Discover Bregenzerwald

The Bregenzerwald is located in the most westerly part of Austria, in the state of Vorarlberg, close to Lake Constance, a neighbour of Germany, Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Hiking and rambling paths in the Bregenzerwald not only take you to the summit: they relate the histories of nature’s beauties, the way of living, and famous people. Up on the mountains, expect to be fascinated by the views and hiking paths – but also be prepared for atmospheric events: from the mountain breakfast through to trips to watch the sun set through to meetings amongst musicians.

The Bregenzerwald Guest-Card is your “ticket” to these mountain experiences. It is your unlimited ticket to take the cable car to the top as often as you like, is valid for environmentally-friendly rides on the public buses, and is your permit to refreshing, relaxing times in the outdoor swimming pools. The card is available to all visitors who spend at least three nights in the Bregenzerwald between 1 May and 31 October 2013.

Around 30,000 people live in the Bregenzerwald, in 22 villages in total. The Bregenzerwald locals – “Wälder” as they are known – are confident, independent people proud of their roots yet receptive to new things, too. With due consideration, this combination enables the development of the unexpected in a harmonious way, refusing to accept passing trends.

The successful, courageous blend of tradition and modernity is clearly presented by the architecture and craftsmanship. Both disciplines are closely interwoven, and are a symbol of that which the locals of the Bregenzerwald are experts in: appreciation of art, of beauty, the creation of pleasure, both sophisticated and practical. This interplay is both visible and perceptible in many places:

• In the accommodation: many of the hotels, guest houses and farms combine the old with the new, or have been newly and very sensitively built in recent years. The new, light-flooded wellness refuges with a view of nature are particularly charming.
  
  
• The cooking in the multi-award winning restaurants and inns uses regional products which enjoy a creative interpretation. The Bregenzerwald locals are true masters in the art of cheese production, especially of “alpine cheese”. The KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald, with its multitude of informative and pleasurable stations, is dedicated to cheese culture.
  
  
• The classical and the modern merge in the cultural programme, with the surrounding countryside playing its part. The highlight every year is the Schubertiade Schwarzenberg in the Angelika Kauffmann Hall, which affords a view of the surrounding meadows and forests.

NEW: the Werkraum Haus
The new Werkraum house is set to open in Andelsbuch in Summer 2013. The well-known Swiss architect Peter Zumthor has planned the building which is intended to be a centre for exhibitions and a meeting place. The hall-like structure will be simple, spacious and transparent with a glass façade surrounding the events space. The flat roof will be a grid construction made from wood. The Werkraum Haus will also accommodate a shop where visitors can purchase Werkraum products. A tourism information point will offer information and interesting facts about the region.