At the starting point at the Rohrspitz there are different parking spaces, some of which are subject to a charge.

You can walk on the dam in the direction of Gaißau to the Rheinspitz. There the path leads through the floodplain forest, also called Rheinholz. At the end of the Rheinspitz there are bathing and barbecue facilities. The path leads along the shores of Lake Constance back to the starting point.

In summer, when the weather is fine, you can go swimming on the freely accessible beaches at the Rohrspitz and at the end of the Rheinholz, at the Rheinspitz.

.

Rhine delta restaurant Glashaus – a culinary highlight directly on the lake

A culinary highlight is the Seerestaurant Glaushaus, situated in the middle of nature and directly on Lake Constance. In the summer opening hours from May to August the restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight and on Sunday from 9 a.m. for you. After a bathing day or a bicycle tour you can enjoy the beautiful sunset here.

The post Rhine delta – the small jungle at the Bodensee appeared first on Bodensee Germany.

From the Allmein-Alpe you return to Viktorsberg in a comfortable way out of the valley. In some of the residential houses, envy can directly befall you, as the great location on the sunny balcony is certainly enviable. At the monastery, one could turn back again, or one could drive, relaxed and with fully charged batteries back downhill.

The skull of St. Victor († A.D.) has been in the Viktorsberg Monastery since the 8th century, from where there is a wonderful view of the Vorderland.

Viktorsberg Vorarlberg can be combined with a visit to Liechtenstein or Dornbirn.

The post Viktorsberg – a beautiful hike in many seasons appeared first on Bodensee Germany.

Kanisfluh is a mountain with two sides. On the north side, huge rock faces rise to the summit. But if you approach the mountain from the south, it is easy to climb.

The way up leads through lovely, green alpine landscapes.

The view from the summit to the north from falling rock flanks is almost dizzying. The Kanisfluh trip can be easily started from Mellau.

Whatever outdoor activities you are looking for, you will find them in Damuels Mellau

Mellau is also the starting point for many activities. Due to its location all leisure activities are possible, e.g. rafting, hiking, canyoning.  If this is not enough for you, you can explore the Bregenzerwald by bike.

If you would like to visit some places closer to the lake have a look at my post about the Pfänder.

The post Damuels Mellau – the heart of the Bregenzerwald appeared first on Bodensee Germany.

In Lochau you will find mountain guesthouses with a wide view over the lake and the Swiss Alps, traditional inns or gourmet restaurants with homemade delicacies.

The ferry “Alte Fähre“, which has been converted into a restaurant in Lochau harbour, also offers the opportunity to stop for a bite to eat.

Lochau Bodensee has with the “Schwarzbad” an attractive as well as a family-friendly bathing beach at Bodensee Germany.

The post Lochau Bodensee appeared first on Bodensee Germany.

From the valley station at 464 metres above sea level, the route climbs up to 976 metres above sea level – and then up by cable car! The cable car in Dornbirn is a popular destination in Vorarlberg and the Lake Constance region.

Local specialities in the Karren Dornbirn panorama restaurant

The Karren offers fantastic views over the Rhine Valley – even in the evening when the sea of lights glistens deep down. The Karren Dornbirn is a popular meeting place in the region. On the one hand, beautiful hiking trails have their starting point here, on the other hand it is wonderful to enjoy the local specialities in the panorama restaurant at 976 metres. Whether you want to go out for a bite to eat or just get a taste of the mountain air: In five minutes, the cable car takes you high above the roofs of the city and Vorarlberg and offers you a wonderful view: the entire border triangle by day, the sea of lights by night.

Rappenloch Canyon – one of the largest gorges in Europe

Another beautiful sightseeing destination is the Rappenlochschlucht (Rappenloch Canyon), a short 1 hour trip is a good idea before taking the cable car to the cart. It is one of the largest canyons in Central Europe. From the entrance of the canyon to the ascent to the platform it only takes about 30 minutes. My tip, come here when it rains. The gorge then offers a wonderful mix of waterfalls with the corresponding acoustic noise.

At the entrance to the canyon is also the Rolls-Royce Museum. It is a private collection owned by the Vonier family and made accessible to the public. In Europe, it is one of the most interesting museums of its kind, with selected exhibits such as the Queen’s automobile and Francos Rolls Royce. It is also possible to dine in the museum. A few years ago I organized a business lunch here. The owners offer a good mix of great food, knowledge, guided tours and enough privacy for small talk. Events of this kind have to be requested and booked in advance.

