Lech, in the western reaches of Austria, is awash with see-and-be-seen skiers in winter. In summer, however, it’s a place transformed. The melting snows reveal jewel-green slopes and a village filled with gourmet restaurants and boutiques – plus summer cable cars and buses that open up several hundred kilometres’ worth of hiking and cycling paths. Summer holidays in Lech dive into this pretty picture of rugged mountains, turquoise lakes, meadows and forests, while also offering plenty for families with a penchant for adventure.
Walking holidays in Lech: 350 kilometres of alpine trails
Lech is a great base for exploring the mountainous Arlberg on foot and by bike. Seek out summits, and ramble wildflower meadows and woodland paths that start in the centre of Lech - stopping off at a rustic mountain hut or two along the way to treat your tastebuds and refuel with some local food. The Arlberg Trail is a long-distance path created in 2021 to connect the five Arlberg villages of Lech, St. Anton, St. Christoph, Zürs and Stuben. The Lechweg Trail is another classic, following one of the wildest river landscapes in Europe. One section goes through Lech and close to the river’s source at Formarinsee Lake – once voted the most beautiful place in the country by Austrian TV viewers.
From Walser roots to world gourmet village
Boutique shops, luxury hotels, spas and chic restaurants stock the streets of Lech. It can all feel a long way from the village’s modest farming roots. With the highest per capita ratio of award-winning restaurants, there's good reason this little gem is nicknamed the gourmet village. But look a little closer, and you’ll find traditional restaurants offering hearty Austrian recipes too. The good food continues into the mountains where you can refuel with Wiener schnitzel or kaiserschmarr'n (caramelised pancakes with rum-soaked raisins) in a rustic mountain hut.
You can get more of a flavour of Lech’s history in the Huber House Museum, as well as the 14th-century church of St. Nicholas, where a stern grey exterior hides away a delightfully OTT rococo interior.
Explore on summer lifts
Walkers and cyclists can take advantage of up to six ski lifts that open for the summer. Rüfikopfbahn climbs over 2,000 metres to the plateau of Lech Zürs, the first leg of the Green Ring (that’s the summer edition of the legendary White Ring ski circuit). Meanwhile, the Bergbahn Oberlech heads to a plateau renowned for its sunny hills, turquoise lakes, mountain huts and the Skyspace art installation, where you can watch the changing sky in a Space Age bunker.
Lech Forest Pool and the Green Riddle Ring
Lech Forest Pool lays out lanes, loungers, waterslides, playgrounds and and an ice cream kiosk amongst green lawns and the shady pines of the forest. In summer, kids’ alpine activity clubs transform children into mini mountaineers with forest camps and wildlife walks. Elsewhere, the Green Riddle Ring follows the Green Ring – but with a bonus round of puzzles to be cracked at each stop.
Why book a summer holiday in Lech with Inghams?
At Inghams, we do walking holidays differently. With no fixed itinerary, you have more time in your destination and the freedom to walk as much or as little as you like, discovering some of Lech’s best walking routes and activities at your own pace.
With 90 years of outdoor travel experience, our holiday packages to Lech include flights, transfers, and accommodation, so you can relax and leave the small details to us. Our experts can help you choose the best holiday for you, and our team in resort can give you the inside scoop on how to spend your time away with us.
