Alternative Walk 2: Elbigenalp - Holzgau

The distinctive Lechweg Trail markings
Descent from the suspension bridge to Holzgau

Die Tour

Beautiful alternative hike on the Lechweg (Lech River Trail)  from Elbigenalp to Holzgau.

This route section of the Lechweg with a variety of lovely views will take you from the main town of Lech Elbigenalp across the Benglerwald, the Schigge plateau and over the exciting Holzgauer suspension bridge (alternatively over the Höhenbach valley) to the pretty village of Holzgau.

Autorentipp

Stop of at the traditional Lechtaler Hexenkessel hut at the Jöchlspitze-Bahn valley station for a nice refreshing drink!

Info

Schwierigkeit
mittel
Aufstieg
577 hm
Abstieg
537 hm
Tiefster Punkt 1033 m
Höchster Punkt 1318 m
Dauer
4:30 h
Strecke
13,3 km

Details

Kondition
Erlebnis
Landschaft
Technik

Wegbeschreibung

Start

Bus Stop, Hotel Alpenrose Elbigenalp (1064 hm)

Ziel

Hotel Bären in Holzgau

Weg

As soon as you reach the Alpenrose bus stop in Elbigenalp you’ll find the Lechweg marked route, a curved L.

0.00 km - Start at the Alpenrose bus stop in Elbigenalp with the Hotel Alpenrose behind you. On the street opposite there will be an M-Preis supermarket and the Tourist Information Office. TURN LEFT over the bridge of the Bernhardsbach river. You will pass a large car park on your left.

0.20 km - TURN RIGHT onto a tarred dirt track. You’ll walk parallel to Bernhardsbach past meadows.

0.60 km - You will arrive at the Lech and the Lechweg. TURN RIGHT and from here keep following the very clear Lechweg signs to Holzgau.

10.30 km - You will now be on the Schigge plateau above Holzgaus. Here you can choose whether you want to go over the Holzgauer suspension bridge or through the Höhenbachtal valley and past the Simms waterfall.

If hiking across the Höhenbachtal:

KEEP RIGHT and follow the path that leads you downhill through mountain forest to the Cafe Uta. Here you will find the standard E5 route.

11.70 km - TURN LEFT at Cafe Uta and follow the well-marked hiking trail through the Höhenbachtal. After 200m, you’ll pass the Simms waterfall.

12.60 km - Above you, the Holzgauer suspension bridge stretches across the Hochenbachtal.

12.80 km - You will pass through a gate and arrive at a road with several car parks for hikers. Continue STRAIGHT AHEAD, following this road until the intersection with the main road.

13.30 km - You will now have arrived at the Bären guest house in Holzgau. When you are in front of the guest house, there will be a parking lane to the left of you and on the right a sign saying "Taxi Feuerstein Madau". If you are now staying overnight in Madau, the Feuerstein Taxi service will go from here. There is no proper bus stop, the red minibus stops in front of the parked cars on the left-hand side.

If you’re staying in Holzgau, don’t forget to check where you are spending the night!

Anreise

Öffentliche Verkehrsmittel

From Oberstdorf on the train to Reutte: https://www.mona-allgaeu.de/ 

From Reutte by bus 4268 to Elbigenalp: https://www.lechweg.com/de/service/busverbindungen/ 

Get off at the Hotel Alpenrose stop

Weitere Informationen

Refreshments can be picked up at Gasthof Baeren. Lechtaler Hexenhessel or Café Uta along the way, however opening times may vary. You should always carry enough food and water to see you through the day!

If you are staying in Madau, please bear in mind that you will need to be in Holzgau at 16:15 in order to be able to use the Madau taxi.

Ausrüstung

Always wear good walking boots with a robust sole, and take waterproofs with you. Don’t forget to take plenty of water with you (at least two litres per person) and to protect yourself against the sun.

Sicherheitshinweise

Today you may be walking past a few different areas where cows graze. Although generally very docile and used to walkers, keep your distance and never turn your back on a cow that is behaving strangely or aggressive. Be particularly vigilant around cows with calves. 

Always allow enough time for your hiking tour. The specified walking times only refer to actual time spent walking. Breaks for photos and a rest need to be added to the specified times.

Make sure you find out about current weather conditions and keep an eye on weather changes. Thunderstorms can happen very quickly in the Alps.

Do not leave the marked hiking trails!