If you want to see all three attractions, it is best to park your car first in the parking lot to the canyon and the museum and then drive a short distance back to the parking lot of the cable car station.

The post Karren Dornbirn – Rappenlochschlucht – Rolls Royce Museum appeared first on Bodensee Germany.

A few meters below the highest point is the Hochälpele hut, so that there is also an ideal place to stop for refreshments. Arrived at the crest the view openes to the east up to the Widderstein. On the north or south side you climbe up to the Hochälpelehütte.

The trip to the alp should not be started from Dornbirn, but from a higher point. With the car one can drive comfortably up to Kehlegg, which lies north of the Rappenlochschlucht on a railing ridge.

A short stop to the Hochälpele on the Schwendealp

On the way to Hochalpelekopf you pass Schwendekopf. The Alpe Schwende lies at 1,000 metres above sea level above Dornbirn and is a well-known stopover that offers a beautiful view of the lower Rhine Valley. For the tour one should have a good basic fitness, as one needs approx. 3,5 h for the ascent and descent. Approximately 500 height meters have to be managed.

A great tour, I’ve done many times on weekends.

The post Hochälpele – the nearest alp at lake constance appeared first on Bodensee Germany.

From here you can hike up to three thousand mountains. The highest is the Hirschberg. From its summit you can see the 1,069 m high Hochberg and the 1,064 m high Pfänder.

A good starting point for the Hirschberg Alm is the Stollen Inn. Here you can also enjoy a really delicious schnitzel with beer or wine after the hiking tour.

If you hike to the Hirschberg Alm, you will reach the summit via gentle climbs and cosy meadow ridges. On the way you can enjoy views of the Bregenzer Wald and the nearby Allgäu. The nearby Pfänderrücken with its summit tower high above Lake Constance is just as fascinating as the views as far as Kanisfluh and Damülser Mittagsspitze.

The Hirschberg Alm Hike is one of my personal favourites. Also because the way lies off the usual tourist routes. If one manages to get to the starting point, the Stollenrestaurant, one has to reckon with only a few other tourists that one meets on the way. But with all the more contact to the locals.

The post Hirschberg Alm – few tourists and great views appeared first on Bodensee Germany.

Alternative route via Fluh

The way to the Pfänder via Fluh is a good alternative to the standard trail from Bregenz.

The car park on the Fluh, high above Bregenz, is quickly reached. Pure sunshine and a wonderful panorama are already offered when you get out and accompany the ascent, a wide path, to the right up the road towards Pfänder. The path leads through a forest and the sun follows on the way.

Always following the main path of the yellow-white signs, you reach the summit station of the Pfänderbahn, where you can indulge in sunbathing on the panoramic terrace and enjoy the fantastic view of Germany over the Bregenzerwald to Switzerland.

The same route takes you back to Bregenz Fluh. A welcome change and also few tourists than on the standard routes.

The post Pfänder – view over Bregenz and the lake constance appeared first on Bodensee Germany.

Bregenz Austria Opera

The lake stage is today the largest in the world with a grandstand that seats almost 7,000 people. Around 170,000 guests from all over the world watch one of the performances during the month-long summer season. The adjoining Festspielhaus still offers a good 1700 seats. By the way, did you know that the James bond film Quantum of Solace was partly shot on the lake stage?

The city offers many sights: Impressive is the Martinsturm in Bregenz from the year 1601, which once functioned as a storehouse and today bears the largest baroque onion tower in Central Europe. Also visible from afar is the former St. Gallusstift with its verdigris-covered cupola of the abbey church. The regional library is housed here.

Since its opening in 1997, the Kunsthaus Bregenz – built by the Swiss architect Peter Zumthor – has been one of the most important museums of modern art in the German-speaking world.

The upper town in Bregenz is particularly recommendable.

Gebhartsberg Bregenz

A side trip is also worthwhile to the Gebhartsberg. not quite as high as the pfänder, the small hill nevertheless offers a beautiful view over the Rhine valley. Both on foot and by car, the Gebhartsberg is also quickly reached.

If you are a little more fit, you can also integrate the Gebhartsberg into a small trail where you start in the oberstadt and arrive back in Bregenz via the Ffänder and the cable car. however, you should plan 3-4 hours for this. the gradient is not low and good footwear is also recommended.

The post Bregenz Austria – the capital at lake constance appeared first on Bodensee Germany.