Discover Schnepfau: Hiking Trails, Chapels, and Special Nature Experiences

Schnepfau is a destination for travelers who want to combine activity in the landscape with special cultural and natural discoveries. The Schnepfau–Hirschau–Schnepfegg–Schnepfau circular hiking trail starts in the village center, chapels tell stories of regional craftsmanship and devotion, and the Wälder and Abendrot via ferratas offer different options for active days on vacation. When choosing your holiday apartment or accommodation, it is therefore particularly useful to consider which experiences you would like to plan from Schnepfau.

Hiking Trails with Different Starting Points

The Schnepfau–Hirschau–Schnepfegg–Schnepfau circular hiking trail provides particularly clear orientation. It starts and ends in the center of Schnepfau and runs at the foot of the Kanisfluh. This makes it easy to incorporate the tour directly into a day planned from the village. Those looking for a route combining cycling and hiking can consider the Bike-&-Hike route from Schnepfau: First, it leads by bicycle to the Schnepfegg, followed by a long trail over the Hirschbergalpen to the Hirschbergsattel. The hiking section runs along the southern slope of the Hirschberg to the summit and offers expansive panoramic views.

Shorter individual trail sections can also play a role in planning. From the parking lot on the Schnepfegg, a good, wide trail leads to the Unterhirschbergalpe. There is also a connection for a winter hike from the Mellau mountain lifts via the Engevorsäß to Schnepfau. The Schnepfau Dorfplatz stop is served by bus routes 840 and 850, making it a relevant point of orientation when arriving by bus.

Chapels, Traditional Costume, and Notable Nature

The Wendelinskapelle stands on the Schnepfegg. It is a pilgrimage site with valuable old votive tablets and altars dating from the 19th century. In Schnepfau itself, the village linden tree is also designated as a natural monument. Such destinations add a cultural or natural-history accent to a day of hiking without every outing having to focus solely on sporting activity.

Another insight into regional tradition can be gained during the music club’s ceremonial appearances in Schnepfau, when the club wears the original Bregenzerwald men’s traditional costume. The Wirmboden Chapel was built in 2016 by the owners of the Vorsäß properties, with considerable work contributed by the owners themselves. It was designed by the architects Innauer Matt using regional stone and wood. The Burg also deserves attention: it is a small island mountain with exceptionally diverse and unspoiled vegetation.

Tours and Via Ferratas for Planning Your Day

During the snow-free months, the Wirmboden Chapel can be reached from the center of Schnepfau via a hike of around 2 kilometers with just over 200 meters of elevation gain. The parking lot at the eastern edge of Schnepfau is used for the Wälder via ferrata; from there, it is about a 10-minute walk to the start.

Another option is the Abendrot via ferrata, which is rated difficulty E. The associated parking lot is located at the northeastern edge of Schnepfau, and from there it is about a 10-minute walk to the start. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Schnepfau can therefore choose between days featuring a circular trail starting in the village center, a longer bike-and-hike combination, a winter hike, or a specifically planned via ferrata tour.

If the focus is on the circular hiking trail, the chapels, and proximity to the village, the location of the trailhead in the center supports planning a correspondingly central trip. If, on the other hand, you are planning the Wälder via ferrata, the Abendrot via ferrata, or trails starting at the Schnepfegg, you should include the respective parking and trailhead details in your daily organization. This allows families who want to combine nature, regional culture, and active pursuits to decide what kind of vacation days they can expect in Schnepfau.

For further searches for suitable places, you can also look at Lauterach, Schwarzach, Riefensberg, Sibratsgfäll, Au, Sulzberg, Eichenberg, and Hard.

For the overarching travel overview: Bregenz.