Cycling
Cultural Cycling Tour Vorarlberg
Photo: Peter Löwy - Werkraum Bregenzerwald
Photo: Albrecht Imanuel Schnabel - Vorarlberg Tourismus
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Höhenprofil
Experience culture, experience the landscape
The Vorarlberg Cultural Cycle Tour is a 252-kilometre cycle tour through Austria’s westernmost province. It combines alpine panoramas with cultural encounters, quiet trails with creative places – and invites you to discover Vorarlberg with all your senses.
The starting point is the high alpine Bielerhöhe in the Silvretta group. From there, the route leads through the Montafon, along the Ill and through villages such as Partenen and Schruns – with traditional timber buildings, wooden bridges and small museums along the way. In Bludenz the ascent begins through the Klostertal towards the Arlberg, which impresses with its pristine alpine landscape and rural culture.
Towards Lech am Arlberg the route alternates between the Klostertal cycle path, side roads and more challenging sections – such as the ascent to the Flexen Pass, which can optionally be bypassed by public bus with bike transport. Alpine building culture, culinary delights and cultural events are at their best in Lech. The detour into the Zugertal valley to Formarinsee lake is a scenic highlight.
Behind the Hochtannberg Pass the trail opens up into the Bregenzerwald – known for its unique combination of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary architecture. On the Bregenzerwald cycling route, the tour runs through picturesque villages such as Schoppernau, Au, Mellau, Andelsbuch and Egg – mostly on the old route of the Bregenzerwald railway, past rivers, meadows and charming villages. Highlights include the Werkraumhaus in Andelsbuch, the BUS:STOP stops in Krumbach and the Women’s Museum in Hittisau.
Via Alberschwende you reach Bregenz on Lake Constance. Here, the experience of nature meets cultural enjoyment – with the lakeside stage of the Bregenz Festival, the vorarlberg museum and the lively town centre. The route continues on the Rhine dam, along the EuroVelo 15, via Lustenau (with the Rhine river museum) and Hohenems, where Jewish history and the young creative scene form an exciting combination.
The tour ends in Feldkirch. Medieval flair, a cosmopolitan spirit and the Schattenburg castle, visible from afar, conclude the cultural cycle tour on the border with Switzerland and Liechtenstein – leaving lasting impressions of a journey between nature and culture, movement and encounters.
Author: Array -
Technique: Condition: Experience: Landscape: Altitude: Best season: JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC -
Directions
Stage 1: From the Silvretta to Bludenz (54 km)
Between peaks, glaciers and history: The journey begins where the mountains are very close to the sky: on the Bielerhöhe in the Silvretta group. Here you have the option of either riding down the famous Silvretta-Hochalpenstraße or alternatively taking the quieter but no less impressive route via Kopssee and Zeinisjoch. The long descent through the Montafon then begins – on the Ill-Rheinroute (Route 1), almost entirely on cycle paths. The places along the way tell stories: Partenen with its power station history, Gaschurn with traditional crafts, Schruns with alpine culture and small museums. Wooden bridges span rivers, springs invite you to refresh yourself, and well-maintained paths lead gently down the valley.
Day summary: A relaxed introductory stage with plenty of room to arrive.
Stage 2: From Bludenz to Lech (40 km)
Bludenz – charming, colourful, lively – is nestled between five valleys. The old town with its arcades and cafés is the ideal starting point for the varied day’s stage through the Klostertal up to the Arlberg: Along the Klostertal-Route (Route 4), you head into the valley of the same name. The Alfenzbach accompanies the ride, past small hamlets, lush meadows and shady woodland. The ascent to the Arlberg is challenging and requires stamina – if you prefer a more comfortable option, you can easily switch to the regular bus with bicycle transport from Klösterle.
In Lech, alpine building culture shows itself in a new way: simple elegance, lots of wood, great hospitality. The summer months bring peace to the village – time for discoveries in the lanes or a concert as part of the Lech Classic Festival. A detour into the Zugertal to Formarinsee is worthwhile: turquoise, crystal clear, framed by mountain peaks – a place that makes silence audible.
Day summary: A day between movement and reward, with panoramic views and cultural stops.
Stage 3: From Lech to Mellau (67 km)
Following historical traces into the Bregenzerwald: Early in the morning, the route leads up to the Hochtannbergpass – past Warth, a small village at 1,500 metres above sea level. The Biberkopf towers majestically over the valley, the pass opens up wide views. Through an avalanche tunnel it continues to Schröcken – known for its Gothic church and the rare Beinhaus. An impressive place that tells of the living conditions of past centuries. In Schoppernau, the route connects to the Bregenzerwald-Radweg (Route 3) – along the Bregenzer Ach. The path winds through floodplain forests, past gorges and through villages with their own distinctive character. In Au, the baroque Auer Zunft recalls the craftsmanship of the Bregenzerwald builders. Many of their principles still shape the regional building culture today.
Day summary: A stage full of heights and stories – both scenic and cultural.
Stage 4: From Mellau to Bregenz (62 km)
Villages, design and steam trains: The day begins with breakfast in the traditional Nazes Hus – an old Bregenzerwald house where regionality becomes tasteable: for example with Kässpätzle (here for the recipe). Route 3 continues on the old route of the Bregenzerwaldbahn – over historic bridges, past railway stations, through forests and meadows. In summer, steam trains even still run here between Bezau and Schwarzenberg. In Andelsbuch, tradition meets the future: the Werkraumhaus shows modern craftsmanship – designed by Peter Zumthor. Next to it: the Käsehaus with regional specialities.
An optional loop via Hittisau (with Austria’s only women’s museum) and Krumbach (with the BUS:STOP architectural bus stops) deepens cultural understanding in a charming way.
Arriving in Bregenz, the view opens up to Lake Constance. The festival city impresses with its combination of urban lightness and cultural diversity.
Day summary: A stage that shows how innovative rural areas can be.
Stage 5: From Bregenz to Feldkirch (47 km)
Through the Rheintal to the medieval town: The last day begins at Lake Constance – in Bregenz, between Pfänder views and the lake stage. Past the vorarlberg museum, the path leads onto the Rhine dam and briefly follows EuroVelo 15 – a route that connects all of Europe. In Lustenau, the Rhein-Schauen-Museum tells the story of Rhine regulation – a pioneering project pointing to the future. Then it continues to Hohenems, past the Jewish quarter, small cafés and regional design shops. Feldkirch welcomes visitors with city walls, the widely visible Schattenburg and narrow lanes – a finale that impressively shows the connection between past and present.
Day summary: A conclusion full of wide views, history and urban vibrancy.
Waypoints