Vorarlberg is Austria’s westernmost region, bordering Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It is a neighbor to the more well-known Tyrol region and shares Tyrol’s stunning high Alps, deep valleys, and many exciting towns, villages, and areas. I visited Vorarlberg as part of the NordicTB campaign #InVorarlberg in September, and over the course of a week, we explored all six vacation regions that Vorarlberg is divided into. Join me in discovering the unique charm and attractions of each region.

Kleinwalsertal

Recommended Experiences in Kleinwalsertal

Since this vacation region is a culinary hotspot, consider going on a culinary hike, or as it’s called in Austria, a Genusswanderung, to experience the nature, food, and drinks that this valley is so famous for. I enjoyed a wonderful mountain hike with the award-winning chef Herbert Edlinger up to a mountain hut called Mittlere Spitelalpe, where they produce local cheese during the summer. Herbert brought along a selection of goodies in his backpack, so I got to sample many of the delicacies Kleinwalsertal has to offer.

Accommodation in Kleinwalsertal

Naturhotel Chesa Valisa is a hotel located just outside the village of Hirschegg, offering stunning views of the valley below and the surrounding mountains. The hotel emphasizes natural building materials and ecological operations and features a beautiful pool and spa facility available to guests.

Bregenzerwald

Bregenzerwald is located in the northern part of Vorarlberg and, like Kleinwalsertal, is characterized by high mountains and deep valleys. The area places great emphasis on tradition and authenticity blended with modern expressions. In this vacation region, you can truly immerse yourself in design, architecture, and cultural experiences.

Recommended Experiences in Bregenzerwald

This region is perfect for those who enjoy exploring the arts and cultural scene while embarking on enriching discovery tours in the various villages. The region offers something called “Umgang,” a project featuring design routes in 13 villages. Visitors can follow these routes to learn about construction techniques, design, and architecture. Each route takes between 1.5 and 4 hours and is self-guided. You can pick up a detailed map at the village tourist information centers or purchase a box set of 12 maps if you want to explore all the routes.

Accommodation in Bregenzerwald

I stayed at a charming hotel with a long history, Hotel Gasthof Krone, located in the small village of Hittisau. This is one of the villages included in the Umgang project and offers an exciting route that provides a great introduction to architectural styles, history, and local traditions.

Bodensee Vorarlberg

In Bodensee, you’ll find Vorarlberg’s largest city and administrative center, Bregenz. This area, located in the far north of Vorarlberg, is best known for the large lake, Bodensee, or Lake Constance, as it’s also called. The lake lies at the intersection of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria and is widely used for various water activities such as sailing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and swimming. Along its shores, you’ll find plenty of great bathing spots equipped with summer activities.

Recommended Experiences in Bodensee Vorarlberg

Visit the capital and charming city of Bregenz, known for its outdoor stage that floats on Lake Constance. During the summer, open-air theater performances are held here, and for 2017 and 2018, Carmen was on the program. The floating stage is an experience in itself, even if you don’t attend a performance, as it is always designed with artistic and creative flair. Take a walk along the lakeside promenade and enjoy a coffee or a meal at one of the cafés in the area.

Accommodation in Bodensee

I stayed at Hotel Schwärzler, a wonderful hotel located close to the center of Bregenz and Lake Constance. The hotel has a traditional feel but offers modern rooms and facilities.

Montafon

Montafon is located in the southern part of Vorarlberg, and to travel from Bodensee to Montafon, you pass along the border with Liechtenstein. Take the opportunity, as I did, to make a quick detour into this small principality while you’re in the area. Montafon features stunning mountain landscapes.

Recommended Experiences in Montafon

Enjoy a wonderful hike in the Montafon mountains. Here, you’ll find exciting trails, some featuring art installations along the routes, and you can combine this with an overnight stay in a classic Austrian mountain hut. I started my journey in the village of Vandans, where I took the Golmerbahn, a gondola with three stages, to the top of the mountain. From there, I hiked the Gauertaler AlpkulTour, a trail that takes you through classic alpine scenery with steep grassy slopes, alpine huts, grazing cows, and intriguing artworks along the way.

Accommodation in Montafon

If you take the Gauertaler AlpkulTour route, you can stay overnight at the beautiful Lindauer Hütte, a mountain hut with accommodations for up to 103 people in rooms for 3, 4, 6, or 8 people. The standard is simple, as it should be in mountain huts, but the atmosphere is unbeatable. In the afternoons and evenings, guests gather in the lounge and dining area to enjoy a beer and good food, with lively conversations as the evening progresses. Remember to bring a sleeping bag liner, as it is required for staying at the hut, saving you the cost of renting one.

Biosphere park Grosses Walsertal

This area is one of UNESCO’s 120 recognized Geoparks and one of six located in Austria. According to the definition, a Geopark is an area of unique international significance, with a focus on conservation, sustainable development, and community involvement.

Recommended Experiences in Biosphere Park Grosses Walsertal

In addition to stunning nature and beautiful hiking trails, you can also explore culture and history in Biosphere Park Grosses Walsertal. Consider visiting the Benedictine Monastery Propstei St. Gerold, located at the entrance of the valley. The monastery grows its own vegetables and herbs and raises livestock in an ecological and sustainable manner. The products they produce are served alongside other local specialties in the monastery’s restaurant.

The monastery also features a unique cemetery that emphasizes equality. Instead of individual graves and headstones, all who are buried there are honored with a plaque on stone walls. The grounds are covered with flowers that pay tribute to everyone laid to rest there, regardless of status or wealth.

Accommodation in Grosses Walsertal

I stayed at a charming hotel called Hotel Krone in a small village named Sonntag (or “Sunday,” if you prefer), located halfway up the valley with stunning views.

Lech Zürs am Arlberg

Lech Zürs am Arlberg is located in the southeastern part of Vorarlberg and is a true alpine paradise in winter. In summer, the area offers a variety of beautiful hiking trails, golfing, and other exciting outdoor activities. Most gondolas also operate during the summer, making it easy to access the mountains and enjoy the natural beauty even outside the ski season.

Recommended Experiences in Lech Zürs am Arlberg

The area boasts many excellent hiking opportunities, both in the valley and in the surrounding mountains. The charming villages scattered along the valley offer shopping options and a great selection of cafés and restaurants.

I spent an adventurous day in Lech with an introduction to the art of playing golf alongside an instructor from Iconic Golf, affiliated with Golfclub Lech. Whether you’re an experienced golfer or a complete beginner like me, the stunning surroundings are sure to enhance your experience. The towering snow-capped peaks rising above the vivid green meadows of the golf course made for a beautiful and unforgettable round of golf.

Accommodation in Lech Zürs am Arlberg

There are plenty of excellent hotels in Lech and the surrounding villages. I stayed at Hotel Goldener Berg in Oberlech, a village connected to Lech by gondola in the winter and accessible via gondola or a narrow road in the summer. The hotel offered fantastic views of the valley, an outdoor jacuzzi, a large pool and spa area, and high-class restaurants.

The trip to Vorarlberg in Austria was a collaborative project between NordicTB.com and Vorarlberg Tourismus to highlight the region as a vacation destination. All opinions and views are, as always, my own.