Thematic Trail | Hiking

Walser Culture Trail: valley round

Gedeckte Brücke Riezlern Höfle

Photo: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen

Höflerbrücke über die Breitach

Photo: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen

Kapelle Maria vom Steg

Photo: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen

Bruder Klaus Kapelle in Hirschegg

Photo: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen

Bank Poncet

Photo: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen

Schulhaus in der Schwende

Photo: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen

Fatima Kapelle in der Schwende/Riezlern

Photo: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen

Espan Schwende

Photo: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen

Bergahorn Außerwald

Photo: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen

Factbox

Difficulty: mittel
Distance: 15.44 km
Ascent: 261 m
Descent: 395 m
Duration: 4.3 h
Deepest point: 1054 m
Highest point: 1240 m
Condition:

Experience:

Landscape:

  • Höhenprofil

    Cultural hike from Mittelberg to Schwende past historical places telling stories centuries old.

    On this cultural hike, old houses, stables, and other witnesses of time tell their centuries-old story. Information panels with interesting historical information are attached to the buildings and cultural sites on the Walser Culture Trail. Additionally, at each station, you can listen to the audio guide via Outdooractive. The cultural trail, and thus the history of the Walser, is embedded in a unique natural landscape with beautiful panoramic views.

    The start of this cultural hike is in the village center of Mittelberg. From there, past the music pavilion and over Helgenweg to Breitachweg. Along the stream downstream passing the first station of the culture trail, the covered Höflerbrücke. As soon as the Breitachweg ends, take Helgeweg and go up to the main road in the Hirschegg district Ahorn. At the entrance to Rohrweg, behind dense trees, is the Chapel Maria vom Sieg. Beautifully located above the villages past Heubergbahn, Hubertuslift, and Paresennbahn. Continue towards Schwarzwasserbach and after crossing Schwarzwasserbach, there is a special rest bench for a break, the Bench Poncet. Further along the route, there are some interesting places that are not directly on the route but can be integrated as a short detour into the walk. The first is a detour to the Bruder Klaus Chapel in the hamlet Wäldele. Back downstream along Schwarzwasserbach into Innerschwende. At Mahdtalhaus, there is again the possibility to extend the route to visit the covered wooden bridge Riezlern-Höfle. Then back through Innerschwende and past the Fatima Chapel “Maria Dank” and the former schoolhouse in Schwende. The cultural trail continues into Außerschwende to learn something about an Espan, a overnight and resting place for alpine cattle. From here continue towards Hörnlepass in the Outerwald to admire over 620-year-old sycamore maples. From here back to the Bergblick guesthouse in Schwende.

    On the Walser Culture Trail, in addition to the information panels at each station, you can also listen in to the audio guide: open Outdooractive app > map > click on the three-dot button > audio guide or via the link above. Every Tuesday during the summer season, a guided cultural hike with the municipal chronicler Stefan Heim takes place. Participants learn interesting details about customs and Walser architecture in addition to information about the buildings and places on the Walser Culture Trail. For detailed information about Walser culture, the booklet "Original and Unique" is available at the tourist office.

    Naturerlebnis Karte, M 1:12.000. Erhältlich (kostenpflichtig) in der Touristinformation im Walserhaus.

    Grenzenlos Wandern im Kleinwalsertal. Wander- und Tourenkarte mit Wanderführer und Panorama, M 1:25.000. Erhältlich (kostenpflichtig) in der Touristinformation im Walserhaus

    Alpenvereinskarte Bayerische Alpen, Kleinwalsertal BY2, M 1:25.000

    Presented by: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen
    Author: Kleinwalsertal Tourismus eGen

  • Difficulty: mittel
    Condition:

    Experience:

    Landscape:

    		Altitude: 1240 m 1054 m Best season:
    JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
    JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
    Safety instructions:

    EMERGENCY CALL:

    144 Alpine emergencies Vorarlberg
    112 European emergency number (works with any mobile phone/network)
    Equipment:

    Sturdy shoes and hiking poles for steep sections recommended. When necessary, rainproof clothing and head covering.
    More info & links:

    How do you consciously experience nature?

     

    Nature is so much more than the backdrop for unforgettable mountain experiences. It is a habitat for animals and plants. It provides drinking water and supplies us with high quality food. Not only does it provide valuable raw materials such as wood, it also protects against avalanches and mudslides and regulates the climate. It is up to us to support nature in everything that it does for us. One thing is certain, together we can achieve more:

     

    Smart in NATURE

    CONSCIOUS together

    EXPERIENCE foresight

     

    Smart in NATURE

    Take a deep breath and recharge your batteries, be outside and feel free. When we enjoy nature, we are guests in the living room of shy animals and rare plants. If you behave smart, they will be happy to share their living space with you in the future too.

