Tyrol & Vorarlberg: Alpine Passes and Mountain Valleys

Bregenz is located on the eastern shore of Lake Constance and is home to the Seebühne, a floating stage where open-air operas take place during the Bregenz Festival. In the upper town stands the Martinsturm from 1601, featuring Central Europe's largest Baroque onion-shaped dome. The Pfänderbahn takes you to the top of the 1064-meter-high Pfänder for a view over the lake and the Alps.

The Bregenzerwald in Vorarlberg is known for its combination of traditional agriculture and modern wooden architecture. Here you can hike across alpine meadows to the 2,044-metre-high Kanisfluh or take the cable car to Diedamskopf for views over Lake Constance. In Andelsbuch, the Werkraum Bregenzerwald showcases local craftsmanship and contemporary design, while the KäseStrasse leads past small-scale cheese dairies in the valley.

Montafon is a high alpine valley in Vorarlberg, enclosed by the mountain ranges of Silvretta, Rätikon, and Verwall. The 3,312-meter-high Piz Buin and the Silvretta-Bielerhöhe at an altitude of 2,037 meters dominate the landscape near the Silvretta-Stausee. You follow hiking trails along the river Ill through the forests towards the border with Tyrol.

In the Lechtal, the Lech river flows over wide gravel beds through an unspoiled river landscape. The Naturpark Tiroler Lech shows you wild nature up close. Near Holzgau, a 200-meter-long suspension bridge spans the Höhenbach Gorge, 110 meters above the ground. The villages in the valley display facades adorned with traditional Lüftlmalerei, beautiful against the backdrop of steep limestone peaks. Along the river, the Lechweg invites you to hike through this vibrant landscape.

Seefeld surrounds hikers with the rugged peaks of the Karwendel mountains while the paths on the plateau are flat and wide. On the edge of the village stands the white Seekirchl, a chapel with a round dome that rises above the landscape. The cable car to the Rosshütte takes you to alpine meadows with a wide view over the Alps. Along the forested shores of the Wildsee, squirrels dart through the branches. By the lake's water, you only hear the wind, away from the lively center.

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol and is located at an altitude of 574 meters in the Inn Valley. In the Old Town stands the Goldene Dachl from the year 1500, covered with 2,657 gilded copper tiles. The cable car from the city center takes you to the Nordkette mountain range, where you can overlook the city from the 2,256-meter-high Hafelekar. Along the Inn River, the colorful rows of houses of Mariahilf stand opposite the imperial Hofburg Innsbruck.

The mighty Stubai Glacier dominates the Stubaital with peaks reaching over 3,000 metres. Taking the cable car up, you reach the glacier world for hikes along mountain lakes and flower-filled alpine meadows. The WildeWasserWeg follows the course of the Ruetz to the Grawa Waterfall, the widest waterfall in the Eastern Alps. Among the traditional wooden farmhouses, a cosy atmosphere prevails with constant views of the glacier's ice.

The Ötztal offers a spectacular combination of rugged mountain landscapes and adventurous activities. The 159-meter high Stuibenfall near Umhausen plunges powerfully downwards. Outdoor park Area 47 attracts you with opportunities for rafting and climbing. Relaxation can be found in Längenfeld at the thermal baths of Aqua Dome, known for its floating outdoor pools. Near Sölden, there are extensive glaciers and hiking trails leading to mountain huts and mountain lakes. The lively atmosphere in the valley is enhanced everywhere by the imposing mountain world.

With an area of 6.8 square kilometers, Achensee is Tyrol's largest lake, situated at an altitude of 929 meters between the Karwendel and Rofan Mountains. You can take the Karwendel-Bergbahn to the 1491-meter-high Zwölferkopf or sail with the ships of the Achenseeschifffahrt, which have been operating here since 1887. In the adjacent Alpenpark Karwendel, you can walk along the lakeside paths or go on mountain tours through Austria's largest nature park.

The thirteenth-century Festung Kufstein towers on a rock high above Kufstein. In the Römerhofgasse, you can admire painted facades and signs on the historic buildings. The sounds of the Heldenorgel echo through the streets, the largest outdoor organ in the world. On the rugged peaks of the Kaisergebirge, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Alps. The atmosphere in the city is lively due to the combination of history and mountain sports, while the fortress wall stands out above everything.

Bregenz is located on the eastern shore of Lake Constance and is home to the Seebühne, a floating stage where open-air operas take place during the Bregenz Festival. In the upper town stands the Martinsturm from 1601, featuring Central Europe's largest Baroque onion-shaped dome. The Pfänderbahn takes you to the top of the 1064-meter-high Pfänder for a view over the lake and the Alps.