Lechquell Traverse

A guided hut-to-hut hike to the source area of the River Lech in Vorarlberg.

A beautiful mountain journey to the source area of the River Lech: over six days, the Lechquell Traverse leads through one of Vorarlbergs most impressive Alpine regions. Quiet mountain paths, clear lakes, gentle grassy slopes, rugged rock and, with a little luck, sightings of ibex, marmots and chamois make this guided hut-to-hut hike a memorable Alpine experience.

An insider tip

The Lechquell Traverse is an insider tip for walkers who want a multi-day Alpine route away from the best-known classics. At the end of each stage, a hut or inn offers hearty food and the simple, welcoming atmosphere of the mountains.

The route follows the horseshoe of the Lech source streams, passing waterfalls, high Alpine pastures, cols, lakes and panoramic high trails. The landscape changes almost daily, from green and gentle to rocky and distinctly Alpine.

Sörmland Outdoor is your contact for enquiries and information; the tour is operated in cooperation with Bergschule Kleinwalsertal.

Duration	6 days from Sunday to Friday
Location	Lechquellengebirge, Vorarlberg, Austria; meeting point Hirschegg in Kleinwalsertal
Accommodation	4 nights in mountain huts and 1 night at an inn with half board; shared rooms or dormitories in huts; twin or shared rooms at the inn
Group size	Minimum 6, maximum 11 participants
Requirements	Demanding mountain hiking; ascents and descents of up to 1,400 metres; maximum 7–9 hours walking per day; sure footedness, a head for heights and mountain hiking experience required
Languages	English, German
Price per person	965,00 €
Booking code	S33 with a departure specific booking code suffix

Itinerary

Day 1: Bödmen – Gemsteltal Valley – Widderstein Hut – Körber Saddle – Lake Körbersee – Berghotel Körbersee (or similar)

After a short equipment check and tour briefing, we travel by bus to Mittelberg/Bödmen. From there, our hike leads through the Gemsteltal Valley to Widderstein Hut (2,009 m). A gentle descent follows across alpine meadows with magnificent views of the Lechquellen Mountains, leading to Hochtannberg Pass (1,676 m). After a well-earned break, we make one final ascent over Körber Saddle before reaching the beautiful Lake Körbersee (1,678 m).
Elevation gain: 960 m
Elevation loss: 460 m
Walking time: approx. 5 hours

Day 2: Schröcken – Hochgletscher Alp – Fürggele – Lagerzun – Biberacher Hut

We begin with a descent towards Schröcken before climbing via the Fell Alp, passing roaring waterfalls on our way to Hochgletscher Alp and continuing to Fürggele Pass (2,145 m). From there, a stunning panoramic trail leads us towards Lagerzun and finally to Biberacher Hut (1,846 m).
Elevation gain: 800 m
Elevation loss: 650 m
Walking time: approx. 5 hours

Day 3: Lower & Upper Alpschelle – E4 Alpine Trail – Gamsboden – Göppinger Hut

After descending to the Lower Alpschelle in the Großes Walsertal Valley, we continue uphill via the Upper Alpschelle and follow the alpine E4 trail to Upper Gamsboden. From there, we reach Göppinger Hut (2,246 m), our destination for the day.
Elevation gain: 970 m
Elevation loss: 570 m
Walking time: approx. 6 hours

Day 4: Steinmayer Trail – Johannisjoch – Freiburger High Trail – Freiburger Hut

Provided weather conditions are favourable and all participants are sure-footed, we follow the Steinmayer Trail across Johannisjoch Pass (2,152 m), enjoying magnificent views over the Lech Headwaters region. From there, we continue along the scenic Freiburger High Trail to Freiburger Hut, our accommodation for the night.
Alternatively, the route descends first to Zug. From there, we follow the Zug Valley alongside the River Lech and its headwaters before ascending to Freiburger Hut.
Elevation gain: 400 m
Elevation loss: 700 m
Walking time: approx. 7 hours

Day 5: Steinernes Meer – Gehrengrat – Dalaaser Schütz – Lake Spullersee – Ravensburger HutToday we ascend across the rocky plateau known as the Steinernes Meer ("Stone Sea") to Gehrengrat Ridge (2,439 m). This area is home to the largest population of Alpine ibex in the Austrian province of Vorarlberg. From the ridge, we descend along partly steep trails via Dalaaser Schütz to the beautiful Lake Spullersee (1,830 m). A final short climb brings us to Ravensburger Hut (1,947 m), where we spend the night.

Elevation gain: 700 m
Elevation loss: 700 m
Walking time: approx. 6 hours

Day 6: Stierloch Saddle – Gstuät – Bus Transfer to Hochtannberg Pass – Hochalp Pass – Baad

Our final hiking day begins with an ascent to Stierloch Saddle, followed by a scenic traverse to Gstuät and on to the village of Lech. From there, we take a bus to Hochtannberg Pass (1,676 m). One last rewarding climb leads us to Hochalp Pass. After a short break, we begin our final descent through the beautiful Bärgunttal Valley to Baad. A bus transfer then takes us back to Hirschegg, marking the end of an unforgettable trekking adventure.
Elevation gain: 470 m
Elevation loss: 1,380 m
Walking time: approx. 7 hours.

