Schwarzach: Whetstone History and Hiking Routes

Schwarzach offers travelers specific starting points for cultural and hiking interests: the history of whetstone production, St. Sebastian Parish Church, and two routes with different focuses. The local history museum explores local crafts; when planning your routes, you can choose between a pilgrimage trail with a named route and a nature trail with details on duration and elevation gain. This makes it easy to tailor your stay to the topics that interest you most.

Crafts and History

Whetstone production in Schwarzach dates back to the 17th century. The local history museum houses the Schlifar Museum, which explores the history of this production, as well as a workshop for haymaking equipment. Both subjects are brought together under one roof: whetstone production and the haymaking equipment named in the workshop’s title. A whetstone is a sharpening stone; the term makes the museum’s connection to local crafts immediately clear.

Above the village fountain, the Wetzstein-Hansel commemorates the local stonecutters, who were known as “Schlifar.” This gives the Schlifar Museum’s name a concrete connection to the craftspeople whose work the memorial honors.

St. Sebastian Parish Church was built between 1901 and 1903, after the older church, built in 1803, had become too small. The new building therefore belongs to a later construction period than the start of whetstone production in the 17th century. At the same time, the older church is part of the village’s building history: St. Sebastian was not the first church building, but replaced an earlier one.

Hiking from the Church

The “Panoramic Pilgrimage” pilgrimage and hiking route leads from the church in Schwarzach via Geisbirn and Bildstein, then back to the church. Wayside crosses and chapels along the Stations of the Cross line the route. The sequence of places gives the tour a clear direction: from the church as its starting point, via the two named stops, and back again.

The “Schwarzach – Farnach Moos – Alberschwende” nature trail starts at St. Sebastian Parish Church and passes through Eulentobel toward Farnach-Moos. It is rated moderate, is 8.52 kilometers long, and includes 450 meters of ascent and 160 meters of descent. The stated duration is 3.4 hours. The rating and route details give you specific information to consider when planning for time and elevation profile.

The two routes have different focuses: the description of the “Panoramic Pilgrimage” emphasizes its circular route and religious trail markers, while the nature trail is also characterized by distance, elevation gain, and duration. This lets you compare the routes based on their stated features rather than considering only their shared starting point at the church.

Parking for the nature trail is available at the church. Before you arrive, check whether parking is currently available. Guided tours of St. Sebastian Parish Church are intended for children aged 7 and up. If you plan to join a tour, ask in advance about a suitable time and current availability.

Farnacher Moos

Farnacher Moos nature reserve was established in 1976, covers 15.67 hectares, and is located in Alberschwende and Bildstein. The nature trail leads toward Farnach-Moos; the protected area itself belongs to the two municipalities named above.

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To the main travel overview: Bregenz.