Brand – A Hidden Valley in Vorarlberg Austria - Between History and the Heights Brandnertal Travel Guide

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Sep 9
7 min read

Updated: Sep 14

Brandnertal Valley – a little history of a big place

Brand is a small village at the very end of the Brandnertal valley in Vorarlberg.

Once, it was nothing more than an alpine farming settlement, where life revolved around seasons, cattle pastures, and cheese-making. Long before ski lifts and Instagram, this narrow valley was already special. High above Brand, on the Tschengla plateau in Bürserberg, you can still walk past Neolithic stone circles — a prehistoric site that hints at human presence here thousands of years ago.

Alpine valley in Brandnertal with jagged peaks and forested slopes under summer clouds. — Brand

Centuries later, Walser settlers — migrants from today’s Valais in Switzerland—crossed the passes in the 13th–14th centuries and founded communities in the Brandnertal. Their footprint shaped the farms, dialect, and building style that give the village its character today. You’ll still find museums and themed trails that tell this story. In the 19th century, Brand was still better known for dairy products than tourism. Only with the rise of railways and the Alpine “Kurort” culture did travelers and early alpinists discover the valley.

Today, Brand has kept its authentic, quiet charm. It feels like a mountain village at heart, yet it has become a basecamp for hikers and climbers seeking both stillness and adventure.

Hiking – trails that teach you to pause with Brandnertal Travel Guide

Surrounded by the rugged Rätikon mountains, Brand is a gateway to countless trails. They range from gentle valley walks to demanding high-alpine ascents. The crown jewel is Lünersee – a turquoise glacial lake tucked beneath the cliffs of Schesaplana and Drusenfluh. A circular hike around the lake is accessible to most and offers moments of pure pause: reflections of peaks mirrored on the water, silence broken only by the wind.

For those seeking a challenge, the trail to Schesaplana (2,965 m), the highest summit of the Rätikon, is a classic. The climb requires stamina and surefootedness, but rewards with sweeping views across Vorarlberg, Switzerland, and as far as Lake Constance.

Turquoise Lünersee beneath dramatic limestone cliffs and storm clouds. — Lünersee

Premium Guest Card (summer lifts included)

Stay 2+ nights at a Premium partner and you get unlimited rides on participating summer lifts during their operating season (bike transport excluded) + free public transport across Vorarlberg and one Val Blu pool entry per stay.

2025 validity: May 9 – Nov 2, 2025.

Included local lifts list (check daily ops): Dorfbahn Brand, Panoramabahn, Palüdbahn, Loischkopfbahn, Lünerseebahn, plus regional neighbors (Muttersberg, Sonnenkopf, Seekopf, Rüfikopf, Oberlech, Zugerberg).

Where I stayed:

Appartement Haus Zalim — genuinely recommended

Quiet, central self-catering apartments with mountain views; ~500 m from the Dorfbahn valley station — perfect when you want first lift for a lake loop or bike laps. The hosts were exceptionally kind and responsive, offering local tips and making check-in/out effortless. It’s the kind of place where you feel looked after yet completely free to keep your own rhythm.

Why I recommend it

5–7-minute stroll to Dorfbahn (great for sunrise starts or the last gondola down).
Balcony with wide mountain-and-valley views — sunrise coffee, sunset glow.
Calm at night despite the central location — easy to rest and reset.
Self-catering setup = flexible breakfasts and late post-trail dinners.
Plenty of space to sort hiking/bike gear without feeling cramped.
Hosts who actually care: quick replies, helpful suggestions, and a seamless, welcoming stay.

All photos below were shot from my balcony at Appartement Haus Zalim.

👉 Check availability at Appartement Haus Zalim

Hiking — from lakeside loops to high-alpine days

From family-friendly trails to alpine challenges, this Brandnertal travel guide will help you plan your perfect trip.

Lünersee Circuit — easy, family-friendly

6–7.7 km • ↑↓ ~100–150 m • 1.5–2 h

Cable car: Lünerseebahn → shoreline path (flat after the dam); food: Douglasshütte / Totalphütte.

