Mountain Safety

Lech Zürs am Arlberg offers a breathtaking alpine experience. From blooming alpine meadows to majestic peaks, the region offers unforgettable mountain adventures in the heart of the Austrian Alps. To ensure your hiking adventure is both enjoyable and safe, it's essential to follow key safety and environmental guidelines.

Safety, respect for nature, and mindful interaction with wildlife and fellow hikers are top priorities in our alpine environment. To help you prepare for your next outdoor adventure, we’ve put together a collection of practical and important mountain hiking tips.

On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about responsible behavior in the mountains—covering topics like nature conservation, proper gear, tour planning, and more.

Good preparation is half the journey

Thoughtful planning is the key to a successful and safe hiking experience. Before heading out, take time to gather detailed information about your chosen route—its length, duration, and difficulty level. Always check the latest weather forecast and adapt your plans to the current conditions. If in doubt, stop by the local tourist information office for guidance.

Just as important is an honest self-assessment: Evaluate your own fitness level, surefootedness, and alpine experience—as well as that of your companions. Don’t forget to check the last descent times for cable cars or gondolas if relevant to your route.

Be sure to ask locals or the tourism office about current trail conditions. Late-season snowfields, slippery grassy slopes, or temporary trail closures can affect your route and safety.

Always stay on marked trails and resist the temptation to take shortcuts. Leaving the designated path increases the risk of accidents and causes unnecessary damage to the fragile alpine ecosystem. If a trail is closed—for example due to forestry work or storm damage—respect the closure and be willing to turn back if necessary.

Drei Wanderer unterwegs auf der 3. Etappe vom Arlberg Trail beim Zürsersee

Trail Signage & Navigation

Vorarlberg offers a well-maintained and consistently marked network of hiking trails. Along the way, be sure to follow the official signposts and trail markings—they help you stay oriented and provide essential information about direction, distance, and terrain.

Trail signs in Vorarlberg provide clear and practical information to help you navigate safely and confidently through the mountains. Each sign typically displays the following details:

Destination(s): Key landmarks or villages along the route.
Estimated Hiking Time: Approximate walking time to these destinations (without breaks).
Trail Marking Color: Indicates the difficulty level of the route—
- Yellow-white: easy
- Red-white-red: intermediate
- Blue-white-blue: difficult
Location Number: A unique numeric code printed on many signs, which can help emergency responders pinpoint your exact location if needed.

Hiking times are based on simple reference values developed by the Austrian Alpine Club (OeAV). On average, plan for 1 hour for 300 meters of ascent, 500 meters of descent and 4 kilometers of horizontal distance. These components—uphill, downhill, and total distance—are then combined to estimate realistic total walking times for each route.

Trail Difficulty Levels

You can identify the difficulty level of hiking trails by the color markings found on signs, rocks, or posts along the route.

Please note that Tyrol uses a different trail marking system. Make sure you're familiar with the signage if your route crosses regional borders.

Hiking Equipment

The right gear not only adds to your comfort but is essential for safety in the mountains. Here’s what you should always carry on a hike in Lech Zürs:

Sturdy, ankle-high hiking boots with a non-slip tread for proper grip and support on uneven terrain.
Maps and navigation tools helps with orientation. Don’t forget a fully charged mobile phone with emergency numbers saved.
Weather-appropriate clothing using the layering principle – Pack a rain jacket, a warm insulating layer, and spare clothes. Keep in mind: temperatures drop by approximately 1°C for every 100 meters of elevation.
Food and water – Bring enough to drink (at least 1.5–2 liters per person, depending on the length and intensity of the tour), and pack energy-rich snacks like fruit or granola bars. Not all trails have huts or places to stop—plan your breaks accordingly.
First-aid kit, including any personal medications, plasters, and bandages. A emergency blanket is also highly recommended in case of unexpected situations.

What to Do in an Emergency

Even with the best planning and precautions, unexpected situations can still occur in the mountains. If something happens, stay calm and act with care and consideration.

Good to know: In Austria, you can reach mountain rescue services by calling 140 nationwide. In Vorarlberg, you can also dial 144, as alpine emergencies are routed through the regional emergency dispatch center.

Across Europe, the universal emergency number 112 is available at all times. It works even without entering a PIN or with a locked phone screen.

Safety Guidelines for the Mountains

If you or others experience an emergency while hiking, remember: your own safety comes first. Never put yourself in danger while trying to help others. Assess the situation quickly and, if necessary, secure the scene—for example, keep a safe distance from rockfall zones and warn approaching hikers.

Provide first aid to the best of your ability. As soon as possible, call emergency services.

Use the "5 W Questions" to Report the Emergency Clearly:

What happened? (accident, medical emergency, etc.)
How many people are injured?
Where did it happen? (exact location—trail number, nearby hut, GPS coordinates, landmarks.)
What kind of injuries are present? (unconsciousness, bleeding, fractures, etc.)
Who is calling? (your full name and a callback number)

Mountain Weather

Weather in the mountains can change rapidly and without warning. Always check the daily forecast before setting out and, if you’re planning a multi-day tour, also take note of longer-term weather trends. During summer—especially in July and August—afternoon thunderstorms are common. These heat storms often occur suddenly after sunny mornings.

That’s why it’s best to start your hike early and plan to be back in the valley or at least in safe terrain by midday or early afternoon.

During Your Hike Keep an eye on the sky throughout your tour and compare what you see with the forecast. If clouds begin to form or the weather shows signs of changing, don’t hesitate to turn back early or seek shelter—it’s never worth pushing through a route at any cost.

If you are surprised by a storm, your behavior is critical to staying safe:

Avoid exposed areas immediately, such as summits, ridgelines, or lone trees.
If possible, seek shelter in a mountain hut or descend into densely forested areas (keep distance from tree trunks).
Remove metal objects such as hiking poles or backpacks with metal frames, and place them at a safe distance from your body.
If no shelter is available, assume the lightning safety position: Crouch low on the ground, keep your feet close togethe and stay as small and compact as possible.

Mountain weather is highly unpredictable and can shift quickly.

Protecting Nature

The mountain landscape of Lech Zürs is both a fragile natural habitat and a precious place of recreation—for us as humans, but also for countless wild animals and alpine plant species. Respectful interaction with nature is our top priority.

Always remember: nature is a shared space—for locals, visitors, and future generations alike. Every individual can help protect and preserve the beauty of the Alps. Here’s how:

Leave no trace: Take all your waste back with you. Whatever you carry up the mountain should also come back down with you. Keeping the mountains clean allows others to enjoy untouched landscapes too.
Stay on marked trails: Straying from the path can damage fragile vegetation and disturb ecosystems. Stick to the official routes to help preserve the alpine environment.
Respect wildlife: Avoid disturbing wild animals. Loud noises, music, or leaving the trail can cause stress or harm to wildlife. Observe animals quietly and from a respectful distance.
Don’t pick flowers: Many alpine flowers are rare and protected by law. Admire them in their natural surroundings so they can continue to thrive for others to enjoy.