The Green Ring - 3rd Leg

Directions

Take the hiking bus towards Zug from the hike starting point at the post office. Get off at the ”Zuger Kirchle” stop. Follow the paved road through town until you reach the turnoff to the (1) fish pond. A pasture trail branches off to the right here, which leads up through the ”ditch” to where the alp is fenced off. From there, follow the path diagonally to the right, slightly uphill between pillars 7 and 8 of the Zug cable car to the edge of the forest. A forest path then goes steeply uphill through the (2) Scribbles to the (3) Balmalp. From here, a wider alpine path continues, on level ground at first, then inclining to the right and then further uphill to the peak of the (4) Kriegerhorn (2,173 m) (but you can also stay on the alpine path and walk directly to the Kriegeralpe). From there, walk downhill to the (6) stone wall, past the Speichersee Lake to the (7) Krie geralpe. After some invigorating refreshments, continue along the wide alpine path. Soon, you take a path that branches off to the right. At the next junction, take the lovely hiking trail to the left through blooming alpine pastures going downhill until you reach a path by the river. Follow the path to the right going downhill alongside the river until you reach a paved back road. Turn right and walk past the Hotel Goldener Berg. Here you will reach a gravel path on your left which takes you back downhill to the lower station of the Oberlech cable car. Turn right and follow the supply road through the forest clearing to the (8) Libellensee Lake. The (9) forest education trail will take you to the extensive pastures of the Schlegelkopf (you can also follow the trail going downhill from the Oberlech cable car, which will take you directly to the Rud-Alpe.) From here, follow the wide supply road going steeply downhill to the (10) Rud-Alpe, where you will be rewarded with refreshments on the beautiful sun terrace. Continue downhill from here until you reach a paved back road. Keep to the left and turn right at the next junction and continue downhill. This path will take you to the old roofed wooden bridge. Follow the Lech Promenade to the left of the river until you reach the Pension Waldesruh. Cross the Lech River on the bridge and you end up back at the starting point.

Suggestions

Special features: Scribbles – here you will encounter woodcarvings of mythological creatures at every turn

Sights: The Libellensee Lake – hidden deep within the forest, the shores of this calm lagoon are inhabited by countless mythological creatures

Refreshment stops: Restaurants in Lech am Arlberg, Zug or Oberlech, Kriegeralpe and Rud-Alpe

At the (11) post boxes, you can pick up free postcards that you can write on the spot and throw back into the post box. Post is collected and sent out once a year.

Equipment

Good footwear (ankle high, profile sole), rain protection, Lech Card and bus timetable.

Safety information

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY call:
140 Alpine Emergencies throughout Austria
144 Alpine Emergencies Vorarlberg
112 Euro-Emergency-Call (works with every mobile phone / in every net)

http://www.austria-holidays.info/en/hiking-mountains-austria/orientation-and-safety-1658504.html

Public transport

Take the train to Langen am Arlberg or St. Anton am Arlberg station. From there, buses (no. 750+760) run at regular intervals to Lech Zürs am Arlberg.