Walk to Elbigenalp

Start

The Post Office in Holzgau

Ziel

Spar Supermarket in Elbigenalp

Weg

The walk today starts in the town square (Dorfplatz) in Holzgau, in front of the post office/tourist information centre.  With the building behind you, walk towards the church, crossing the road to pick up the signs for the Lechweg.

After a couple of hundred meters, you will find yourself standing in front of the church and at a junction of small roads.  From here your route will be determined by your choice to either cross the Hängebrücke suspension bridge or not. If the weather is good, at this point you should be able to look up and see the bridge!

If you wish to take the bridge route, turn up the hill, with the church to your left, following the small road and the signs for Hängebrücke über Schiggen.  If you would like to take the Simms Waterfall route, follow the Lechweg path signed “Lechweg via Bach” sign – this path leads under the bridge to the waterfall at the head of the gorge.

Directions for the Suspension bridge walk

Continue to follow the signs for the “Hängebrücke”.  Soon you will pick up the Lechweg “L” waymark signs again.  Then, cross the bridge….the crossing is an incredible experience affording superb views up the gorge and down to the valley below.  After crossing the bridge, you can choose to continue on the Lechweg by following the “L” symbols straight on signed “Panoramaweg Richtung Bach”.  Alternatively if you would like to see the Simms Waterfall, take the path on your left after crossing the bridge following the signs for Café Uta. After walking a few hundred metres, you will be able to see the dramatic waterfall at the head of the valley.  At this point, retrace your steps to return to the Lechweg trail and the lovely panoramic path that leads to Schiggen (where there is a viewing platform). The trails then rejoin and continue towards Bach.

The path passes through alpine meadows before entering the forest.  Once in the forest, there are sections of steep ascent, and descent.  Take care on the narrow forest paths, particularly where they are open sided to the valley below. You are currently on the left bank of the Lech, and close to Stockach (approx. 5.8km) there is a beautiful wooden bridge across the river.  This is a great place for a photo, but don’t cross the bridge.  Continue on the left bank of the river once again as the path ascends steeply to Hexenkessel, and the Joechlspitzbahn cable car station. Here you can take the cable car up to the mountain restaurant at Berggastof Sonnalm (using your Lech Aktif card) for the views and a spot of lunch, or lunch at the restaurant by the cable car station.  It is worth double-checking opening times if this is an option you would choose to take.  There is also a bus stop here, should you wish to curtail your walk today and take the bus to Elbingelalp.

Beyond Hexenkessel, the trail passes through meadows and by several farms before entering the forest again near the hamlet of Seesumpf.  After a short ascent, the path descends, via a small chapel, towards the village of Bach.  As you reach the church, you can choose to turn right into the village, or continue to follow the Lechweg by crossing the road ahead of you and following the Lechweg signs which lead you once again along the left bank of the Lech. Follow the path as it passes through fields and forest towards Elbingenalp.  Take care on the section that joins the road (stay on the pavement) and continue to follow the path close to the river.  

After crossing an architecturally impressive bridge with covered wooden sections, turn immediately left onto a woodland track following a blue “L” Lechweg sign towards Elbingenalp.  Reaching the road into the village, turn right and follow the pavement to the small Spar supermarket where today’s walk ends.  There is a café with a terrace above the supermarket serving excellent apfelstrudel….