Hiking Austria’s Lechweg August 24 – September 6, 2019 (Trip #1937) Hello! I am pleased you are interested in joining me hiking Austria’s Lechweg, ​ a guided trip following the Lech River from western Austria into Germany. Please read the information carefully, and then contact me if you have specific questions about this trip: Éva Borsody Das 781-925-9733 (before 9pm); [email protected] . ​ ​ GENERAL INTRODUCTION The Lechweg follows the River Lech for almost 78 miles, from its spring near the Formarinsee lake in Austria to the Lechfall waterfall in Füssen in Germany. Our route includes days in the high mountains which rise above the valley, as well as days in the valley wending our way through pretty villages on good paths and tracks. The villages in the Lechtal Valley are famous throughout Tirol for their elaborate frescos painted on the facades of farmhouses. Dating back to the 18th century, they show scenes from everyday farm life and stories from the Bible. Holzgau has a particularly large number of these paintings. The Lechweg crosses over the longest-span swing bridge in Austria, and up to the royal castles of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. OVERVIEW 12 nights guided trip with baggage transfers between hotels. 9 hiking days and 2 days off. 11-14 participants. Hiking days range from 4 ½ to 7 hours per day, not counting breaks. The hikes range in length from 8 – 15 ½ miles. The highest altitude is 8300 feet. The greatest total daily ascent is 2300 feet, and the greatest total daily descent is 3700 feet. 1500 feet altitude gain and 2300 feet loss is a typical daily average. Accommodation: 3* & 4* hotels, 11 nights bed, breakfast & dinner; one night bed & breakfast. ​ ​ WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT OF ME My number one trip priority will be to see that you have a wonderful experience on the trip and return home safely. I hope to make this trip as cost effective as possible. Because we will have the services of a full time guide, I will be the only leader. You are welcome to use frequent flyer miles or make your own flight arrangements, possibly arriving earlier or staying on later than the group. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU You should be curious about other cultures and comfortable traveling in areas which are unfamiliar to you. You should recognize that you may find yourself in closer quarters or be less comfortable than you are used to at home. You should make it a priority to help others on the trip and contribute to their having a great time. If you do that, I guarantee that you will have a great time. When you participate in this activity, you should be prepared both physically and mentally, and equipped with the appropriate gear. You should always be aware of the risks involved and conduct yourself accordingly. We are not responsible for your safety—you are. As participant safety is a high priority for all AMC-sponsored events, procedures and policies have been developed to attempt to limit participant risk. Participants are expected to work with volunteer leaders to reduce risks and make the experience successful for all. Participants should be aware that there are risks associated with outdoor adventure activities, including but not limited to adverse weather and environmental conditions, remote locations of our trips and camps, and transportation in vehicles, on foot, by boat, or on a bike. When you apply for acceptance onto a trip, please carefully read and sign the Adventure Travel Acknowledgement ​ ​ and Assumption of Risks and Release and Indemnity Agreement and call if you have any ​​ questions. This trip is rated moderate to vigorous. People wishing to participate in this trip must have previous hiking experience at the intermediate level. You need to be prepared to commit yourself to keeping in shape between the time you sign up for the trip to the time you depart for it. You must be able to hike six to seven hours a day (for as much as 15 miles), not including breaks, at a moderate pace, with elevation gains of up to 2,300 feet, and descents over 3000 feet, while carrying enough equipment in your day pack to keep you safe in the event of bad weather or injury. Please see the gear list below. It may happen on any trip that a trip member is or becomes unable to participate in one or more of the planned activities. Leaders in their sole judgment have the right and obligation to refuse participation in any activity to any group member for reasons of group or individual safety. Illness, injury or lack of proper gear or fitness for a particular activity are examples of some conditions that might result in a participant’s being unable to