Restaurant Schulhus Price per person: € 17 (reservations required) moor weeks 27 April – 5 May and 28 September – 6 October 2013 Culinary delicacies from the moors at the moor restaurateurs. information www.krumbach.at

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Who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t occasionally long for a retreat, for a leisurely pace, for stimuli which pamper the body and soul? The Bregenzerwald is such a retreat. With a great selection of specialised hotels and range of services for your very own well-being.

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health hotels

Wellness with a view

Curative or preventative: if you want to lend your health a helping hand, you are in the right place! Some health hotels also offer wellness days for visitors who are not guests of their establishments. Prior reservations are required for all these programmes. Gesundhotel Bad Reuthe**** Applications using mud, wellness and beauty package deals. Lovely bathing house with a sauna and wellness complex and pool in the garden (open to the public). Reuthe, T +43 (0)5514 2265-0 www.badreuthe.at Relax day 1 mud pack with freshly cut natural mud or herbal bath, 1 all-over body massage, 1 facial exfoliant and mask, including day ticket to the thermal bath and sauna and wellness world, fitness room. Price per Person: € 106 Hotel Schwanen**** Certified organic hotel, Detox and wellness programmes according to the teachings of Abbess Hildegard von Bingen. Bizau, T +43 (0)5514 2133 www.schwanen.at

Vitalhotel Quellengarten*** Active hotel offering sports and relaxation activities. Spacious bathing and sauna complex plus fitness centre (open to the public). Lingenau, T +43 (0)5513 6461-0 www.bregenzerwaldhotels.at Chill-out day 1 back massage, 1 wellness bath of your choice, 1 solarium session, day ticket to the bathing and sauna world, use of the fitness room. Price per Person: € 90 Kur- und Gesundheitshotel Rossbad*** Therapeutic fasting, Moor vitality weeks, Kneipp treatments, wholefood cuisine. Krumbach, T +43 (0)5513 5110 www.rossbad.at Rossbad wellness day Full-body massage, Scottish salt bath in the flotation lounger, affusion stimulating to the skin, use of the sauna and wellness area, including breakfast buffet, lunch and evening meal. Price per Person: € 150

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Romantik Hotel Das Schiff**** enjoyment the metzler way: Lovely, new suites, enlarged relaxation area with pool and large garden, multi award-winning kitchen. Hittisau, T +43 (0)5513 6220-0 www.schiff-hittisau.com

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Damülser Hof**** Wellness & Spa Family-run establishment with an informal atmosphere in a picturesque location at an altitude of 1,500 m above sea level, large wellness area (1,500 m²) with swimming pool, panorama sauna, quiet room, fitness room; applications such as massages, beauty packs and wellness baths. Damüls, T +43 (0)5510 210 www.damuelserhof.at

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Hotel Post****S Modernised in style in 2009. Selected by Geo Saison in 2012 as one of Europe’s ten best wellness hotels. Bezau, T +43 (0)5514 2207 www.hotelpostbezau.com 1 day Active regeneration Relaxation treatment, all-over body massage using aromatic oils (40 minutes), reflexology massage, herbal and whey bath in the crystal and coloured light magnetic field bath. Whole-day use of the wellness area, welcome aperitif, light lunch. Price per Person: € 237

Sonne Lifestyle Resort****S Modern-yet-cosy designer rooms and suites, spacious [comfort zone] spa. Mellau, T +43 (0)5518 20100-0 www.sonnemellau.com Wellness day in the Comfort Zone day spa for him and her 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Long breakfast from the Marktwelt (open daily between 7.30 and 10.30 a.m.); swimming bag including bathrobe, slippers, towel for use during your stay; bathing and nude zone, fitness centre. Wellness vitality snack in the restaurant, snacks and drinks in the tea & juice corner. Deal including voucher worth € 100, can be redeemed against all spa treatments and therapies. Price per person: € 139

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GAMS, Genießer- & Kuschelhotel****S Blossom palace and cocoon with 52 romantic suites. Da Vinci Spa dream world with 2,000 m² of wellness. Bezau, T +43 (0)5514 2220 www.hotel-gams.at

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These hotels are particularly orientated towards pampering their guests with pleasurable and exciting sensations for body, mind and soul. Some also offer wellness days for visitors who are not guests of their establishments. Prior reservations are required for all these programmes.

