“When it comes to family holidays, my husband Alain and two boys Tayen, 16, and Mika, 14, and I are all about the great outdoors. We crave adventures that involve hiking, biking, and exploring nature rather than lounging by a hotel pool. This year, as summer approached in Singapore, we found ourselves dreaming of snowy peaks, lush landscapes, and fresh mountain air. A trip to Austria’s famous Lechweg Trail caught our attention, promising an escape into wilderness along what is known as the last unspoiled river in Europe.
Immensely appealing, it would take us away from the sweltering heat, far from the usual overun tourist spots in Europe, and straight into nature. I knew that my sons would also relish the hearty local food of meat and cheese. We had the option to hike or bike in the area, and we let the boys make the final decision: hiking it was!
Stunning scenery
After a bit of research online, we enlisted the help of Wild Rover Travel (wildrovertravel.com). They helped us out by booking charming chalets and small hotels along the trail so we didn’t have to think about where we’d be sleeping. They also provided us with an app for navigation and ensured we had all the necessary information for our journey. While we could have hiked with other people, we decided to go it alone, preferring to have the freedom to spend our days as we pleased, just the four of us.
The Lechweg Trail promised to be anything but a typical “fly-and-flop” holiday. Over the course of eight days (with one day for travelling), we hiked approximately 125 kilometres through stunning alpine scenery, starting in idyllic Lech am Arlberg and hiking the Lechweg to Neuschwanstein Castle in Füssen, Bavaria.
We traversed pine forests, postcard-perfect villages, and alpine meadows heaving with vibrant wildflowers. Each day felt like a new chapter, and our daily routine followed a simple rhythm: waking up to a hearty breakfast, hitting the trails in the morning, and stopping at a local supermarket for fresh bread, meats and cheeses for a picnic along the way. We’d often throw in some music from our portable speaker, creating a memorable soundtrack of our adventure against the backdrop of nature.
The evenings were left unplanned, allowing us to explore local eateries in cosy local villages before hitting the sack at one of the pre-arranged accommodations. These varied from 3 to 4 stars – nothing fancy, but each stay was clean and welcoming.
While we took on the Lechweg Trail at our own pace, we were never truly alone. A few fellow hikers shared the path, and we formed a friendly rapport with a Dutch family we kept bumping into. Amidst the landscapes, we discovered two breathtaking lakes, Formarinsee and Alpsee, that beckoned us in for a refreshing dip. One day, we took a ski lift up the mountains and stumbled upon a couple getting married whilst being serenaded by traditional Austrian Alphorn – a magical scene.
‘We traversed pine forests, postcard-perfect villages, and alpine meadows”
Changing landscape
Though we generally enjoyed pleasant weather, one day tested our mettle. Caught in a downpour without adequate gear, we trudged a few kilometres through the rain, quickly realising it perhaps wasn’t the best use of our holiday time. Thankfully, there are buses available along the trail to rescue weary (and wet!) hikers, so you never feel truly stranded.
Another lasting memory was when we found ourselves in the village of Maurach am Achensee, set at the foot of Mount Vigolana, which boasted a traditional Austrian spa. I was excited to try out the local custom of enjoying the facilities au naturel, but this left Tayan and Mika horrified, so they opted for mini-golf instead!
As we continued through charming villages, we couldn’t help but admire the meticulous flower boxes adorning the windows of the houses. The kaleidoscope of colours – vibrant reds, yellows, and purples were outstanding. With the Lech River constantly by our side we all became experts on its melifluous nature and marvelled at how it transformed with the changing landscape. At times narrow and meandering, it would suddenly widen into a majestic body of water reflecting the blue sky. The kids often debated the river’s taste and clarity as we stopped to sip from its cool waters.
While the trail itself was moderate in difficulty, it wouldn’t suit families with young children due to the long walking distances covered each day. However, for families with older children it’s a hidden gem for those looking for easy discoveries surrounded by incredible landscapes, without the chaos of crowds.
My favourite part of our holiday was simply being together with my family, immersed in stunning surroundings and enjoying the perfect climate – crisp blue skies and clement temperatures. Tayen would say his highlight was being able to legally order a beer aged sixteen! (Much to the annoyance of his younger brother!).
While we do enjoy exploring new places and embarking on new experiences, I can’t help but feel that we’ll be returning to Austria in the future. The Lechweg Trail was a sanctuary where adventure and the earth reign, and an ideal destination for families seeking to reconnect with nature and each other. There’s so much more to discover there.”