perform one or more activity. It may not always be possible to find a substitute activity for the trip member. Prior to your being accepted as a participant in this trip, you will be asked to discuss your capabilities and experience with us. Please do not be offended by our questions. Itinerary NB the times below are walking times and do not included stops for lunch etc. As on all trips, the leaders reserve the right to change the itinerary for reasons such as weather, trail conditions, or unforeseen circumstances. Day 0 Saturday August 24th ​ Fly from USA to Munich, Germany Day 1 Sunday August 25th ​ Arrive Lech Am Arlberg (Austria) ​ Travel to starting point. Transport from Munich airport can be arranged. Orientation meeting in the evening. Meals included: Evening meal Lech Am Arlberg Day 2 Monday August 26th ​ Lechweg section 1 – Formarinsee to Lech Am Arlberg We take a bus and then a short walk up to the Formarinsee lake (6200 ft) and then have a gentle and interesting start to the trip on paths running close to the Lech river. The trail crosses mountain pastures and passes, weathered limestone boulders, passing the Steinbock (Ibex)-Monument, a reminder of the resettlement of these animals into the wild in 1958. One of the largest ibex colonies in Europe lives in this area. Farther down the valley the Lechweg passes the village of Zug where fresh fish are caught and grilled. 11 ½ miles, 5 hours. Total ascent 740 ft. Descent 2100ft. Highest point 6200 ft. Meals included: Breakfast and evening meal at Lech Formarinsee Day 3 Tuesday August 27th ​ A circuit above Lech Am Alberg Using the Rüfikopf cable car from Lech, we can start the hike at 7736 ft with a variety of routes at high altitude, returning to Lech in the afternoon via the cable car. Possible route: 8 miles, 5 hours. Total ascent 2300 ft. Descent 2300 ft. Highest point 8300 ft. Meals: Breakfast and evening meal at Lech Monzabonsee, near to Rüfikopf ​ Day 4 Wednesday August 28th ​ Lechweg section 2 – Lech Am Arlberg to Warth The second section of the Lechweg passes through the village of Stubenbach, then stays close to the river through a ravine before a climb up to Warth, or, take the Oberlech chairlift to 1640 m ​ ​ and a high route past the Warther Horn (2256m) and Burstegg and gently down to Warth. 9 miles, 5 hours. Total ascent 1400 ft. Descent 1300 ft. Highest point 5000 ft. or, 9 miles, 5 ½ hours. Total ascent 1700 ft. Descent 2700 ft. Highest point 7400 ft. Meals: Breakfast at Lech and evening meal at Warth Burstegg Day 5 Thursday August 29th ​ Lechweg section 3 – Warth to Hägerau The third section of the Lechweg starts on easy tracks above the valley before dropping down to the village of Steeg, before continuing through fields and woods to Hägerau. 10 ½ miles, 4 ½ hours. Total ascent 1350 ft. Descent 2550 ft. Highest point 5300 ft. Meals: Breakfast at Warth and evening meal at Hägerau Holzgau Day 6 Friday August 30th ​ A day at Holzgau A day off, which can include a short local walk to visit the Simms waterfall and cross the 660 ft ​ ​ long Holzgau suspension bridge. Holzgau village is worthy of a visit, with many houses decorated with huge frescos, as is the parish church Maria Himmelfahrt, with its altar paintings by Johann Jakob Zeiler and Joseph Keller. The Sebastian Chapel, which dates from 1497, has its original artwork on view. There is also a beer brewery which can be visited. Holzgau is about a level mile from Hägerau and can be easily reach on foot or by regular public bus. Meals: Breakfast and evening meal at Hägerau. Holzgau suspension bridge Day 7 Saturday August 31 Lechweg section 4 – Hägerau to Elbigenalp The fourth section of the Lechweg passes the hamlet of Kraichen and then follows the river through Bach to Elbigenalp. An alternative route takes a chairlift at Kraichen to follow a delightful easy high level route, the Alpenroseweg, followed by a well graded descent to Elbigenalp. 11 miles, 5 ½ hours. Total ascent 1950 ft. Descent 2250 ft. Highest point 4300 ft. or, 12 miles, 6 hours. Total ascent 2150 ft. Descent 3850 ft. Highest point 6400 ft. Meals: Breakfast at Hägerau and evening meal at Elbigenalp Alpenroseweg Day 8 Sunday September 1 Lechweg section 5 – Elbigenalp to Stanzach The fifth section of the Lechweg is quite long but on easy paths and forest tracks with several panoramic view points and attractive villages. After the village of Haeselgehr the Lechweg passes the Doser waterfall – where the water comes from a cave and dries up on St. Martin's Day (November 11th) and springs back on St. George's Day (April 23rd). According to legend, a dragon is responsible for this - it lets the stream flow and disappear at the right times.