The colours of autumn in Vorarlberg
Autumn is the time of the year when hikers and nature lovers are spoilt by a panoply of colours and dazzling views. Foodies enjoy culinary autumn treats. Small, exquisite festivals celebrate music and modern dance. City walks and cruises on Lake Constance make for inspiring outings. Wellness hotels and their signature programmes will get you ready for winter.
Date: 28th of July 2026
Hiking with a view
The mixed forests glow in shades of red and yellow. With a little luck, the autumn sky is a brilliant blue. Views stretch far across the region, and temperatures are ideal for hiking. The mountains can be reached either on foot or by cable car. Most lifts operate until mid- or late October.
Those who prefer a leisurely walk can stroll beneath chestnut trees along the shores of Lake Constance in Bregenz. Higher up, on the Pfänder panoramic mountain, a two-and-a-half-hour panoramic hike awaits. The Pfänderbahn cable car operates daily until 2 November, before closing for maintenance from 3 to 26 November 2026. From the mountain ridge at around 1,000 metres, views open up across Lake Constance and towards the mountains to the south. Fountains, springs and the “Wildried” high-altitude moor line the easy, approximately four-hour hike from Kristberg through the Wasserstubental valley to Silbertal in the Montafon. The Kristbergbahn cable car runs daily to the starting point until Sunday, 1 November 2026.
The almost four-hour hike to the 1,877-metre Winterstaude in Bregenzerwald is particularly scenic. The starting point is the Baumgarten mountain station, reached by the Bezau cable car, which operates daily until 8 November. On clear days, the view from the “Niedere” mountain ridge extends as far as Lake Constance.
Culinary hiking and cycling
Several offers combine hiking or cycling with culinary delights. Two mountain restaurants and a four-star hotel are the stops on the Brandnertal culinary hike, which can be booked from Wednesday to Sunday until 18 October, subject to change. Hikers spend around four hours on the trail. In Bregenzerwald, depending on the chosen route, guests can enjoy “Culinary Hiking” on six different routes until no later than 31 October, or “Culinary Cycling” on two routes, also until no later than 31 October. A culinary tour on foot or by bike is offered in Klostertal from Thursday to Monday until 4 October. Each hike or bike tour includes breakfast, lunch and dessert, served at three different locations. The cheese hike to Bernhard’s Gemstelalp in Kleinwalsertal is offered every Wednesday until 21 October.
The taste of autumn
From early September to the end of October 2026, the Vorarlberg culinary regions of the Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve and the Klostertal will be showcasing regional specialities such as game, beef, and alpine and mountain cheeses as part of the ‘Herbst.Genuss.Zeit’ series of events. A mountain breakfast, a street food festival at the Faschinapass, the Klostertaler Gourmet Rally or a cycle tour of local farms – and much more besides – invite you to savour the moment and linger a while.
Wild game weeks and so-called “Schlachtpartien”, which restaurants and inns offer throughout the country, are also typical of autumn in Vorarlberg. The Schlachtpartie specialities include blood and liver sausages, served with dumplings and sauerkraut.
Small, exquisite cultural events
This year’s cultural highlights include top-class concerts for intimate audiences marking the Schubertiade’s 50th anniversary. Emerging talents perform classical music at the :alpenarte festival in Schwarzenberg in Bregenzerwald from 16 to 18 October. The Montforter Zwischentöne take place in Feldkirch from 7 to 29 November. The biennial event “Spotlight Feldkirch” will be held from 8 to 11 October 2026.
Strolling through towns and exploring Lake Constance
For discoveries relating to architecture, culture and history, city walks and individual explorations in Bregenz, Dornbirn, Hohenems, Feldkirch and Bludenz are ideal. The weekly markets are also well stocked in autumn and are excellent places to buy culinary souvenirs. Until 18 October, scheduled boat services depart from Bregenz harbour for destinations around international Lake Constance. Themed cruises, ranging from culinary cruises and Christmas brunches to musical and murder mystery dinner cruises, continue well into December.
All about wellbeing
Autumn is a good time to get ready for winter. Vorarlberg’s wellness hotels offer suitable packages. Hotel Post Bezau by Susanne Kaufmann specialises in detox retreats. Hildegard von Bingen fasting programmes are offered at Biohotel Schwanen in Bizau from 10 to 17 October and from 17 to 24 October. The many day spa options at wellness hotels are also ideal for a short break from everyday life, allowing body and mind to recover.
