Kleinwalsertal region
Holidays in the Kleinwalsertal
One high valley, four Walser villages, 185 kilometres of hiking trails: between the Ifen, Kanzelwand and Walmendingerhorn lies Vorarlberg’s most famous valley – reachable only via Oberstdorf, and special precisely because of that.
Briefly explained
What can you do in the Kleinwalsertal?
Riezlern, Hirschegg, Mittelberg and Baad – four villages at 1,100 to 1,250 metres, surrounded by mountains that are comfortably reached with eight cable cars and lifts. Over 700 years ago the Walser settled the valley; their houses and their cuisine shape it to this day.
You can walk through the Breitachklamm, float up the Walmendingerhorn by cable car, play with the children on the Burmiweg or choose between four ski areas in winter. Each destination below has a link to the official provider and a route planner – also handy once you are already there.
Nature & hiking
Outside there is enough for many days
Four trails we like to walk ourselves – with an honest note on who they suit.
Through the Breitachklamm
The deepest gorge in Central Europe: on secure walkways you walk right along the thundering Breitach, 150 metres below the rock walls. Easily reachable from the valley with the Walserbus.
185 kilometres of hiking trails
From valley strolls to high-altitude trails at 2,500 metres: the hiking network is excellently marked, and eight cable cars take the altitude metres off your hands. The tourism association’s tour search helps with choosing.
Into the quiet Schwarzwassertal
The side valley beneath the Ifen belongs to the Alps, streams and marmots – a quiet classic with a hut stop that stays pleasant even on hot days.
Gottesacker and the Ifen plateau
A lunar landscape of limestone: the karst plateau on the Hoher Ifen is one of the most unusual landscapes in the Alps. With the Ifenbahn you get up high comfortably.
Family
Some destinations may be a holiday day of their own
The detailed information stays with the official bodies – we tell you honestly what is worthwhile for whom.
Burmiweg along the Breitach
Nine play and activity stations on the flat path along the Breitach from Hirschegg to Riezlern – with a barbecue area and Burmi puzzle. The classic for the littlest ones.
Burmi and the family programme
Burmi the marmot is the valley’s mascot: children’s programmes, nature-explorer tours and family events run all year round – much of it cheaper with a guest card.
Family mountain Söllereck
Just beyond Oberstdorf the mountain lifts’ family mountain awaits: climbing forest, toboggan run and easy trails – easy to combine with the bus outing to Oberstdorf.
By cable car up the Walmendingerhorn
Float up, walk the panoramic circular trail at the top and stop in on the terrace – summit happiness that works even with smaller children.
Summits
If today may be a summit day
Walmendingerhorn (1.990 m)
The valley’s viewpoint mountain: by cable car almost to the summit, the last metres on foot – at the top you stand above the whole Kleinwalsertal. Also a start for high-altitude trails towards Mittelberg.
Hoher Ifen (2.230 m)
The tilted table mountain is the landmark of the valley. Across the karst plateau the route leads the experienced to the summit – start early and take the weather forecast seriously.
Bike
Off by bike – and back with a good feeling
A leisurely valley loop
From Riezlern to Baad the valley rises gently – by bike or e-bike you roll from village to village, stopping in along the way. The way back almost takes care of itself.
MTB and e-MTB tours
Alp paths and trails between Schwarzwassertal and Walmendingerhorn – if you like altitude metres, you will find your tour here, with the e-MTB also as a leisurely option.
Cable car instead of climb
Eight cable cars and the Walserbus turn one big tour into many small ones: ride up, cycle or hike at the top, and head back down at ease.
Water
An afternoon by the water almost always fits in
Mountain streams and rock pools
Breitach, Schwarzwasserbach and Derrenbach form rock pools and gravel banks – perfect for cooling your feet after the hike. Your hosts know where it is most beautiful.
To the natural bridge
The Schwarzwasserbach has carved out a rock bridge here – a small natural wonder along the way between Riezlern and Hirschegg, easy to combine with the Burmiweg.
Winter
When winter begins right outside the hut
Four ski areas, one ski pass
Kanzelwand-Fellhorn, Ifen, Walmendingerhorn and Heuberg: 130 kilometres of slopes across two countries, from the children’s area to the freeride route – all with one ski pass.
Cross-country skiing in the valley
Groomed cross-country trails run through the whole valley to Baad – classic and skating, with a mountain backdrop that accompanies you from the very first metre.
Winter hiking and tobogganing
Cleared winter paths, snow-covered side valleys and toboggan runs – winter works wonderfully here even without skis.
Genuss & regional einkaufen
Shopping regionally in the Kleinwalsertal
Mountain cheese, butter, Speck and bread are available here directly from the Sennalpen and from small shops in the villages. We show you what you can get where.
Mountain cheese from the Sennalpen
On the valley’s Alps, cheese is made in summer – tangy mountain cheese and butter directly from the producer, often with a view of the kettle in which it was made.
Village shops and weekly market
In Riezlern, Hirschegg and Mittelberg you will find bakers, butchers and shops with Walser products – you don’t need to leave the valley for your hut kitchen.
Stopping in on the mountain
From the top station to the Alp hut: the region’s mountain restaurants focus on regional cuisine – the cable cars’ overview shows where the cooking is happening today.
Our tip: We sort by your accommodation.
From our luxury lodges between Ifen and Widderstein views you are at the baker, the nearest cable car and the Burmiweg in just a few minutes. For every accommodation we show you the nearest shops.
Please always check current opening hours with the business
Stopping in: our inn tips
If nobody feels like cooking today – four addresses where we ourselves like to sit.
WalserstubaOrganic restaurant in Riezlern with a green Michelin star – radically regional and yet warmly uncomplicated.To the website ↗
Sonna-AlpSun terrace at 1,410 metres above Mittelberg – rustic, laid-back and with traditional dishes.To the website ↗
Berggasthof BühlalpeFamily-run mountain inn at 1,480 metres on the Walmendingerhorn – with a terrace and a children’s treasure hunt.To the website ↗
All mountain restaurantsThe overview of the cable cars’ mountain dining at Ifen, Kanzelwand, Walmendingerhorn and co.To the overview ↗
Farming in the Kleinwalsertal
Here, too, people say Alpe, not Alm. Why that is – and what really happens on such land:
- Alm, Alpe, BergmahdThe same, something different – and the most widespread misconception about the tree line.
- GrazingThe most demanding way of keeping animals – and the only one in which the land gets something back.
In between
Today we simply stay at the hut.
That, too, is a good Walser day: stove on, book open, mountain cheese on the table – and outside the clouds drift over the Ifen. If you are still looking for a place like this, here are our accommodations in the valley.
Staying in the Kleinwalsertal
Here you can stay in the Kleinwalsertal
The region is the inspiration – the accommodation turns it into your holiday. We know every one of these houses personally.
Getting here
How to get to the Kleinwalsertal
By trainYou take the train to Oberstdorf in the Allgäu – from there the Walserbus brings you into the valley in about 20 minutes. Whether the last stretch to your specific hut makes sense without a car is stated honestly right at the accommodation.
On site with the WalserbusThe Walserbus connects all the villages at frequent intervals – with the guest card you travel free of charge in the valley. You don’t really need a car here.
By carThe only road leads in via Oberstdorf (B19) – there is no direct connection from Austria. In winter, please remember winter equipment.
All information on the Walserbus at the TVB ↗
For dreaming on
Two more regions for a next holiday
Together for the region
For hosts, tourist boards and regional partners
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