The Arlberg Trail

The Arlberg Trail was recently opened - a long-distance hiking trail that connects five Arlberg villages in three stages that can be completed in three days. Those who embark on this trail explore the towns of Lech, Zürs, Stuben, St. Christoph and St. Anton.

This entire circular hiking trail extends over around 50 kilometers, with the actual walking distance being “only” 40 kilometers. The pure walking time is a full 18 hours and the paths themselves, which are to be contested on the Arlberg Trail, are classified as moderately difficult. The Arlberg Trail is not necessarily suitable for beginners, and you are guaranteed not to find a short hiking trail that you can complete in an afternoon. But the routes that unfold before you are beautiful and make for a unique mountain experience that will be remembered for a long time.

But the routes that unfold before you are beautiful and make for a unique mountain experience that will be remembered for a long time.

Lech - St. Anton: This is the first stage, which begins at almost 2,300 meters above sea level. The first possible ascent with the cable car starts at 8:30 a.m. The distance is 12.4 kilometers and the walking time is about 6:30 hours.

St. Anton - Stuben: This is the second stage, which also takes 6:30 hours but is 15 kilometers long.

Stuben - Lech: The final stage includes picturesque places on the total distance of 14.6 kilometers! You have to stay here for about 5 hours before you get back to Lech.

To the stages

On the Lech – St. Anton stage, the pure walking time is around 6.30 hours over a distance of 12.4 kilometers. The ascent is 1,220 m and the descent is 918 m. The required lifts are the Rüfikopf cable car, Vallugabahn I and the Galzigbahn.

The rest and refreshment stops are:

• Rüfikopf panorama restaurant
• Stuttgart Hut
• Valluga restaurant
• St Anton

The alternative route here is Rufikopf - Stuttgarter Hütte - Zürs - with the bus to St. Anton.

On the  St. Anton to Stuben stage, the pure walking time is again around 6.30 hours over a distance of 15 kilometers. Here the ascent is 674 m and the descent 1,315 m.

The lift required here is the Galzigbahn.

The rest and refreshment stops are:

• Galzig Restaurant
• St. Christoph
• Kaltenberghütte
• Stuben

The alternative route here is Rufikopf - Stuttgarter Hütte - Zürs - with the bus to St. Anton.

On the stage from Stuben to Lech, the walking time is approx. 5 hours with an ascent of 667 m and a descent of 1,144 m.

The required lift is the Seekopfbahn.

The rest and refreshment stops are:

• Flexenhäusl
• Hotel Enzian, Zurs
• Seekopf panorama restaurant
• Lech

Alternative routes here are Flexenpass to Zürs and then to Lech.

There is also the option of tackling easier alternative routes or just certain stages if the full Arlberg Trail is too demanding.

An 85 km long ski circuit runs through the Arlberg ski area, making it the longest in the Alps. Therefore, the Arlberg Trial is built as an attractive counterpart as a welcome contrast over the summer months. This represents a wonderful experience for hikers who are looking for both a sporty and an alpine adventure.