     

    Stay on paths and marked routes

    If you follow the marked paths and routes, you are sure to come to new favorite places. In this way you also respect protected areas, because many animals and plants need special protection. Especially in winter, any disturbance unnecessarily costs the wild animals the strength they need to survive.

     

    Avoiding twilight times

    Standing on a mountain at sunrise is a special experience. The morning and evening hours are also the time when most wild animals are in search of food. If they are disturbed, they get stressed. If it cannot be avoided, please stay on the marked path, do not use a bright headlamp and enjoy the silence.

     

    Stay clean & take rubbish with you

    It goes without saying: You take rubbish with you again, on the mountain and in the valley. Please also organic waste, because it is composted much more slowly at altitude. You can dispose of the rubbish properly at home or in your accommodation – please remember that there are no rubbish bins in public spaces in Kleinwalsertal.

     

    On the natural toilet

    If you are looking for a quiet place, please be at least 50 m away from water. Bury excrement or cover it with a large stone. Use fallen leaves or recycled toilet paper and put the paper back in the trash bag.

     

    On tour with a dog

    Are you always in control of your four-legged partner, even if he gets his nose for marmots, deer or other wild animals? You are both on the safe side on a leash. Keep dogs on a short leash near grazing cattle. If an attack by a grazing animal is foreseeable: leash off immediately. There are numerous dog stations in the valley for the disposal of dog bags. The farmers and alpine farmers thank you because manure in meadows and fields contaminates the feed and makes grazing cattle sick.

     

    CONSCIOUS to each other

     

    Consideration for other athletes and those looking for relaxation

    Everyone loves to enjoy a special piece of earth for themselves. But most of the time we are not traveling alone. No problem, because there is enough space. Allow time, open the way in an accommodating manner, provide support when someone needs help and always give a smile. So nothing stands in the way of friendly cooperation and relaxed enjoyment of nature.

     

    Appreciating the preservation of the cultural landscape

    Alpine landscapes are touching with their contrast: Imposing peaks and natural forests alternate with gentle valleys, well-tended meadows and pastures. In the Kleinwalsertal too, this delightful landscape at three altitudes is no coincidence, but the result of an interplay of natural and cultural landscapes. Behind this is the work of farmers, alpine and forestry as well as hunters. With their work, they ensure that the attractiveness of the recreation and leisure area and the diversity of species are preserved. We already say thank you if we stay on the marked trails and enjoy regional products.

     

    EXPERIENCE farsighted

     

    Safe on tour – for you and others

    Whether on a ski or snowshoe tour in winter or on a mountain tour in summer, anyone who is out and about in alpine terrain has to be well prepared. This includes careful information and tour planning as well as the right equipment. Correctly assessing alpine dangers requires a lot of knowledge and experience. Why not learn from professionals and go on tour with one of the experienced guides?

  • Directions

    Mittelberg – Breitachweg – Höflerbrücke – Chapel Maria vom Sieg – Bruder Klaus Chapel (detour) – Bench Poncet – Covered Bridge Riezlern-Höfle (detour) – School Schwende (detour) – Fatima Chapel „Maria Dank“ – Espan Schwende – Sycamore Outerwald – Riezlern, Schwende

    Start Mittelberg
    Coordinates:
    Geogr. 47.323505 N 10.154645 E
    Destination Riezlern

    Waypoints

  • Public transportation:

    Starting point of the route: Walserbus line 1, Mittelberg bus stop

    Return from: Walserbus line 2, Schwende, Bergblick bus stop

    >>> Walserbus timetable

    Approach:

    Most routes from Germany converge in Ulm and continue on the A7. At the Allgäu motorway interchange, take the A980 section up to the Waltenhofen junction and continue on the four-lane B19 via Sonthofen and Oberstdorf into the Kleinwalsertal. From Austria (Vorarlberg) and Switzerland, you can reach Kleinwalsertal via the Bregenzerwald (Hittisau) – Riedberg Pass – Fischen – Oberstdorf. From Tyrol the fastest way is via the A7 to Kempten and then on the B19 towards Oberstdorf. No motorway vignette is required for the journey into the valley.


    Route Planner

    Park:

    Paid parking spaces at the Walmendingerhornbahn.