Bangs-Matschels Irises loop

A blue-purple sea of flowers Info/Facts: Just a few decades ago, the meadows in the Rhine Valley shone in a bright violet in June thanks to the flowers of thousands of Siberian irises. Due to the increasing loss of land and the more intensive use of many areas, only remnants of this former sea of flowers can be found in Vorarlberg today. These bloom all the more beautifully and offer an impressive experience every year. A very special area is the Bangs-Matschels European nature reserve near Feldkirch. It not only offers a habitat for the beautiful irises, but also a home for numerous rare butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and some of the rarest bird species in Austria. For this reason, it is particularly important that we are extremely considerate when traveling in the area. The beauty here can be best enjoyed on foot or by bike. These meadows are one of the last refuges for rare animal and plant species in the increasingly used valley areas. The path alternates between alluvial forest, commercial forest and meadows up to the Illspitz. Along the way, in addition to the iris, we also find marsh gladiolas and sweet garlic. Protection and conservation The area is designated as a protected area and provides a habitat for very special animal species such as the corncrake, the whinchat or one of Austria's rarest butterflies, the moorland meadow bird, which has its only and last occurrence in Austria here in the Bangs-Matschels European protected area. It is important throughout the area that you only walk on the signposted paths and that you are not allowed to enter the meadows in the protected area between March 15 and September 15 (not even for a great photo). If you have dogs with you, please make sure that they are on a leash at all times. For the rare, ground-nesting bird species in this area, dogs running loose are a great danger and a high stress factor. If we pay attention to these points, then the beauty of this very special area can be enjoyed in all its glory. Tip for experiencing The circular walk through the European protected area starts at the Gasthaus Stern in Bangs, which is also easily accessible by public transport in the city of Feldkirch. From the inn, the path initially leads right into the protected area. After crossing a small forest area, the first "iris meadows" open up on the left. With a total area of almost 80 hectares, these habitats are still traditionally managed as litter meadows. This extensive form of agricultural use is implemented by mowing once in the autumn. The mown material is used as bedding in the stables, which is where the name "litter meadows" comes from.

Getting to the lowest mountain in Vorarlberg was a real adventure but coooool 👍 (the pictures are a bit mixed up) start: at the Bangs chapel (free) a little way towards the Swiss border before going right along a hiking trail along the Spiersbach (wow, the grass has been mown) over the bridge and into the nature reserve Soon you reach the junction and the adventure begins through high grade, overgrown forest, over and under trees, stream crossings through knee-deep water... to "lowest mountain in Vorarlberg" the "Matschelser Bergle" around 1775 stones were broken on the north side for the construction of the Ill dam, intensive quarrying in the years 1924-1926. the already small Bergle was about half removed. https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matschels I have a story/legend found over the mountain, which was not so small at the time https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/schulprojekte/Vlbg/Gnomenfluch_Matschelserbergle.html descent another detour to the Illspitz power station before returning to the starting point via paths through the Matschelser nature reserve.