Lechweg - Trekking Austria's Lech River Trail June 25 - July 5, 2022 Trip #2249
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Lechweg – Trekking Austria’s Lech River Trail
June 25 – July 5, 2022
Trip #2249
Formarinsee Lake: Credit by Anja´s is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Trip Overview
The Lechweg is a 125Km, 78 miles, long-distance hiking path along one of the last near
natural alpine river valleys of Austria. It follows the course of the River Lech from its source
at the Formarinsee in Vorarlberg, through the Lechtal Nature Park in Tirol and ends at the
Lech Falls near Füssen Germany.
Our route, over well-maintained paths, includes days in the mountains which rise above the valley and days in the valley wending our way along the turquoise colored river through some pretty villages. We will hike through meadows of alpine flowers, which are also populated by alpine cows. The villages in the Lechtal Valley are famous throughout Tirol for their elaborate frescos painted on the facades of farmhouses. The Lechweg, which crosses over the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Austria, leads up to the royal castles of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. We will hike each day to our next hotel and will refuel at the end of the day with hearty local Austrian specialties like apple strudel, locally made cheeses, sausage and a refreshing beer. Check out this 3 minute and 30 second YouTube video highlighting the Lechweg from start to finish. It is narrated in German. Map: Formarinsee Lake to Füssen Trip Difficulty This trip is rated Moderate (#4) to Vigorous (#5). Please click on the link to view the AMC Trip Rating System: Ratings You must be able to hike up to 8 hours a day, most days are 5 to 7 hours not including breaks, at a moderate pace, with elevation gains of up to 2,500 feet, while carrying enough equipment in your day pack to keep you safe in the event of bad weather or injury.
Daily Itinerary ***Leave the US on June 24th or earlier to arrive in Munich, Germany on Day 1. Day 1 – Saturday, June 25 Arrive in Munich. Transportation from Munich Airport to our hotel in Lech Am Arlberg (Austria) will be provided by private coach/shuttle. Meals included: Dinner Day 2 – Sunday, June 26 Lechweg Stage 1 – Formarinsee to Lech Am Arlberg Today we take the hiker’s shuttle to our starting point and then have a short walk up to the Formarinsee lake and then on to a fabulous viewpoint near the Freiburger hut. From here we will hike back to our hotel in Lech Am Arlberg. We have some post hike options depending on remaining time and weather. 10 miles, 5.5 hours, total ascent 800’, total descent 2200’ Lechweg Trail Rating - Easy Mountain Path Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner Post Hike Options • Free time on your own in Lech Am Arlberg • Take the Rufikopf cable car (7,710’) round trip o Relax or have a late lunch at the Rufikopf Panorama Restaurant o Hike the Geoweg Rufikopf around Monzabonsee Lake with a number of fossils visible in the rocks o Hike to Rüfispitze (8,635’) – YouTube Video Day 3 – Monday, June 27 Lechweg Stage 2 – Lech Am Arlberg to Warth If the weather permits, we are going to take the hikers shuttle to Zürs and take the Seekopfbahn chair lift up to Seekopf Mountain (7,217’). We will hike around Zürsersee lake and then hike back down to Lech. We’ll then continue our hike to Warth where we’ll stop at the local Käserei (cheese factory) for a tasting. Seekopf Mountain to Lech – 3.8 miles, 3 hours, total descent 2,500’ – YouTube Video Lech Am Arlberg to Warth – 6.5 miles, 3.25 hours, total ascent 1,200’, total descent 1,100’ Lechweg Trail Rating - Easy Mountain Path Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4 – Tuesday, June 28
Lechweg Stages 3 – Warth to Steeg
Today we will be hiking to Steeg. The panorama trail takes you past spectacular vistas and offers many
photo opportunities of Lech. We have scheduled
another cheese tasting at a cheese factory in
Steeg.
Stage 3 – 9.3 miles, 5 hours, total ascent 1060’,
total descent 2,060’
Lechweg Trail Rating - Easy Mountain Path
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Holzgau by Einsamer Schütze is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Day 5 – Wednesday, June 29
Lechweg Stages 4, 5 & 6 – Steeg to Holzgau to Bach to Elbigenalp
Today we hike three stages of the
Lechweg. When we get into Holzgau,
look for the painted frescos as seen
above. As we leave Holzgau we cross
over the longest pedestrian suspension
bridge in Austria. At 658’ long, it is
spans the Höhenbachtal gorge. The
bridge is 345’ high for those of you that
don’t like heights.
