Riezlern – Cultural Trails, Water and Mountain Activities

If you are looking for a hotel in Riezlern, the range of activities provides a practical framework for planning your trip: local history, trails by the water and activities at Kanzelwand each offer a distinct focus. When choosing your excursions, it is worth taking the season into account, as some activities are seasonal or may change in operation.

Local History and Church Art

The Walser Cultural Trail: Riezlern Village Loop starts right in the village center. Along the trail, information boards are posted on buildings and at places of historical and cultural interest. This lets you combine the village loop with a look at the area’s architectural and cultural history, rather than viewing it simply as a hiking route.

Riezlern Parish Church also brings together art from different periods. The present-day church was rebuilt in 1889 in the Neo-Romanesque style. Its baptismal font bears the year 1608 and is decorated with Gothic ornamentation. In 1903/1904, Martin von Feuerstein and his master class created paintings in casein technique in the parish church. Another stop for church art is the Fatima Chapel Maria Dank in the Riezlern-Schwende district: it was built in 1950; inside are frescoes and stained-glass windows by Vorarlberg artist Hubert Berchtold.

Trails with Different Focuses

The similarly named Burmi activities follow different routes: the stroller-friendly Burmi Trail runs along the Breitach from Hirschegg to Riezlern. Along the Breitach Trail, it offers nine play and activity stations. The Burmiwasser Trail, by contrast, leads from the Kanzelwand mountain station to Riezler Alpsee. Its stations feature pools, water wheels and sluice gates where children can experiment with water. Check the seasonal availability of the Burmiwasser Trail before your trip.

For a longer loop, the circular hike through the Breitach Gorge runs from Riezlern, Walserschanz, via Zwingsteg, Sesselweg, Alpe Dornach, the gorge chapel and the Breitach Gorge ticket office, back to the starting point. Route conditions and access can vary seasonally, so check the current conditions in advance. The Schwarzwasserbach nature explorer adventure is a different themed route: it leads from Schröflesäge along the Schwarzwasserbach to the natural bridge.

Water Activities and Playful Training

Riezlern outdoor swimming pool has a 50-meter swimming lane and a 59-meter water slide. As seasonal operations may change, check the current opening hours before your visit. The Schwand Nature Experience Site is a quieter option, with a basin for arm baths, a gravel-bottomed wading pool and a rest area with wooden loungers. In WalserPark Riezlern, the BikeArea is designed for first rides and playful training on your own bicycle.

Kanzelwand and Getting Around

The Kanzelwandbahn is located in the center of Riezlern. At the foot of the lift, CrystalGround offers opportunities for snowboarding and freeskiing in winter; operating conditions may vary by season. The Two-Country Via Ferrata at Kanzelwand is intended for experienced mountaineers and climbers. Weather and the time of year can affect conditions and access, so it is advisable to check before setting out.

Riezlern is reached via Germany, particularly via Oberstdorf. The Walserbus takes you from Riezlern to Baad and into all the side valleys. As bus services may change, check the current timetable before travelling. This lets you organize the village loop, hikes and other activities according to the destinations you actually want to include in your stay.

Discover more destinations: Reuthe, Hörbranz, Sulzberg, Eichenberg, Doren, Andelsbuch, Schwarzach, Mellau.

Go to the main travel overview: Bregenz.