Unique panorama!

When the hecticness of the everyday routine gains the upper hand again, the residents of Bregenz have a miracle cure – their 1,064-metre-high local mountain. With this view from the summit onto Lake Constance, the city and the Alps, one’s thoughts are calmed and the stress is put into perspective. Each of the two cabins comfortably offers space for 80 people. Silently and in an environmentally friendly manner, you glide towards the mountain.

Thanks to the windows that go down to a low level, small children and wheelchair users can also enjoy the incomparable view of the Switzerland-Germany-Austria border triangle during the ride. Flush entrances and exits make the cabins easily accessible; nine seats are available.

Those who do not shy away from the short but energy-requiring ascent overcome the 600 metres in altitude from Bregenz themselves. Those who want to have it more relaxing or to use the summit as a starting point for more extensive trips are supported by the Pfänderbahn or the country buses to the Fluh rockface, to Eichenberg, Möggers or Langen.

The trip is also worthwhile in terms of food. Around the mountain station and along the cheese trail to Lutzenreute there are numerous inns and snack stops to choose from. For example, anyone who has interrupted a hike to stop at the Trögerstüble, the Gasthof Paradies or Moosegg is sure to return. Especially on autumn days, Kaiserschmarren and bacon dumpling soup at “Moosegg” are good for body and mind.

Around the Pfänder there is a dense network of hiking and cycle paths to delight walkers and ambitious sport enthusiasts in equal measure.

Onto the Pfänder via the Gschlief
One of the most popular routes onto the Pfänder runs in 1:45 h via the steep “Gschlief”. It starts at the valley station of the Pfänderbahn. In the opposite direction, there is less sweating involved and there is a view of the lake on offer. Those who would like to start at the mountain station should choose the comfortable-to-walk cheese trail, which leads past small farm shops and catered rest stops. Illustrated boards explain interesting facts about the production of Vorarlberg cheese. Depending on the variant chosen, between 3 and 4 ½ hours should be scheduled. A more mountainous option is the five-hour “Drei-Eintausender-Wanderung” from the Pfänder to the Hochberg, Hirschberg and back.

Magnificent views by bike
A panoramic route leads comfortably from the mountain station of the Pfänderbahn to Bregenz via Eichenberg and Lochau in an hour’s riding time. A more challenging trip, 37 km or 2:45 h long, goes to the Hirschberg, to Scheidegg and Scheffau and offers magnificent views of Lake Constance, the Allgäu and Bregenz Forest. Here, 600 metres of altitude are to be overcome. Tip: between 8am and 10am, passengers of the Pfänderbahn can take their bicycles with them for free.

Pfänderbahn timetable:
Daily from 8am to 7pm, journey time 6 minutes
On the hour, every hour, as well as on the half hour, every hour. Intermediate trips every 15 minutes, minimum 10 persons

NOTE Closed:
07/11/2016 – 18/11/2016 – annual inspection
13/02/2017 – 06/04/2017 – annual inspection