Unforgettable holiday moments: The Lechweg
The Lechweg is an approximately 125 kilometer long long-distance hiking trail that leads from the source of the Lech at Lake Formarin in Austria to the Lechfall in Füssen. The trail, classified as a Leading Quality Trail by the European Hiking Association, runs through three regions in two countries and delights along the way with highly varied scenic impressions and attractions such as the largest ibex colony in Europe.
The Lechweg is a recently created, modern long-distance hiking trail that can be completed in 6 to 8 days and in several attractive stages. Since the Lechweg begins at an altitude of 1793 , the entire path can only be walked between June and October. The attractive long-distance hiking trail also offers hiking enthusiasts a shortened version (from Steeg to Füssen) as well as many interesting route sections that are suitable for exploring and for less experienced hikers. The Lechweg was the first long-distance hiking trail ever to be awarded the title Leading Quality Trail – Best of Europe by the European Hiking Association. This seal of quality says, among other things, that hikers on the Lechweg can look forward to natural and varied paths, all of which are easy to walk and signposted. In addition, this rating is only given to a hiking trail that ensures a variety of interesting impressions with changing landscape formations.
The Lechweg connects three regions in two countries with their landscapes, traditions and stories. The starting point of the long-distance hiking trail is the source of the Lech near Lake Formarin in the Austrian Arlberg area. Here, in a wooded area that is home to the snowiest ski area in Europe, hikers can look forward to numerous natural beauties. Among other things, you will pass the largest ibex colony in Europe and walk through small, picturesque villages where time seems to have stood still. Hikers follow the course of the Lech in the Lechtal-Reutte nature park region along legendary natural spectacles such as magnificent waterfalls and over the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Austria. In this section, from Steeg to the state border, you walk through a unique wild river landscape that the Lech has shaped over centuries.
The hikers encounter numerous rare animal and plant species, pass many idyllic lakes and get closer and closer to the Lechfall, which is located in the beautiful Allgäu Kneipp health resort Füssen. Bavaria's highest city is surrounded by a beautiful, diverse landscape and impresses with its romantic core and numerous sights such as the High Castle, the St. Mang Monastery and the royal castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. The Lechfall is the official end point of the Lechweg. The König-Max-Steg leads over this impressive waterfall, from which you can admire up close the natural spectacle in which the roaring masses of water plunge into the depths to flow into the Lech Gorge.
The Lechweg represents easy long-distance hiking in an alpine area. As mentioned, it can be hiked in six to eight stages and since it mostly runs downhill, it is suitable for almost anyone with a bit of fitness. If you would like to get to know this attractive long-distance hiking trail, you can try it out on selected stages. The last stage, for example, is well suited for this and leads around 16 kilometers from the Austrian town of Pflach to the Lechfall to Füssen. Wonderful landscape impressions and the view of the royal castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau make this stage, which takes around five and a half hours, a real hiking highlight.
