Hinterhornbach: Trails and History

Hinterhornbach lies in the only inhabited left-hand side valley of the Lech Valley in the Allgäu Alps. There, the Hornbach has carved out a naturally very wide riverbed and flows for more than 17 kilometres from its source to the Lech.

Scenery and Trails in the Hornbach Valley

A winter hike starts at the western edge of the village and follows the Hornbach. After about 3.9 kilometres, it reaches the unstaffed Drähütten huts. The Great Drähütten Loop leads into the Hornbach Valley and back to Hinterhornbach. The Small Drähütten Loop follows the original course of the Hornbach and offers views of the Hochvogel and the village; visibility depends on the weather.

A route from Hinterhornbach to the Petersbergalm leads across flower-filled meadows, through shady patches of woodland and sunny clearings, to the Drähütten huts. Vegetation and trail conditions vary with the season. Cyclists are welcome on the easy farm track from Hinterhornbach to the Petersbergalm. The paths once used by smugglers are now signposted and developed as hiking trails. As trail conditions can change, it is advisable to check the latest information before setting out.

Church and Village History

The area was settled from Germany, or the Allgäu, via the Hornbachjoch. Another chapter in the village’s history is the parish church of “Our Lady of Good Counsel”: built between 1761 and 1764, it is a unified Baroque building with a single-bay choir and a north tower. A painting of Our Lady of Good Counsel is displayed on the high altar. Pilgrimages from the Lech Valley to see this painting were once frequent; this is a historical tradition.

Summer Destinations and a Challenging Ski Tour

In summer, hikers climb from Hinterhornbach to the Hochvogel and its smaller neighbouring peaks in the Allgäu Alps. Another tour leads to the Bretterspitze: the ascent starts at a small car park in Hinterhornbach. The ski tour is challenging and requires very stable conditions. Reassess conditions before setting out.

More Destinations and How to Get There

Above the municipality is the place of tranquillity known as “Am Anger”, accessible via a meadow path. It is beside a small stream that flows past the Rigglerhof; benches invite you to dangle your feet in the water. As access and facilities may change, check whether the site is currently accessible before visiting. The Kaufbeurer Haus is another destination with a mountain-hut feel: it is a Category I self-catering hut and can be reached from Hinterhornbach in about 2.5 hours.

The road to Hinterhornbach ends at the car park in front of the Jochbach Bridge. Local traffic regulations may change; check the latest information before travelling. For trip planning, options can be grouped by season and difficulty, from a winter hike along the river to summer summit destinations and a challenging ski tour.

Discover more destinations: Stockach/Bach, Haldensee, Hinterbichl, Biberwier, Breitenwang, Schattwald, Bschlabs, Wängle.

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