Gypsum Holes Nature Reserve

[1] Tannegg

1.0 [2] Gaisbühelalpe [3] Chive fields

2.0 3.0 4.0 [4] Bürstegg [5] Wang-Hus

5.0 6.0 6.6

Duration: 2 h 30 m Distance: 6.6 km Difference in altitude: 294 m 558 m Hiking: Fitness:

11

THEMED HIKES

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE WALSER PEOPLE

This route guides you through numerous places of cultural and natural history significance.

At the hike starting point outside the post office, catch the hiking bus towards Oberlech. Get off at the “Schlössle” stop.

Follow the road uphill until an asphalt minor road branches off to the right. Follow this to the [1] Tannegg view point, including barbecue area. From here a well-surfaced trail takes you to the right downhill to the far end of the ravine. Now cross to the other side over a wooden bridge and continue uphill to the [2] Gaisbühelalpe.

Continue up and down across colourful mountain meadows with extensive [3] fields of chives to the Auenfeldsattel saddle. Branch off to the right and follow the hiking trail first uphill, then down again until you come to an Alpine pasture trail shortly before Bürstegg.

Go left as far as [4] Bürstegg where you can take a break and let the unique landscape and peace and quiet work their magic on you.

If the weather’s nice, it's worth descending via the [5] Wang-Hus. Follow the trail across the fields behind Bürstegg that branches off to the right. The trail very soon turns into a narrow trail which descends relatively steeply through the wood to the Wang-Hus and ends right next to the bus stop.

If it's raining, it's worth descending from Bürstegg to the Bodenalpe via the alpine pasture trail. Here too the trail ends at a bus stop.

You can take the hiking bus to return to your starting point.

OUR TIP

Special features: the hiker’s guide book “In the Footsteps of the Walser People” invites you to take a fascinating journey through time on the Tannberg. The author provides interesting information about ancient buildings, abandoned Walser People settlements and legends. Available at €16.50 from Lech Zürs Tourismus.

Places of interest: Wang-Hus – the oldest building in Lech am Arlberg, with the “Ausstellung im Kuhstall” (Cow barn exhibition), which explains shingle manufacture. Bürstegg is a settlement, plus church, formerly inhabited by the Walser people all year round, where now only Alpine pasture farming takes place.

Refreshment stops: restaurants in Lech and Oberlech, Bodenalpe.