If we have time, we’ll check out the
Ossuary in Elbigenalp.
Suspension Bridge by psychoQ is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Stage 4 – 3.1 miles, 1.5 hours, total ascent 424’, total descent 460’
Lechweg Trail Rating - Easy Hiking Trail
Stage 5 – 6.2 miles, 4 hours, total ascent 2,410’, total descent 2,550’
Lechweg Trail Rating - Challenging Hiking Trail
Stage 6 – 1.8 miles, 1 hour, total ascent 50’, total descent 130’
Lechweg Trail Rating - Easy Trail
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6 – Thursday, June 30
Lechweg Stages 7, 8, 9 & 10 – Elbigenalp to Stanzach
Today we take on four of the Lechweg’s 15 stages. We’ll visit the mysterious Doser waterfall. This will be
our longest hiking day in hours.
Stage 7 – 4.3 miles, 3 hours, total ascent 450’, total descent 570’
Lechweg Trail Rating - Easy Trail
Stage 8 – 3.1 miles, 2 hours, total ascent 1010’, total descent 900’
Lechweg Trail Rating - Easy Mountain Path
Stage 9 – 3.1 miles, 2 hours, total ascent 975’, total descent 1,185’
Lechweg Trail Rating - Easy Mountain Path
Stage 10 – 1.8 miles, 1 hour, total ascent 140’, total descent 260’
Lechweg Trail Rating - Easy Trail
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7 – Friday, July 1
Lech Stages 11, 12 & 13 - Stanzach to Höfen
Today we hike most of the next three stages from Stanzach to Höfen. The gravel embankments of this
section offer the best conditions for spotting many species of breeding birds, including the sandpiper and
the little ringed plover. We spend the night in Höfen which is just before Wängle, the official end of stage
13.
Stage 11 – 3.4 miles, 2 hours, total ascent
130’, total descent 215’
Lechweg Trail Rating – Easy Trail
Stage 12 – 4.3 miles, 2 hours, total ascent
375’, total descent 460’
Lechweg Trail Rating – Easy Trail
Stage 13 – 4 miles, 2 hours, total ascent
570’, total descent 390’
Lechweg Trail Rating – Easy Hike
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
"Lechweg" by stefanpreis is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Day 8 – Saturday, July 2
Lech Stage 14 - Höfen to Pflach
Today is our last full day in Austria. We finish up the end of stage 13 and hike stage 14. This stage and the final one
is a little more demanding than others that we have hiked so we are going to break them up into two days.
We can relax in Höfen and get a late start to Pflach or head out after breakfast and do some post hike options.
Stage 14 – 7.8 miles, 4 hours, total ascent
1,250’, total descent 1,591’
Lechweg Trail Rating – Demanding Trail
Post Hike Options
• Take the bus to Reutte to visit the town and
the markets
• Take the bus to Reutte and visit the
Ehrenberg Castle ruins
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
“ - -
“Gliding over Ehrenberg Castle" by Frags of Life is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Day 9 – Sunday, July 3
Lech Stage 15 – Pflach to Füssen
Today is our final stage. We leave Austria and enter into Germany. Our hiking journey ends at the Lech
Falls.
