Bludenz is the center of a mountain region with five valleys. The Vorarlberg Alpine Region lies in the far west of Austria and includes the Brandnertal, the Alpine town of Bludenz, the Klostertal and the Großes Walsertal Biosphere Park. When planning your trip, you can start by choosing according to your interests: the town’s history, hiking, cycling and winter sports, or nature and cultural attractions in the valleys.
Muttersberg: Hiking Destinations and Art
The Muttersbergbahn cable car takes you up to Muttersberg, which is over 1,400 meters high. From there, you can hike to the FraĂźenhĂĽtte mountain hut and the summit cross on Hoher FraĂźen. The Alpine Art Muttersberg circular trail is also located on Muttersberg: six stations were created by artists. You can therefore choose between hiking destinations and a circular trail featuring artistic installations.
Another route leads to Gamsfreiheit. From there, views extend across the Großes Walsertal, Klostertal and Montafon, as well as toward the Rätikon. The destinations differ in focus: on Muttersberg, you can choose between the Fraßenhütte, the summit cross and art stations, while the summit hike to Gamsfreiheit is described in terms of its views.
Town History and the History of the Earth
The Upper Gate (Oberes Tor) is the historic gateway to Bludenz’s old town and a distinctive landmark for anyone interested in the town’s history. The Bürser Schlucht gorge offers a different perspective on the region: it provides rare insights into recent geological history and has a near-primeval forest of trees.
The route through the BĂĽrser Schlucht nature monument leads back to BĂĽrs via the Kuhloch and takes about two hours. The gorge can be reached on regional bus L580, getting off at either BĂĽrs Dorfmitte or BĂĽrserberg Gemeindeamt. If you plan to travel there by bus, check the timetable before your visit.
Cycling and Winter Sports
The Brandnertal Bikepark offers 30 kilometers of trails across eleven main routes, with numerous variants. The Raggal ski area has three drag lifts and seven kilometers of groomed slopes. These offer different ways to enjoy sports: a trail network with main routes and variants, or a ski area with clearly defined lift and slope facilities.
Nature and Regional Culture
The Großes Walsertal was recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in November 2000 and is considered a model region for sustainable living and economic activity. Endangered species such as the rock ptarmigan and lady’s slipper orchid find habitat in the Gadental European protected area. In Klostertal, the Verwall and Klostertaler Bergwälder European protected areas invite you to hike and explore their unspoiled nature and tranquil retreats in summer.
Regional products and crafts are also part of the region’s character. The shop at the biosphärenpark.haus sells specialty cheeses and cured meats, as well as handicrafts. Walserstolz mountain cheese is made exclusively in the Großes Walsertal using traditional methods by hand. These details offer different points of reference: a shop selling regional products on the one hand, and the origin of a particular mountain cheese on the other.
At Kristberg, the 2.7-kilometer Silberpfad am Kristberg educational trail introduces visitors to the fascination of mining at twelve stations, some of which are interactive. The Frühmesshaus Museum presents exhibitions on the cultural history of Montafon and the history of the local community of Bartholomäberg. The cultural themes thus range from mining to local and regional history.
Choose Accommodation Based on Your Destinations
Next, check whether your accommodation’s location suits the destinations and routes you have planned. This way, you can choose where to stay based on the experiences that matter most for your trip.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Sankt Gallenkirch, Bartholomäberg, Bludenz, Braz, Bürserberg, Dalaas, Damüls, Fontanella, Gargellen, Gaschurn, Klösterle, Lorüns, Nüziders, Raggal, Sankt Anton Im Montafon, Schruns, Silbertal, Sonntag, Thüringerberg, Tschagguns, Partenen, Ausserbraz, Lech, Brand, Stuben Am Arlberg, Blons, Innerbraz, Bürs, Vandans, Nenzing, Bludesch, Sankt Gerold, Gemeinde Ludesch and Buchboden.
To the overview of destinations: Vorarlberg.
