Nature protection area ”gypsum holes”

Directions

From the Lech Rüfiplatz you take the Oberlech mountain railway and then continue your journey with the Petersbodenbahn cable car. From here you take the path uphill for a short distance, then turn right and over the gravel path back downin the direction of the ”Gipslöcher” turn-off. Then you turn left, cross the (1) Gipslöcher nature reserve and follow the service road on the right down to (2) Gruben alpe. Turn right at the Alpe and take the geological nature trail.Follow the path to the left going downhill through beautiful pastures full of flowers towards Oberlech. You will reach another path. Follow it, keeping right and going downhill. The path leads onto a paved back road. Turn right and walk past the Hotel Goldener Berg and follow the path to the (3) Bergbahn Oberlech cable car. From here, you can either take the cable car back to the starting point or take the hiking path through the ”Burgwald” forest or across the Rud-Alpe back to the starting point.

Suggestions

With over 1,000 dolinas, the Gipslöcher are considered a geological rarity in Europe. The largest dolina has a diameter of almost 100 m and a 35m-deep crater. Home to 20 different species of orchids, the area is genuine treasure trove for botanists. The hike is most beautiful from July to mid-August when the orchids are in full bloom. This varied landscape is an ideal habitat for groundhogs which are protected from their natural enemies, the soft gypsum rock making for excellent cave building material. Signboards along the educational trail inform visitors about the formation of this dolina landscape in the course of history.

Equipment

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

Safety information

EMERGENCY CALL:

140 Alpine Emergencies Austria-wide

144 Alpine Emergencies Vorarlberg

112 Euro emergency call (works with any mobile phone/network)

www.vorarlberg.travel/sicherheitstipps

Public transport

By train to Langen am Arlberg station or St. Anton am Arlberg. From there, buses (No. 750+760) run regularly to Lech Zürs am Arlberg.