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wellness hotels Hirschen Wohlfühlhotel**** Informal establishment, adventure swimming pool with panoramic view of the countryside. Schoppernau, T +43 (0)5515 21150 www.hirschen.at Enjoyment day A sparkling welcome, snugly bath robe, pampering facial, relaxing partial-body massage, light wellness lunch, relaxation in the whirlpool, in the sauna, in the steam bath, on waterbeds, total immersion in the panoramic adventure pool (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Price per Person: € 132 Hotel Krone**** Modern wooden architecture, Wellness area, Sky spa in the fourth and fifth storeys with a view of the countryside. Bathing lake with spacious garden and relaxation complex. Indoor pool, wellness treatments. Krone cuisine awarded 1 chef’s hat by Gault-Millau. Au, T +43 (0)5515 2201-0 www.krone-au.at Wellnesshotel Linde**** Wellness and golf hotel with the elegant Sunset spa and a magnificent view. (open to the public) Sulzberg, T +43 (0)5516 2025 www.bregenzerwaldhotels.at Wellness day 1 pack of fresh hay flowers, 1 back massage, day ticket to our Sunset spa with wellness pool, sauna complex, fitness room. Price per Person: € 72,50

Sporthotel Steffisalp**** Modern, elegant hotel with SteffisSpa. Warth, T +43 (0)5583 3699 www.steffisalp.at Wellness day at SteffisSpa Use of vitality pool, bio sauna, F innish sauna, steam bath and infrared cabin. Price per person: € 19 (incl. bathrobe, slippers and towels ) Landhotel Hirschen*** Yoga and herb weeks/days, wellness days, Moon week, forest experience days, base fasting, therapeutic fasting according to Dr Buchinger, talks on herbs, own herb garden and cellar, energising treatments. Hittisau, T +43 (0)5513 2320 www.landhotel-hirschen.at Wellness day 1 massage of your choice, 1 coloured light and sound therapy, 1 bath of your choice, use of the sauna, steam bath and wellness oasis. Price per Person: € 120

Natural cosmetics: Whey products Whey is produced during cheesemaking, is free of fat and protein, and contains numerous nutrients and vitamins. The Metzler family offers a wide selection of whey products: from the stimulating refreshment through to shampoos and creams, etc. (→ page 62) opening times of the hofladen Mon to Fri: 8.30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.; Sat: 8.30 a.m. to 12 p.m. information Metzler Käse-Molke, Egg T +43 (0)5512 3044 www.molkeprodukte.com

water & moor

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Bizau – where water tickles your toes The Ulvenbach flows in the wide valley plane, close to the centre of Bizau. It is here that visitors can walk barefoot over a stretch about 0.6 km in length, take in the natural

Moorbad Sibratsgfäll Mud provides the skin with moisture and lipids, which is appreciated by those suffering from allergies in particular. Mud also alleviates pain, and relaxes the body. It is now possible to try out a mud bath in the natural mud bath in Sibratsgfäll. Surrounded by Mother Nature on all sides, a paddling basin, two mud baths and a natural-water swimming pool await. (Early June to late September) information Sibratsgfäll Tourismus T +43 (0)5513 2121 www.sibra.at

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Riefensberg barefoot course You can train your five motor skills at the 22 stations of the new barefoot and fitness course. This covers coordination, stamina, strength, agility and speed. The best thing to do is to cover the course three times, and to do the coordination and stamina exercises the first time round, to do the agility and strength exercises the second time round, and the speed exercises the third time round. information Riefensberg Tourismus T +43 (0)5513 8356 www.riefensberg.at

sights and sounds of the stream, and admire rare plants. A brochure containing detailed directions is available from the Bizau tourist office. information Bizau Tourismus T +43 (0)5514 2129 www.bizau.at

family tips

Water and moor are amongst the oldest remedies known to man. These destinations combine the playful with the informative and pleasant.

active summer

Barefoot course in Bizau

well-being

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water and moor

Moor seats with integrated information plaques

Vital energy in the moor How do moors contribute to climate protection? What plants and animals are found there? How do we obtain vital energy there? The access points to the Krumbach moors are diverse. Sometimes one may not find one’s way into them right away. The moor guides bring vibrant knowledge and exciting stories to your journey between the centre of the village and the Rossband nature reserve. Bio-mass enrichment of the water-saturated environment means that carbon dioxide has been stored up in the moors since their initial formation. For that reason alone they deserve our respect and protection. At the Moorsitze (moor seats), the nature and history of the moors are brought to life. Beyond the main roads, the Moorraum (moor room) is definitely worth a visit, regardless of the weather. Insiders recommend visiting the Krumbach moors between five and seven in the morning. In the summer, an early walk through the moors promotes vitality. Starting in Rossbad, walkers make their way through the dawn light to Moorsitz Engisholz. Condensation on the cool ground causes the moor to steam and sparkle. Passing by the Wüstegraben

