4.8
(97)
847
hikers
16
hikes
Mountaineering routes around Höchst are situated in the foothills of the Alps, near Lake Constance, offering diverse terrain for alpine enthusiasts. The region is characterized by prominent peaks like Pfänder, dramatic gorges such as Känzele, and historical sites including Hohenbregenz Castle Ruins. These features combine to create a landscape suitable for challenging ascents and scenic traverses.
Last updated: May 4, 2026
4.7
(19)
110
hikers
2.38km
01:03
170m
170m
Hard mountaineering route. Great for any fitness level. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
4.7
(3)
44
hikers
6.75km
02:38
310m
310m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

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5.0
(1)
11
hikers
13.2km
04:18
540m
540m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
7
hikers
15.2km
05:31
730m
730m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
9
hikers
5.62km
02:12
340m
350m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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Dornbirn Market Square / Market Hours: Wednesday and Saturday mornings Dornbirn Weekly Market – the place to meet! Visitors can find the sweetest fruits on Wednesday and Saturday mornings at Vorarlberg's busiest weekly market, featuring a wide variety of local products and popular specialties. At over 60 market stalls, you can buy groceries such as fish, meat, game, olives, jams, cheese, mushrooms, pasta, as well as flowers and seedlings. Freshness, quality, and regionality are paramount, while numerous cafes and restaurants offer a relaxing atmosphere for a pleasant morning. And at home, when you unpack your freshly purchased groceries, flowers, or farm products for the first time, the real enjoyment begins – that's quality. Dornbirn Weekly Market The beautiful pedestrian zone with its spacious market square is the ideal starting point for any shopping trip. Dornbirn's city center is particularly beautiful in spring. It has been car-free since 1989, allowing for a relaxed stroll. It's precisely the perfect mix of the vibrant market atmosphere, shops, cafés, bars, and restaurants that makes Dornbirn's city center so popular and captivating. Text / Source: Dornbirn City Hall https://innenstadt.dornbirn.at/wochenmarkt
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St. Martin's Parish Church, Dornbirn The current church represents at least the fifth building on this site. St. Martin's Church was first mentioned in 1130. Only the freestanding bell tower remains from the Gothic church built in 1453. A new church was constructed in the Rococo style between 1751 and 1753. The tower was heightened to 64 meters in 1767. The hall-like, single-nave church is the largest church in Vorarlberg. Interior dimensions: 65 meters long, 30 meters wide, 14.5 meters high. Height of the exterior columns: 13 meters. The current church was built in 1839/40 under Pastor Schweinberger. The plans were provided by State Architect Martin von Kink. From 1967 to 1969, the church was redesigned by architect Emil Steffann from Bad Godesberg to meet contemporary liturgical needs. The church is the mother and main church of the city. Since the city was divided into six districts, this core area has also been called the first district. The church is particularly noteworthy due to its location in a picturesque square with various old and new houses, a fountain, and five streets radiating from it. Until late in the 19th century, the parish of St. Martin encompassed the entire area of the city of Dornbirn. Text / Source: Dornbirn Market Parish, Dornbirn https://www.pfarre-st-martin.at/
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As we rolled casually through the town, the church stood out with its mighty pillars. The Roman Catholic parish church of Dornbirn-St. Martin, dedicated to St. Martin, belongs to the deanery of Dornbirn in the Diocese of Feldkirch. The building is a listed building. More about the church: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pfarrkirche_Dornbirn-St._Martin
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Only the tower remains of the former Gothic church. The church was rebuilt in the Neoclassical style and adorned with a monumental porch in the Greek style.
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Gourmet & event castle with magnificent views of the Lake Constance region
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South of the Pfänder summit is the Pfänder Dohle guesthouse, which enjoys a very quaint location.
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Around 1100, the Count of Bregenz built the castle on a rocky outcrop of the Gebhardsberg, high above the city. "Sunken in holy enthusiasm..." begins a poem inspired by Hohen Bregenz Castle. In 1143, the castle passed to the Counts of Pulllendorf, and shortly thereafter, around 1170, to Count Palatine Hugo II of Tübingen (father of Hugo I, Count of Montfort). The upper part of the castle was sold to the Habsburgs in 1451, and the lower part in 1523, and the castle became the seat of Austrian bailiffs. Converted into a fortress at the beginning of the 17th century, the Swedes blew up large sections of the castle during the Thirty Years' War. The circular wall and parts of the palace survived. The attached church became a popular place of pilgrimage in honor of Saint Gebhard. The old sacristan's house, which has since been converted into a restaurant, looks forward to your visit. Even today, the fantastic view over the Rhine Valley and Lake Constance attracts numerous visitors.
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There are over 15 distinct mountaineering routes around Höchst, offering a variety of experiences from moderate ascents to challenging climbs. The region's diverse terrain ensures there's something for every skill level.
Yes, Höchst offers several moderate mountaineering routes. For example, the Pfänderbahn Mountain Station – Pfänder Summit loop from Bregenz is a popular moderate trail, taking about 4 hours 11 minutes to complete and offering panoramic views from the Pfänder summit.
For experienced mountaineers, the Höchst region provides challenging routes that often include via ferrata sections and significant elevation gains. A notable difficult route is the Känzele Via Ferrata – Hohenbregenz Castle Ruins loop from Bregenz, which combines a thrilling via ferrata experience with historical exploration.
Yes, many of the mountaineering routes in the Höchst area are designed as loops, allowing you to start and end at the same point. Examples include the Pfänder Summit – Hohenbregenz Castle Ruins loop from Bregenz, which leads through alpine forests and open ridges, and the Mountaineering loop from Dornbirn.
The routes around Höchst offer a blend of natural beauty and historical sites. You can encounter dramatic gorges like Känzele, enjoy panoramic views from peaks such as Pfänder, and explore historical sites like the Hohenbregenz Castle Ruins. Additionally, the region is close to Lake Constance, offering beautiful lakeside views like the Bregenz lakeside promenade.
Yes, the area around Höchst is home to several beautiful waterfalls. You might encounter the Fallenderbach Waterfall, the Small waterfall and wooden bridge in Bregenzerachschlucht, or the Mühlentobel Waterfall, adding a refreshing element to your mountaineering adventure.
The mountaineering routes around Höchst are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.8 stars from over 100 reviews. Reviewers often praise the diverse terrain, which includes alpine summits, via ferrata sections, and historical castle ruins, as well as the stunning views over Lake Constance and the surrounding Alps.
The best time for mountaineering in the Höchst region, located in the foothills of the Alps, is typically from late spring to early autumn (May to October). During these months, the weather is generally more stable, and trails are free of snow, making for safer and more enjoyable conditions. Always check local weather forecasts before heading out.
Given Höchst's location near Lake Constance and its proximity to towns like Bregenz and Dornbirn, public transport options such as buses and trains are generally available to reach various starting points for the routes. It's advisable to check local transport schedules for specific trailheads before your trip.
For mountaineering in Höchst, it's essential to be well-prepared. This includes sturdy hiking boots, weather-appropriate layers (even in summer, as mountain weather can change quickly), sufficient water and snacks, a first-aid kit, a map or GPS device, and sun protection. For routes involving via ferrata, appropriate climbing gear (harness, helmet, via ferrata set) is mandatory.
Yes, the region around Höchst, being a popular outdoor destination, often has mountain huts, restaurants, or cafes located near trailheads or along popular routes, especially around areas like the Pfänder summit. These provide opportunities for refreshments and meals during or after your mountaineering tour.


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