Visiting Lake Lünersee in Vorarlberg, Austria

Lünersee is a large alpine lake high above Brandnertal in the Austrian State of Vorarlberg. Set amidst the striking limestone mountains of the Rätikon Alps, this gorgeous lake is a destination like no other.

Lünersee Lake is highly accessible, as there’s an aerial cableway that connects Brandnertal (Brandner Valley) to the lake. Not surprisingly, this is a very popular alpine destination for families and people of all ages.

We recommend carving out at least half-a-day to hike around the lake, eat lunch at Douglashütte, and even summit the highest peak in the Rätikon Alps.

We visited Lünersee in order to start this 4-day hut to hut hike, which was one of the best treks we’ve ever done in the Alps. 

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Lake Lünersee Hiking Map

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How to Get to Lünersee

Car

If you’re driving, you can drive through Brandnertal all the way to the parking lot at the Lünerseebahn cablecar.  

Parking fee | 4 EUR / day

Payment | EUR Coin, or card payment possible

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Public Transit

The easiest way to get to Lünersee is from Brandnertal. It’s easy to reach Brandnertal by public transit from Austria’s major cities.

From Innsbruck, Linz, Salzburg, or Vienna, take a direct train to Bludenz.

From Bludenz, take bus #580 to Brandnertal (direction: Lünersee). The bus station in Bludenz is located directly outside the train station. 

You purchase your bus tickets in the bus.

Travel time (Bludenz – Brand in Vlbg Lünerseebahn Talstation): 41 min.

Book your Train Ticket to Bludenz.

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Riding the Lünerseebahn

Lünerseebahn is an aerial cableway to Lüner Lake, high above Brandner Valley. You can walk from the base of the cableway station to the lake, but we suggest taking the Lünerseebahn. 

Opening Times | Current Opening Times

Operating Hours | ascent: every 15 min between 8:00 am and 16:55 pm; descent: every 15 min between 8:10 am and 17:00 pm

Prices | Current Pricing

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Where to Eat around Lünersee

Douglass Hütte

Douglass mountain hut (1979 m) is located next to the Lünerseebahn top station. They have ample outdoor seating along the lake as well as comfortable indoor seating.

The food is excellent. And, the service is even better. We loved their Bauernsalat (Farmer’s Salad). 

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Lünersee Alpe

The Alpe Lünersee is a traditional “Alpe” (aka alm) mountain hut, located on the opposite side of the lake from Douglass Hütte.

You can try their fresh Buttermilch (buttermilk), which is a traditional dairy drink in the Austrian Alps. They also serve sausage, cake, and a few other snacks.

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Totalphütte

Totalp mountain hut (2385 m) is located on the trail to Schesaplana peak, a good 400-meter ascent from the lake.

We stopped here for an Apfel Strudel and coffee – both of which were outstanding. 

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Lünersee Day Hikes

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Lünersee Circuit Trail

The Lünersee circuit trail wraps around the entire lake. This is an easy trail suitable for everyone. From the cableway top station, you can walk in either direction.

If you go right first, the trail is initially flat. If you go left first, you’ll pass Douglasshütte (1979 m), cross the reservoir wall, and then initially ascend several meters, before the trail levels. 

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Trail Stats Lünersee Circuit Trail

Trailhead | Lünerseebahn mountain station

Distance | 6 km circuit

Time Needed | 1:45 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 105 meters

Difficulty | Easy

Minimum Elevation | 1967 meters

Maximum Elevation | 2071 meters

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Lünersee Circuit Trail and Gafalljoch ridge (2239 m)

This hike follows the circuit path to Lünersee Alpe, which is the alm mountain hut located directly across the lake from the cableway top station. From here, you’ll hike to Gafalljoch ridge.

The Gafalljoch ridge forms part of the Austrian – Swiss border, so you can step foot into Switzerland.

After enjoying the view from Gafalljoch (2239 m), head back down to the lake and complete the loop.