(ditches), the night draws closer again. Your animal spirits will certainly return for good when you kick the water in the cool ditches, if not before. Those who wish can make their way barefoot up towards the Moorraum, where the morning’s vibrancy is sure to be celebrated! guided walking tours of the moor Dates: 6 June to 29 August, every Thursday, 9.30 a.m Duration: approx. 2 hours Price per person: € 5, children under 14: free of charge information & booking Krumbach village hall T +43 (0)5513 8157 www.krumbach.at

Award for Krumbach In autumn 2010, the community of Krumbach was awarded the Binding Prize for the Preservation of the Moors. This award is given to people and institutions that provide excellent services pertaining to nature conservation and the protection of the environment.

vorarlberg

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information Vorarlberg Tourismus T + 43 (0)5572 377033-0 F +43 (0)5572 377033-5 info@vorarlberg.travel www.vorarlberg.travel

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What does Vorarlberg look like? Arrestingly beautiful. The wellformed landscapes inspire you to enjoy walking, hiking and cycling or to relax and unwind. There is always something new to surprise you. In museums, such as the modern Kunsthaus Bregenz. In the towns and villages, where the coexistence of old and new (wooden) architecture will amaze you. Nowhere else in Austria are there so many well built contemporary buildings.Specifically in Bregenzerwald. How does Vorarlberg sound? Supremely diverse. From great opera on the lake stage at Bregenz Festival through to modern sounds, from lieder sung at Schubertiade Schwarzenberg to modern folk music: one can hear it all. And nature plays its accompaniment the entire time.

How does Vorarlberg taste? In a way gratifying to those who value inventively refined regional delicacies. The chefs in the many excellent inns and restaurants dish out sophisticated pleasures. The ingredients come from farms, from Lake Constance, from alpine dairies and local distilleries, from special production sites. How can Vorarlberg indulge you? With respect and cordiality, with high quality and excellent taste. Most of the hotels and pensions are familyrun and have been for generations. Visitors can lodge with attentive hosts at farms, in holiday flats and in private homes in Vorarlberg. We look forward to your visit.

family tips

Vorarlberg, Austriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s westernmost province lends itself well to travel. Everything is in pleasant proximity here. Around Lake Constance and in the mountains there is a wealth of opportunities to discover the unusual, and learn and try out new things.

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Village hall in Andelsbuch

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how to reach vorarlberg

Munich 216 km

Friedrichshafen 62 km Memmingen 103 km

Lake Constance

Altenrhein 41 km Zurich 140 km

Bregenzerwald Klein walsertal

BodenseeVorarlberg Großes Walsertal FL

Arlberg

Innsbruck 200 km

Alpenregion Bludenz A

Montafon CH

Distances to Egg in the Bregenzerwald

By car from the north • Stuttgart-Ulm-Lindau • or München-Memmingen-Lindau from the west via Swiss motorways* via Zurich-St. GallenSt. Margrethen from the south via the routes • Brenner motorway-Innsbruck- Arlberg pass-Lech-Warth** • or Arlberg road tunnel*-BludenzGroßes Walsertal- Bregenzerwald • or Arlberg road tunnel*-FeldkirchDornbirn-Bregenzerwald • Como-San Bernardino-ChurSt. Margrethen*-Bregenzerwald from the east • Innsbruck-Arlberg pass-LechWarth** • or Arlberg road tunnel*-BludenzGroßes Walsertal-Bregenzerwald • or Arlberg road tunnel*-FeldkirchDornbirn-Bregenzerwald

* toll road ** closed in winter

toll sticker required by law A toll applies to the use of Austria’s motorways and dual carriageways. Types of toll sticker: “corridor” toll (border of Germany to the H ohenems exit, close to the Swiss border), 10-day, 2-month and yearly stickers. Information: www.asfinag.at By train The closest railway stations (distances to Egg): • Bregenz (A): 26 km • Dornbirn (A): 20 km • St. Margrethen (CH): 32 km • Lindau (D): 35 km Timetable information: www.oebb.at Onward travel by public buses: www.vmobil.at By aeroplane • Zurich (CH): several direct train connections to Bregenz • Friedrichshafen (D) • Memmingen (D) • Munich (D) • Innsbruck (A) Transfers from the airports to the Bregenzerwald: www.mytransfer.at

Bregenzerwald Tourismus Impulszentrum 1135 . 6863 Egg . Vorarlberg . Austria T +43 (0)5512 2365 . F +43 (0)5512 3010 info@bregenzerwald.at . www.bregenzerwald.at