Participants

personer, max. 11

Price per Person

965,00 €

Here you will find the terms and conditions regarding payment and cancellation.

Who is this tour suitable for?

This trip is suitable for walkers with previous mountain experience, good fitness, sure-footedness and enjoyment of multi-day Alpine hiking. The daily stages are demanding enough to feel rewarding, yet very enjoyable with good preparation.
It is ideal for guests who want a classic hut-to-hut tour in Vorarlberg with professional guiding and well-established organisation.

Fitness

Ascents and descents of up to 1,400 vertical metres, with a maximum walking time of 7 to 9 hours per day, depending on the weather, trail conditions and the fitness of the group. Longer breaks are usually taken after around 1 to 2 hours of walking. For tours at altitudes above 3,000 m, prior acclimatisation is recommended.

Technical requirements

These routes are mostly demanding and tend towards difficult mountain trails. The steep, narrow paths partly lead through unmarked, boulder-strewn terrain. Exposed sections, some of which are secured with steel cables, should not be a problem for you. Depending on weather and snow conditions in the mountains, the route can become very challenging. Sure-footedness, a good head for heights and mountain walking experience are essential.

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation

In the mountain huts, we stay in mattress dormitories or shared rooms. All huts have washrooms, and some huts also offer shower facilities. In the guesthouse or hotel, we stay in double or shared rooms with shower/WC; in some cases, shared corridor showers/WCs are used. Solo travellers are accommodated with people of the same gender. Single rooms are not available.

Meals

At the accommodation, we are well catered for with half board. Vegetarian meals are also possible; please state this when booking, no later than two weeks before the start of the tour. Along the way, there are often welcoming places to stop for refreshments, or you can arrange a packed lunch in the morning for an additional charge. It is therefore sufficient to bring enough to drink and a small snack, such as an energy bar, for the start of the tour. Your guide will advise you on the following tour days.

Included in the tour price
Certified mountain or hiking guide

4 nights half board in mountain huts, in shared rooms or dormitories

1 night half board in an inn, in a double or shared room

Transfers during the tour

Additional costs

Drinks, snacks and packed lunch provisions: approx. 45.00 € per person per day depending on personal needs
Individual tips
Travel insurance
Parking fees: 5.00 € per day

Departures

33-27-1 20.06.2027 - 25.06.2027 (waiting list)

S33-27-2   27.06.2027 - 02.07.2027
S33-27-3   04.07.2027 - 09.07.2027
S33-27-4   11.07.2027 - 16.07.2027
S33-27-5   18.07.2027 - 23.07.2027
S33-27-6   25.07.2027 - 30.07.2027
S33-27-7   01.08.2027 - 06.08.2027
S33-27-8   08.08.2027 - 13.08.2027
S33-27-9   15.08.2027 - 20.08.2027
S33-27-10   22.08.2027 - 27.08.2027
S33-27-11   29.08.2027 - 03.09.2027
S33-27-12   05.09.2027 - 10.09.2027
S33-27-13  12.09.2027 - 17.09.2027

Meeting Point

The meeting point is at 11:00 am at Bergschule Kleinwalsertal, Walserstraße 262, 6992 Hirschegg, Austria.

Return

The return to Hirschegg is planned for around 4:00 pm on the final tour day.

Parking

With advance registration, you can park at the Bergschule Kleinwalsertal car park; the parking fee is 5.00 € per day.

Is there still some information missing? Please have a look here!

About the region

The Lechquellengebirge is a small mountain range in the northern Limestone Alps, part of the Eastern Alps. It lies entirely within the Austrian state of Vorarlberg and encompasses the upper reaches of the River Lech, with its horseshoe-shaped headwater streams, as well as the upper part of the Großwalsertal valley.

The landscape of the Lechquellengebirge is characterised by the contrast between the relatively gentle, north-east-sloping Upper Lech Valley, which drains towards the Danube, and the deep and partly steep valleys that drain towards the Rhine. The watershed runs in a horseshoe shape around the headwaters of the Lech, and the steeper gradient towards the Rhine means that (over geologically speaking relatively short periods of time) more and more streams are being claimed by the Rhine, thereby continuously shifting the watershed towards the headwaters of the Lech. A similar phenomenon occurs to the south and west of the Danube’s headwaters (via the River Wutach).

The horseshoe-shaped watershed also encompasses the highest peaks, where the summit area slopes from the south-east towards the north-west towards the Bregenzerwald. The Lech headwaters are largely undeveloped, apart from a few ski lifts and cable cars in the immediate vicinity of Lech and Zürs. Narrow toll roads lead into the valleys, and during the summer a shuttle bus runs from Lech to the Lech headwaters. On the other hand, the conditions for hikers are ideal – thanks to a network of huts linked by a high-altitude trail. This trail follows the entire horseshoe shape of the peaks, but requires, at least until the start of midsummer, some alpine experience.
The River Lech, whose name etymologically means ‘the stony one’, has its source in the Lechquellengebirge from the two headwater streams, the Formarinbach (whose source is near Formarinsee) and the Spullerbach, which flows out of Spullersee and joins the Lech. The Lechquellengebirge comprises many high peaks, the three highest of which exceed 2,700 metres: Große Wildgrubenspitze, 2,753 m; Rote Wand, 2,704 m; and Großer Grätlisgrat, 2,702 m