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Trail Stats Lünersee Circuit Trail and Gafalljoch ridge

Trailhead | Lünerseebahn mountain station

Distance | 8.6 km lollipop circuit

Time Needed | 3 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 364 meters

Difficulty | Moderate

Minimum Elevation | 1967 meters

Maximum Elevation | 2239 meters

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Totalphütte (2385 m)

After exiting the cableway station, make a right. Follow the circuit trail around Lünersee until you see a sign to Totalphütte (2385 m).

It’s a 400 m ascent to the hut. You’ll need sturdy hiking shoes.

Hike up here for delicious food and great views of the lake. After enjoying the hut, hike back down to the lake.

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Trail Stats Totalphütte

Trailhead | Lünerseebahn mountain station

Distance | 6.7 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 2:45 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 418 meters

Difficulty | Moderate

Minimum Elevation | 1972 meters

Maximum Elevation | 2383 meters

Read Next: Best Day Hikes in Austria

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Schesaplana Summit (2964 m)

This difficult hike to the highest mountain in the Rätikon takes 3 hours.

After passing Totalphütte (2385 m), you’ll continue ascending to the summit (2964 m).

Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring your hiking poles with you. The path is clearly marked and easy to follow. Expect lots of scree.

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Trail Stats Schesaplana

Trailhead | Lünerseebahn mountain station

Distance | 13.4 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 5:30 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 1095 meters

Difficulty | Moderately difficult

Minimum Elevation | 1967 meters

Maximum Elevation | 2965 meters

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Lünersee Multi-Day Hikes

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Lünersee 4-Day Hut to Hut Hiking Route

We hiked 4 days around the Rätikon mountains, starting and ending at Lünersee. We wrote this detailed Rätikon hiking itinerary, so you can experience this amazing route too.

Here’s the route summary:

Day 1 | (Brandnertal) – Lünersee – Lindauer Hütte (4 hours, 10 km)

Day 2 | Lindauer Hütte – Tilisunahütte – Carschinahütte (5 hours, 10.2 km)

Day 3 | Carschinahütte – Schesaplanahütte (6 hours, 15.8 km)

Day 4 | Schesaplanahütte – Schesaplana – Totalphütte – Lünersee – (Brandnertal) (9.2 km, 5 hours)

If you’re new to hut to hut hiking, read our Hut to Hut Hiking in Austria Guide.

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Lünersee 3-Day Hut to Hut Hiking Route

This is a perfect 3-day route suitable for families and anyone who wants an easy, but tremendously beautiful hike.

If you’re new to hut to hut hiking, this is a great place to start. You can follow the same itinerary. However, on Day 3, you’ll descend down to Lünersee from Gafalljoch/Cavelljoch.

Day 1 | (Brandnertal) – Lünersee – Lindauer Hütte (4 hours, 10 km)

Day 2 | Lindauer Hütte – Tilisunahütte – Carschinahütte (5 hours, 10.2 km)

Day 3 | Carschinahütte – Gafalljoch/Cavelljoch – Lünersee – (Brandnertal) (5 hours, 13.6 km)

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Where to Stay near Lünersee

The best base for exploring Lünersee is in the town of Brand in Brandnertal.

Midrange | Pension Bergkristall is an apartment-style accommodation in Brand, next to the Dorfbahn Cable Car Station. If you’re planning to base yourself in Brandnertal for a few days, or even a week, you’ll feel very comfortable here. Breakfast is available upon request.

Midrange | Hotel Lün is a top-rated modern alpine hotel in Brand, offering double rooms as well as apartments with fully equipped kitchenettes and dining areas. Highlights of staying here are the spa area, the breakfast buffet, the fresh and cheerful design.

Luxury | Aktiv-Hotel Sarotla is a stylish and modern hotel with excellent spa facilities, spacious rooms with balconies, and a fabulous hotel restaurant and bar. Guests can participate in guided hiking and cycling tours free of charge.

Look for accommodation in Brandnertal.

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Learn more about the European Alps:

• The Alps in Summer: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting 
• Hiking in the European Alps: Invaluable Tips