Wolfurt: Castle history, pilgrimage trail and zoo

Wolfurt brings together a variety of themes: castle history, a pilgrimage trail to Bildstein, wildlife watching and a tour starting in town. If you are looking for a hotel in Wolfurt, your travel plans can help you choose the right focus for your stay.

Wolfurt Castle and its history

Wolfurt Castle has shaped the landscape for around 800 years and is considered a landmark. The oldest parts of the castle complex are the tower’s basement and ground floor, which date back to the first quarter of the 13th century. The time references relate to different aspects: the figure of around 800 years describes the castle’s impact on the landscape, while the 13th-century dating applies to the oldest tower sections mentioned. This distinction helps separate the castle’s long-standing presence from the dating of individual structural elements.

The surroundings of Wolfurt Castle, its event spaces and its outdoor area are also worth exploring. Alongside its architectural history, these are further specific aspects of the castle that you can take into account during your stay.

The ICH BIN pilgrimage trail

The ICH BIN pilgrimage trail leads from Wolfurt Parish Church through Ippach Forest and the Rickenbach Gorge to the Maria Bildstein pilgrimage church. The trail includes seven sandstone steles. Its sequence of parish church, forest, gorge and pilgrimage church makes the route easy to follow through its named stops and landscape features.

The route is 5.1 km long, has an elevation difference of 385 m and takes around two hours to walk. The distance, elevation difference and approximate walking time provide different points of reference for planning your day. The route thus combines a specific time estimate with a clearly described path from Wolfurt to Bildstein.

Zoo and vineyard on the castle slope

More than 70 different animal species can be seen at Doppelmayr Zoo in Wolfurt. Examples include coatis, alpacas, raccoons, kangaroos and various bird species. The zoo offers a different focus from the castle and pilgrimage trail: here, the emphasis is on observing a range of animal species. The animals kept at the zoo may change over time.

Since 2023, the market town of Wolfurt has operated a vineyard on the castle slope together with the Bewusstwein winery. This local connection complements the historical themes surrounding Wolfurt Castle with a present-day municipal initiative.

A tour starting in Wolfurt

The “Via the Schneiderkopf in the Bodensee-Vorarlberg region” tour starts in Wolfurt. It can be completed from Alberschwende by taking a bus to the starting point in Wolfurt. If you plan to use this connection, check public transport services before setting off. This lets you include the bus ride to the starting point in Wolfurt in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Lochau, Sibratsgfäll, Bregenz, Riezlern, Mittelberg, Bizau, Au, Langen Bei Bregenz

Go to the main travel overview: Bregenz.