Oberlech – Göppinger Hütte – Gasthaus Älpele Day Hike, Lechquellen Mountains, Austria

Göppinger Hütte (2245 m) is a mountain hut in the Lechquellen Mountains in Vorarlberg, Austria.

The fastest approach to Göppinger Hut is from Unteres Älpele in Zugertal Valley.

However, a more interesting ascent route begins at Petersboden, accessible by cableways from Lech am Arlberg. 

This is a point-to-point hike across a high-alpine environment. The trail traverses scree slopes and uneven karst terrain.

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Göppinger Hütte Day Hike Map

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How to Get to the Petersboden Trailhead

From Lech am Arlberg, you have to take the Lech-Oberlech Cable Car followed by the Oberlech-Petersboden Chairlift. 

These cableways are included in the Lech Card, which we recommend purchasing if you’re spending more than one day in Lech.

If you don’t have a Lech Card, purchase a one-way ascending ticket only.

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Lech – Oberlech Cable Car (“Bergbahn Oberlech”)

Season | Mid June – Early October 

Operating Hours | 8:30 – 12:00 and 12:30 – 18:00

Timing | 15 min (.00, .15, .30, .45)

Pricing | Lech Zürs Cable Cars

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Petersboden Chairlift 

Season | Mid June – Early October 

Operating Hours | Mon-Sun, 8:30 – 17:00

Timing | Continuous

Pricing | Lech Zürs Cable Cars

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Petersboden – Göppinger Hütte – Gasthaus Älpele Trail Description

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Petersboden – Kriegeralpe – Butzensattel (1:30 hours)

Follow the wide gravel trail, which leads uphill from the chairlift mountain station.

On your right, there’s a small modern ski hut, called Der Wolf, which tempts you to abandon your hike and just enjoy lunch with a view.

After 130 meters (2 minutes), the trail divides. Head left, following signs to Kriegeralpe (10 minutes), Göppinger Hütte (3:45 hrs), and Butzensee (1:30 hours). 

The wide path continues to the managed Kriegeralpe hut, which has an inviting, sunny terrace. When we hiked by here on a Sunday, a priest was conducting an alpine mass at the hut. 

Continue hiking uphill. Looking behind you, the views of the Lechtal Alps and even the Allgäu Alps get better and better. 

After a few serpentines, you’ll reach a signed intersection. Continue left onto the narrow hiking trail (Göppinger Hütte: 3 hrs), leaving the wide gravel path. 

The dirt trail crosses meadows and tussock slopes below Zuger-Hochlicht, initially along a pasture fence.

After about 10-minutes, the trail divides. We chose the lower track. 

The trail continues easily to another unmarked intersection, near Butzensee Lake. Continue left (the right trail goes to Mohnenfluhsattel).

Before reaching the Butzen saddle, you’ll pass above the Butzensee Lake, at the foot of Mohnenfluh. 

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Butzensattel to Göppingerhütte (2:15 hours)

The path progresses towards the ridge of the triangle-shaped Buzen Spitze. From a distance, it looks far harder than it actually is. 

Ascending steadily now, the trail cuts easily though heavy karst terrain (labeled “Buzen” on trail maps).

As you near the ridge, light scrambling is needed.

When you crest the Butzenspitze ridge, continue right towards the peak. 

Soon, you’ll see the descending path to Göppingerhütte. The initial descent is slippery, because of the scree. Hiking poles are very helpful.

Recommended Hiking Poles: Unisex Black Diamond Hiking Poles

The trail levels out and you’ll continue crossing the scree slopes of Butzenspitze, Kleinspitze, and eventually Braunarlspitze. Enjoy the incredible views of the Lechtal Alps. 

After 15-20 minutes, the trail splits. Take the lower track and descend to a signed intersection. Continue straight to Göppinger Hütte (1:15 hours).

The trail leading right ascends to the summit of Braunarlspitze. 

Though still hiking on scree, the trail is easy and mostly flat for about a kilometer. The path then ascends 100 meters to the spur of Löffelspitze peak. 

