Schnepfau: Hiking Trails, Chapels and Local History

Explore Schnepfau through its trails, chapels and local traditions. When planning, the type of route is a good place to start: a loop beginning in the village center, a hike to a chapel, or a combination of cycling and hiking sections.

Hiking Around Schnepfau

The Schnepfau–Hirschau–Schnepfegg–Schnepfau circular hiking trail begins and ends in the village center of Schnepfau and runs along the foot of the Kanisfluh. If you are planning a longer hike starting from Schnepfegg, you will find a good, wide trail there leading to the Unterhirschbergalpe. These details describe different trail sections and landmarks.

One specific destination is Wirmboden Chapel: during the snow-free months, a hike of around two kilometers, with just over 200 meters of elevation gain, leads there from the village center. These approximate figures provide a guide for planning the route; the elevation gain is part of the description, as is the seasonal condition.

The Bike & Hike route from Schnepfau begins with a bike ride to Schnepfegg. From there, a long trail leads across the Hirschbergalpen to the Hirschbergsattel. The hiking section follows the southern slope of the Hirschberg to the summit and offers sweeping panoramic views. The winter hike from the Mellau mountain lifts via Engevorsäß to Schnepfau is a different option. The routes described therefore differ in their mode of travel and season: cycling and hiking are combined on the Bike & Hike route, while the other route is specifically described as a winter hike.

Via Ferratas and Practical Information

The parking area at the eastern edge of Schnepfau is used for the Wälder via ferrata; from there, it is about a ten-minute walk to the start. The parking area for the Abendrot via ferrata is at the northeastern edge of the village, also about a ten-minute walk from the start. The Abendrot via ferrata is rated difficulty E. Each approach therefore has its own parking location; the difficulty rating applies to the Abendrot via ferrata.

Parking and access conditions may change. Check them before your tour, and also confirm the current difficulty rating for the Abendrot via ferrata. The Schnepfau Dorfplatz stop is served by bus routes 840 and 850. If you are planning to travel by bus, check the current timetable before setting off.

Chapels and Local Traditions

Wendelinskapelle on Schnepfegg is a pilgrimage site. Its notable features include valuable old votive tablets and 19th-century altars. The pilgrimage site, votive tablets and historic altars give the chapel a distinctive place in local cultural history.

Wirmboden Chapel has a different story behind its creation: owners of the Vorsäß properties built it in 2016, contributing a great deal of their own labor. The architects Innauer Matt handled the planning; regional materials, stone and wood, were specified. The year it was built and the community’s hands-on effort describe its construction, while stone and wood were part of the chapel’s design.

The music association is another example of a local tradition. When performing, its members wear the original Bregenzerwald men’s traditional costume. Schnepfau’s cultural heritage can therefore be explored not only through its chapels, but also through the costume worn at the association’s performances.

Village Linden Tree and Burg

The village linden tree in Schnepfau is designated a natural monument. Burg, meanwhile, is a small inselberg with exceptionally diverse and unspoiled vegetation. The two places represent different aspects of the local landscape: the linden tree has a designated protection status, while Burg is notable for its inselberg formation and vegetation.

When planning your trip, you can consider these themes separately: the circular hike and the hike to the chapel are described as walking routes, the Bike & Hike route combines cycling and hiking, and the winter hike is a separate seasonal option. In addition, Wendelinskapelle, the history of Wirmboden Chapel and the local traditional costume offer specific cultural points of interest during a stay in Schnepfau.

Discover more destinations: Sulzberg, Andelsbuch, Lingenau, Möggers, Schröcken, Buch, Fußach, Mittelberg

View the main travel overview: Bregenz.