Großes Walsertal

The Grosses Walsertal is a narrow alpine valley in Vorarlberg, running north from the Walgau for about twenty-five kilometres between the Bregenz Forest mountains to the north and the Lechquellen range to the south. The Lutz river carves the valley floor while steep flysch slopes on the north side carry small round-headed tributary valleys. Six villages sit on the sunny hillside above the river, while Raggal lies on the opposite bank. The valley is recognised as Vorarlberg’s first UNESCO Biosphere Park, where farming and tourism are organised to protect nature. Since 2000 it has won awards for sustainable living and farming, including European Village Renewal and Energy Awards. Every two years the Walserherbst festival brings contemporary art, literature, film and music to the valley for three weeks. The Walser people who settled here in the 13th century still shape the valley’s culture of openness and exchange. Visitors walk the Faschina road that climbs the western slope and crosses the 1 485-metre Faschina Pass into the Bregenz Forest. At the valley end the Schadonapass trail leads to the Biberacher hut and onward to Rehmen. The villages of Thüringerberg, Sankt Gerold, Blons, Fontanella, Sonntag and Buchboden offer quiet lanes and small inns. From the hillside meadows there are wide views across the limestone peaks and down to the Walgau.