Lünersee

Lünersee – alpine reservoir and starting point for high-alpine tours

The Lünersee, at an altitude of 1,970 meters, is one of Vorarlberg's most impressive reservoirs. This formerly natural mountain lake was dammed in the 1950s and now supplies water to power plants in the region. Surrounded by the rugged limestone cliffs of the Rätikon, it is also a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers. Thanks to the Lünerseebahn You can reach the lake in just a few minutes – but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Short info:

• How high is the Lünersee? At 1,970 m above sea level
• Where is the lake? At the end of the Brandnertal in Vorarlberg
• How do you get to the lake? With the Lünerseebahn in 5–6 minutes from the valley station
• When does the train run? Daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, season end of May – mid-October
• How much does the round trip cost? Here you will find the prices. Free with the Guest Card Premium, Available from 2 nights.
• Is there parking available? Yes, chargeable 4 €/day, parking spaces are limited
• How do I travel by public transport? Take the Postbus line 580 from Bludenz Train station via Bürs, Bürserberg and fire
• How long does it take to circumnavigate the lake? About 1.5–2 hours, about 6 km
• Is the circular route suitable for strollers? Yes, on the east side; the west side is narrower and rockier
• Are there any special hikes? Yes, turn-off to the Totalphütte (approx. 1 h), heart shape of the lake visible above

The valley station of the Lünerseebahn is located at the end of the Brandnertal valley. Access is via fire, but parking spaces there are limited and subject to a fee. The operating company points out that parking at the valley station is subject to a fee (as of summer 2025: €4 per day) and that fines may be charged for exceeding the limit. Parking spaces are often insufficient, especially on weekends. For a stress-free journey, we recommend taking the Postbus line 580, which runs between Bludenz – Bürs – Bürserberg – Brand – Lünerseebahn. In the summer 2025 timetable, it runs daily; from Bludenz From the train station, the journey to the valley station takes about 50 minutes, from Brand village center (“Brand community center” or stop at the Village railway/Hotel Valavier) it is only about 20 minutes. If you arrive by train, get off at Bludenz and take the bus directly to the Lünerseebahn.

Tip: The “Green Ticket“ combines the bus journey within Vorarlberg with the ascent and descent of the Lünerseebahn.

With the Lünerseebahn to the lake

From the valley station, the Lünerseebahn cable car takes you to the Douglasshütte on the lake in five to six minutes. The cable car is wheelchair accessible and also transports strollers and dogs. At the top, the Douglasshütte and the old pumping station await, from where all the hikes start.

Lünersee circuit

The circular path around the lake is partly gravel and largely suitable for strollers, but from the west side the path becomes narrower and rockier – here the little ones have to walk or be carried in a backpack.

The counterclockwise circuit begins at the Douglass Hut and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The route is pleasant to walk, but requires sturdy footwear. Halfway along the route is the Alpe Lünersee Right on the shore—perfect for a rest with fresh buttermilk and cheese bread. We found the vanilla buttermilk simply fantastic. 

Heart-view hike to the Totalphütte

After about 20 minutes of walking counterclockwise around the lake, a trail branches off to the right to the Totalp Hut. A signpost correctly indicates "1 hour" – the time is accurate to the minute. The steep path leads over rocky switchbacks; hiking poles and surefootedness are helpful. Important to know: From this path, you can see the heart-shaped contour of the Lünersee not yet – the famous shape only becomes apparent when you continue above the hut Towards Gamsluggen wanders.

At the hut (2,385 m), you can take a break before continuing on a blue-and-white marked trail for about 30 minutes towards Gamsluggen. After just 15 minutes, the view opens up to the lake; Heart shape becomes spectacularly visible only from this perspective. If you still have the energy, follow the markings along the ridge to the Gafalljoch, where the view improves even further. You can then descend via the Gamsluggen to the Totalphütte or continue the tour to the Schesaplana (challenging!).

Here is a detailed description of the hike:

Lünersee – Adventurous circular hike via Totalphütte, Gamsluggen and Cavelljoch (Gafalljoch)

The bright blue Lünersee is surrounded by rocky peaks and green hills under a clear blue sky, with rugged cliffs and a rugged landscape in the foreground.

refreshment options

• Douglass Hut (1,979 m): Located right next to the Lünerseebahn mountain station, with a large sun terrace and winter garden. Open from early June to early October.
• Alpe Lünersee: Located directly on the lakeshore, this is an ideal stop during a circular hike. Open during the alpine pasture season until around the end of September.
• Totalphütte (2,385 m): Located on a plateau above the lake, reachable in approximately 1–1.5 hours. Open from mid-June to early October.
• Heinrich Hueter Hut (1,766 m): Located at the foot of Zimba, reachable in approximately 2 hours from the mountain station. Open from early June to early October.
• Other huts in the area: Mannheimer Hütte, Lindauer Hütte, Oberzalimhütte and Alpengasthof Rellstal – also open during the summer season (June to October, depending on snow conditions).

Further hiking options around Lake Lünersee

If you have the Heart-view hike Lünersee-Totalphütte want to vary or supplement, you will find some attractive alternatives here:

• Lünersee circular route: Approximately 6 km, about 2 hours walking time, mostly well-maintained path, ideal for leisure hikers and families.
• Sheep fall: A shorter, moderate tour (approx. 2.5 km, approx. 1.5 hours) high above the lake shore – good as a stopover if you don't want to do the long circuit.
• Gafalljoch circular tour: From the mountain station over the Alpe Lünersee and the Gafalljoch – beautiful panoramic trails, not too extreme, and an opportunity to make the tour more mountainous.
• Schesaplana Summit Trail: A more demanding variant that extends the tour into the high alpine zone, requiring additional time and equipment.
• Evil kick to Lünersee: Those who prefer to climb instead of taking the cable car can choose the “Bösen Tritt” (Evil Step) – a steep, partly exposed climb with clear advantages for the experience.
• Rätikon high-altitude tours / hut tours: For those who want to continue further into the mountains after the Lünersee, there are multi-day high-altitude trails in the Rätikon with stages via various huts.

Further activities at Lünersee

• Fishing: The lake is rich in trout; fishing licenses are available at the Lünerseebahn.
• Climb: Several climbing routes and via ferratas begin around the dam.
• Evil Kick Ascent: If you want to avoid the train, you can climb up the steep serpentine path “Böser Tritt” from the valley in about 90 minutes on foot.
• Hut tours: From the Douglasshütte you can reach huts such as the Totalphütte (1 h), Lünerseealpe, Mannheimer Hütte and the Schesaplana – the latter is the highest mountain in the Rätikon at 2,964 m.