Stage 15 – 9.3 miles, 5 hours, total ascent 2,370’, total descent 2,500’
Lechweg Trail Rating – Demanding Mountain Path
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10 – Monday, July 4 Free Day in Füssen - Visit the Neuschwanstein Castle and then free time in Füssen Neuschwanstein Castle by Stephen & Claire Farnsworth is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner Day 11 – Tuesday, July 5 Travel home or continue your journey on your own. Private Coach/shuttle transportation to Munich Airport Meals included: Breakfast Accommodations, Meals and Transportation Our trip, as a group, will begin at the Munich International Airport. From the airport we will take a private coach/shuttle to Lech Am Arlberg in Austria. We plan on using the local hiker shuttle on two days to get to our starting point to start our hikes for the day. The rest of the time we will hike to our next destination. We’ll also take the local buses to get to our castle tour in Füssen. Our return to the Munich International Airport from Füssen will also be by private coach/shuttle. We will be staying at 3* or 4* hotels and guest houses along the way. Several come complete with a small ‘wellness’ area with pools and various kinds of saunas. Continental breakfasts are included. This is usually in buffet form and there are many filling breakfast items available which are perfect for hikers;
e.g. boiled eggs, ham, cheese, fresh bread and muesli. Dinners will either be at the hotel or at a local restaurant. You will be on your own for lunches. You will have opportunities to get food at local markets and a few hotels offer trail lunch to go options. Important information concerning twin bed rooms - A twin bedroom in Austria is usually two mattresses made up as singles but in/on one base unit - NOT two separate beds. Rather too cozy for some people. Some hotels do have a limited amount of twin bed rooms with two separate beds. We will attempt to reserve those, but this cannot be guaranteed. Weather The Alps have generally warm and sunny summers and cold and snowy winters. However, weather in the Alps can change very quickly, particularly at altitude. You should be prepared for all weather eventualities, as even snow can fall in the summer in the mountains, regardless of the time of year. During the time we will be there you can expect average daily temps to be in the mid 60s to low 70s. Of course, temps could be higher or lower. Please have a few extra layers in your pack for cooler days and rain gear. Trip Price The AMC Member price is $2,795. The non-member price is $2,895. To join the AMC (2021 pricing $50 individual, $75 family) click here. A deposit of $1,000 is due with the application. Your balance payment is due March 1, 2022. Price Includes: •Private coach/shuttle transportation - Munich Airport to Lech Am Arlberg at the start of the trip. •Private coach/shuttle transportation - Füssen to Munich Airport at the end of the trip. •All lodging, breakfasts, and dinners •All local transportation during group activities •Baggage transport between hotels (1 bag, 44 pound limit per person) •Emergency medical and evacuation insurance coverage Price Does Not Include: •International Travel to Munich Airport. Trip leaders will advise you and facilitate group travel. At this time, we estimate the cost for a round trip ticket between the East Coast and Munich will be between $900 and $1,200. •Lunches and trail snacks (Lunch supplies can be purchased at local markets) •Transportation to Reutte and admission to the Ehrenberg Castle ruins •Beverages (e.g. coffee/tea, mineral water, alcohol, etc.) •Other personal expenses
While participant airfare is not included in the trip price, leaders may assist participants in making suitable reservations. At a minimum, participants will be told when and where they must join the group for the official start of the trip’s planned activities. Once your air tickets are purchased, they are your responsibility – do not make any non-refundable travel plans until told to do so by the leaders. Please be aware that, in accordance with AMC policy, you are subsidizing the leaders' costs. Beyond this, the leaders are not allowed to realize any profit from this excursion. The trip price also includes an AMC overhead fee to cover the administrative expenses of offering Adventure Travel excursions. The trip fee includes emergency medical and evacuation insurance coverage, which is required by the AMC. It does not include insurance for travel delay, interruption, or cancellation, or for baggage loss. If these possibilities concern you, individual travel insurance is recommended. More information about included emergency medical and evacuation insurance, as well as about optional and recommended travel insurance, will be provided to participants in their formal acceptance letters, which will be sent out when the trip has the required number of accepted applicants. The price for this excursion is based on quotes or estimates obtained at the time the trip was submitted to the Adventure Travel Committee for approval. The final price of the trip will be adjusted in accordance with the best final arrangements we can make. If the trip’s financial position is strong enough at the start, the leaders may make partial refunds during the trip, in the form of payments toward some meals and/or free time activities which would otherwise not be included. Any savings we achieve, as well as any cost increases we incur, will be shared by trip participants. Our cost estimates are conservative, and so a refund is considerably more likely than a price increase. All Adventure Travel trips are run on a non-profit basis and refunds, if any, are issued after the trip’s financial accounting is complete. The trip fee that you pay to us includes coverage for emergency medical evacuation and assistance through an emergency service provider. This is not standard medical insurance or trip cancellation insurance. It will cover up to $5,000 for accident expenses (and sickness expenses only for international trips) and up to $200,000 for emergency evacuation and repatriation. Coverage only includes the dates of travel of the official AMC trip, so coverage for early arrival or trip extension is not included. This coverage includes access to global emergency assistance services that provides the support you or your family may need in a crisis, beyond what the AMC and/or the volunteer leaders may be able to provide. It will also document the incident should a claim need to be filed. Participant Expectations When you participate in this activity, you should be in proper condition for the challenges outlined in this prospectus and equipped with the appropriate gear as stated. You should always be aware of the risks involved and conduct yourself accordingly. You are ultimately responsible for your own safety. Prior to your acceptance as a participant in this trip, you will be asked to discuss your capabilities and experience with us. We may also request references to confirm your fitness level and suitability for participating in trip activities. This trip is designed so that everyone may experience our adventure in Austria and Germany through shared participation in activities and tasks in an organized group environment. AMC travelers are known for their cooperative efforts, and expectations are that all participants will be considerate of others sharing this AMC Adventure Travel experience.