Alpine panorama of Lünersee, turquoise water under cloudy sky. — **Lünersee**

Dorfbahn ↔ Panoramabahn Panorama Circuit (Natursprünge-Weg) — easy

~6–8 km • ↑↓ ~150–250 m (net descent back) • 2–3 h

Dorfbahn → Panoramabahn (on-foot transfer, well signposted) → return via Natursprünge-Weg (gently descending) through Faregg → Innere Parpfienzalpe → Parpfienz.

Options: quick detour to Niggenkopf; or take the gondola down as a shortcut.

Alpine pasture above Brandnertal with cow, spruce trees and distant peaks under blue sky. — **Panoramaweg**

Tschengla High Plateau Loop — easy/medium

~8–10 km • ↑↓ ~250–400 m • 2.5–3.5 h

A sunny balcony with views of the Zimba; brushes the Walserweg and the stone circles.

Wide grassy ridge with forest and panoramic mountain views in Vorarlberg, Austria. — High-meadow panorama above Brandnertal

Schattenlagant Hütte — moderate

~12–14 km • ↑↓ ~500–700 m • 3.5–5 h

Up a valley shaded by forest to a classic mountain hut.

Oberzalimhütte via Zalimtal — moderate/full day

~14–18 km • ↑↓ ~900–1100 m • 5–7 h

Wilder, less-crowded corners; ambitious hikers can link towards Mannheimer Hütte.

Lünersee → Totalphütte (+ Schesaplana) — challenging

To Totalphütte: ~6–8 km • ↑↓ ~700–900 m • 3–4.5 h;

Schesaplana 2,965 m: full-day, only for the sure-footed.

Bonus (multi-day): Rätikon High Trail

A hut-to-hut traverse starting at Lünersee—mixes Austrian and Swiss huts, airy ridges, and glaciers-carved scenery.

Tips: Check lift hours before you go, bring a light wind layer (it’s breezier on the ridge), and plan a snack stop at one of the alp huts along the way.

Via Ferrata – iron paths between fear and flow

Brandnertal has a small but memorable set of klettersteigs—cables, rungs and ladders that turn cliff into a vertical hike.

Highlights

Kellenegg (B/C, short): a compact first ferrata with real exposure in places—great for practicing clipping and footwork close to the valley.
Saulakopf (C/D, advanced): longer and more athletic above Lünersee, with airy traverses and a big-mountain feel; stamina and sure-footed movement required.

Minimum kit

Helmet • certified VF lanyard with energy absorber (Y-type) • sit harness • grippy gloves • sturdy shoes.

Weather & exposure

Avoid rain and thunderstorms. Shaded slabs can stay wet/slippery after showers; expect sustained exposure and occasional rockfall—keep spacing from parties above.

New to this? Book a guided intro—you’ll learn clipping cadence, movement, and how to manage headspace safely.

Mountain biking — flow, freeride, and high-alpine tours

Bikepark Brandnertal (Bürserberg/Brand)

A compact, lift-served network with ~30 km of trails across flowlines, singletrails, freeride and downhill—good mix for beginners through experts.

Highlights:

Tschengla Unchained (ST-01) – easy flowline with big scenery; perfect warm-up laps.
Upper & Lower Tschoy Ride (ST-11/12) – easy to intermediate flowtrails you can chain for long, grin-inducing descents.
Burtscha Trail (ST-07) – intermediate singletrail with classic alpine feel.
Alte Statt Trail (ST-08) + Wilder Wald variant – intermediate with a tougher variant (roots, steeps) for advanced riders.
Tschäck the Ripper (ST-02) – intermediate freeride line; airtime without full-on gnar.
Tschack Norris (ST-03) – downhill, difficult; for experts only.
Tscharlie Tschäplin (ST-04) – intermediate freeride; ~2.4 km / 300 m drop. (Seasonal wildlife closure until June 15 each year.)

Lift & season notes: Summer 2025 operations are adjusted due to Loischkopfbahn reconstruction (check daily status before you go).

E-bikes: transport allowed on Dorfbahn and Panoramabahn; Loischkopfbahn requires battery removal (when in service). Always follow staff instructions.