When the trail plateaus at the spur crest, it’s flat again for a while.

Enjoy the views of Spullerschafberg, Pfaffeneck and Pöngertlekopf, all rising magnificently above Zugertal Valley.

Soon you’ll see Göppinger Hütte, situated on the Gamsboden high-alpine plateau.

The final descent to the hut requires attention, as you navigate some rocky steps, with loose stones and scree.  

Göppinger Hütte (2245 m) serves food until 4 pm. After 4 pm, you can only order drinks.

The hut is open from late June until late September, depending on snow conditions.

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Göppinger Hütte – Unteres Älpele (1:30 hours)

The trail continues to the viewpoint, overlooking Zugertal, cradled by the stunning peaks of the Lechquellen Mountains.

The hike from Göppinger Hut to Unteres Älpele is very pleasant.

You’ll descend continuously for 4.5 km (683 m descending) to the alpine pastures of Upper and Lower Älpele. 

From the (unmanaged) Upper Älpele pasture, the trail continues along a gravel road all the way down to the Lower Älpele pastures and your final destination: Gasthaus Älpele in Zugertal.

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Bus Return: Unteren Älpele to Lech am Arlberg

The bus stop is located just across the road from the Gasthaus Älpele.

Bus stop Unteres Älpele: Google Maps

You can take bus 6 or bus 7 to Lech am Arlberg. These buses are also included in the Lech Card.

If you don’t have the card, the bus ride costs an exorbitant 10 EUR per person. 

Current Timetable: Lech Zürs Local Buses

The bus ride to Rüfiplatz, the main bus stop in Lech am Arlberg, takes 15 minutes.

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Where to Stay in Lech am Arlberg

Lech am Arlberg is an alpine village in the Arlberg region of Vorarlberg. It’s situated at an elevation of 1444 meters, between the Lechquellen Mountains and the Lechtal Alps. This darling destination is one of our favorite places to hike in Austria in summer.

You can take advantage of the regional summer busses to tackle a number of point-to-point hikes like Spuller Schafberg to Zug, the first stage of the Lechweg, the Rüfikopf to Stuttgarter Hütte Trail, and our favorite Formarinsee to Spullersee Trail.

Budget | Lech Hostel is a budget-friendly accommodation in Lech am Arlberg, offering clean and cozy single, double, and triple rooms. Guests have access to a shared kitchen and shared lounge. Bathrooms are shared as well. The room rate is unbeatable. 

Midrange | Hotel Garni Schneider is a top-rated, affordable bed and breakfast, situated next to Rüfikopfbahn in the center of Lech. Bedrooms are nicely decorated, spotless, and comfortable. Guests also have access to a wellness area (Finnish sauna, steam bath, Kneipp basins, and relaxation room) and free private parking.

Luxury | Hotel Auenhof is a family-run 4-star superior hotel, situated along the River Lech, facing Omeshorn. With its dreamy location and extraordinary staff, Hotel Auenhof outshines other Lech accommodations in terms of its hospitality and atmosphere. The highlight of staying here is the gourmet multi-course dinners, which delight with their creative ingredient combinations, flavors, and presentations. Many hotel restaurants strive to be innovative, but none so successfully as Hotel Auenhof. As a guest, you’ll also enjoy the generous, complimentary afternoon snacks and a very nice wellness area.

Luxury | Der Berghof is a sophisticated, 4-star superior hotel in the center of Lech. This hotel delivers an unparalleled experience in terms of style, comfort, wellness and cuisine. Bedrooms are designed with premium materials and furnished with extraordinary attention to detail. The wellness area features five modern saunas, a cold water basin, and a foot bath. The breakfast was extraordinary.

Luxury | Hotel Arlberg Lech is a top-rated, upscale hotel in the very heart of Lech village. Stay here for their award-winning spa and wellness area, an oasis comprising a heated pool, 6 saunas, a cold plunge pool, ladies-only area, and hydrotherapy showers. Half board available.

Look for an accommodation in Lech.

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