Karren

The Karren is a 971-metre limestone summit on the northern shoulder of the Staufen in Vorarlberg. It overlooks the town of Dornbirn and forms part of the Schuttannenberge range within the Bregenzerwaldgebirge. The mountain’s name comes from the jagged grooves cut by rain in its limestone rock. A cable car reaches the top, and a panoramic restaurant stands beside the upper station. The Karren is valued for its clear views over the Rhine valley and the Allgäu Alps. It serves as a starting point for hikes to nearby peaks such as Schuttannen and the Staufensee. Paragliders launch from its western cliffs thanks to reliable thermals. The mountain’s steep limestone walls shelter rare plants including the tawny skabiose and the turkish rocket. Visitors find a broad summit plateau dominated by the restaurant and its viewing terrace. A twelve-metre cantilevered walkway, the Karrenkante, juts out over the cliff edge. The cable-car route climbs 513 metres and is used by runners training for timed events. Walkers can also follow a closed gravel road or take footpaths from several valley trailheads.