It may happen on any trip that a trip member is or becomes unable to participate in one or more of the
planned activities. Leaders in their sole judgment have the right and obligation to refuse participation in
any activity to any group member for reasons of safety, whether it be of the group or of the individual.
Illness, injury or lack of proper gear or fitness for a particular activity are examples of some conditions
that might result in a participant’s being unable to perform one or more activity. Leaders may try to find
a substitute activity for the trip member, but this may not always be possible.
AMC Mission
AMC Adventure Travel trips are run in a manner supportive of and consistent with the conservation,
recreational and educational principles and mission of the club. The leaders will encourage participant
conduct consistent with Leave No Trace environmental and conservation principles and local regulations.
Application Process
We expect a group size of 12 to 14 trekkers plus your two AMC Adventure Travel leaders. This trip is likely
to fill quickly. If you are interested, you should apply as soon as possible.
1. Complete the online Lechweg – Trekking Austria’s Lech River Trail application.
2. If you would like to complete the optional Supplemental Medical Questionnaire, please request one
and it will be sent to you.
3. Mail your $1000 deposit check, made out the Appalachian Mountain Club to: Brian Tausendfreund, 118
Laurel Street, Greenfield, MA 01301
You will not be accepted until you have completed the four steps above, and the leader has determined
by telephone conversation with you, that you and the trip are a good match. Your check will not be
deposited until the trip leaders confirm the trip has sufficient number of participants and will be run as
scheduled. Deposit checks from wait-listed applicants will not be cashed until we offer them a spot on
the trip AND they accept.
Cancellation Policy
The AMC Adventure Travel cancellation policy is based on the fact that your cancellation may not raise
the cost to the other participants or to the leaders. The published minimum penalty schedule is zero
before November 1, 2021, $200 from November 1, 2021 to April 1, 2022, and no refund if cancelled after
April 1, 2022. If actual costs (expenses already incurred on your behalf and any unavoidable future
expenses that will be incurred as a result of your registration and cancellation) are higher, they will be
assessed instead, unless they can be applied toward another acceptable participant. Should the leaders
be able to replace you, you may be charged a reduced or zero penalty. This will generally not be
determined until after the trip.Terms, Conditions and General Information
Please carefully read the Terms, Conditions and General Information listed below which can be found at
Adventure Travel Trip Information under the “Trip Resources” tab.
•Cancellation Policy
•Leaders’ Right to Change Itinerary
•Leaders’ Expectations of Participants
•Trip Price
•Passports and Travel Documents
•Safety
•AMC Activity Rating System
Leaders
Brian Tausendfreund is a four-season trip leader and instructor
for the AMC NH Chapter. He has completed numerous rounds of
the NH 48, including in winter, and has led trips to each of the
NE 67 summits.
He has co-led trips to the "Tour of Mont Blanc" in 2018 and a
trip to Luxembourg in 2019. He has hiked in the high peaks in
California, Death Valley, Nevada and the beautiful canyons of
Utah. He also travels frequently in Europe. Brian is certified in
Wilderness First Aid via SOLO, and CPR via American Heart
Association.
John English is a four-season hike leader for the AMC NH Chapter.
He has hiked the NH 48, the NH Winter 48, the NE 67 and is working
his way through the ADK 46. John has led at August Camp and
teaches at the NH Cardigan Workshop weekends.
As well as hiking, he enjoys biking, kayaking, and most other
outdoor activities. John has hiked in over 30 of the US National
Parks and Monuments and enjoys travelling both here and abroad.What to Bring Here is a list of what to bring to have a good time on this trip: Required Gear Day Pack with rain cover, large enough to carry what is needed for your safety and convenience Personal first aid Rain gear (both jacket and pants) Water bottles or hydration bladder (at least 2 liters) Hiking shorts or convertible hiking pants Long and short sleeve hiking shirts Light jacket or fleece to layer up/added warmth Hat for warmth, and gloves or mittens Comfortable hiking boots or shoes and socks (liner socks also recommended) Sunglasses Sun hat Sun protection lotion Lip protection balm Head lamp with extra batteries Insect repellant Leisure clothes & shoes for sightseeing and restaurants (moderate amount) Personal toiletries Camera Optional Recommendations Ear plugs Bathing suit Extra shoelaces Trekking poles Gaiters
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