Enduro / e-MTB tours from Brand

Nenzingerberg Tour (MB-02) – advanced loop into wilder corners of the valley; proper big-day feel.
Around Brandnertal (MB-02) – advanced panoramic circuit linking plateaus and huts.

Tickets & the Premium Guest Card

Your Premium Guest Card (from 2+ nights at partner stays) gives unlimited rides on participating summer lifts for hikers/sightseers and discounted Bikepark pricing (bike transport is not included). Great combo if you plan to mix hiking with a few bike-park days.

Getting There

Rail: international trains to Bludenz, then bus up the valley to Brand.
By car: parking at main valley stations (e.g., Dorfbahn).
Local mobility: the guest card covers Vorarlberg public transport; check timetable changes outside peak season.

Mountain Safety & Trail Etiquette

Weather first: alpine storms build fast — start early, turn back early.
Footing: sturdy shoes; poles help on loose descents.
Water/Food: refill at huts when open; carry enough between.
Emergency: 112 (EU). Share your plan; charge your phone.
Etiquette: yield on narrow paths, keep dogs under control, pack out all trash, respect wildlife closures.

Why Brand?

Unlike famous Alpine hotspots like Zermatt or the Dolomites, Brand remains intimate, almost secretive. That’s its charm. It’s a valley where you can slow down: rest by a mountain hut, breathe in the smell of alpine meadows, or simply follow a path without rush. A place where pastoral history blends with modern outdoor life, and nature still takes center stage.

It’s compact, authentic, and ringed by trails: one day you’re looping a sapphire lake; the next you’re clipping into iron rungs high above it.

History isn’t a museum piece here — it’s the path under your feet...

Rustic mountain cabin surrounded by blooming flowers in Brandnertal, Austria.

Know before you go

Season & snow: Late May–mid Oct is prime. Early/late season can hold snow on higher paths; Schesaplana often into July.
Lifts: Hours vary and can pause for wind/maintenance. Always check morning status and last gondola times.
Premium Guest Card: Free with 2+ nights. Unlimited pedestrian lift rides (bike transport not included), free regional buses, + 1 Val Blu entry. Carry the card (digital or plastic) to show at the ticket window.
Cash vs card: Many huts still prefer cash. Bring some € for food/drinks.
Water & huts: Don’t assume drinking water on route. Carry 1–2 L. Huts like Douglasshütte, Totalp, Schattenlagant, Oberzalim typically open summer—check days.
Weather & storms: Afternoon thunderstorms are common. Start early, turn back if clouds build. Pack wind/rain layer even on bluebird days; sun is strong (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses).
Navigation: Trails are well signposted (yellow Austrian signs). A GPX helps, but don’t rely only on your phone—download offline maps or bring a paper map.
Via ferrata safety: Full PPE (EN 958 lanyard, helmet, harness, gloves). Know the grade; skip in wet/ice/thunder. First-timers: book a guide.
MTB etiquette: Yield where signed shared, control speed, and respect seasonal wildlife closures (some Loischkopf trails until mid-June).
Wildlife & gates: Stay on paths in Ruhegebiet/Schongebiet zones. Keep dogs on a lead around cattle; close gates behind you.
Drones: Often restricted near huts/protected areas—check local rules before flying.
Emergencies (Austria): 112 EU emergency • 140 Mountain Rescue • 144 Ambulance. Consider insurance that covers mountain rescue (e.g., Alpine club).
Transport & parking: Bus 580 serves Brand Dorfbahn. Note last departures. Paid parking by Dorfbahn fills on sunny weekends.
Day-hike kit (quick list): sturdy shoes, 1–2 L water, snacks, wind/rain shell, warm layer, sunscreen, small first-aid, headlamp, power bank, ID + cash.

Brandnertal: official planning links & live updates

Getting there / practical

Journey planner (Vorarlberg / vmobil): https://www.vorarlberg.travel/en/activity/mobile-on-vacation-2/
Val Blu pool (included once with Premium Card): https://www.valblu.at/

Where I stayed

Appartement Haus Zalim (Zalim House): https://www.haus-zalim.at/

Updated: 10 Sep 2025

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