Lünersee – circular hike via Totalphütte, Gamsluggen and Cavelljoch

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

Brief information and hard facts about the tour:

The Lünersee is a turquoise reservoir at the end of the Brandnertal and lies at 1,970 m above sea level. It is one of the largest mountain lakes in Vorarlberg; since the construction of the dam in 1959, it covers an area of around 112 hectares and is up to 139 m deep. The Douglasshütte is located directly at the mountain station of the Lünerseebahn stands at 1,976 m and is the starting point of the tour. The Totalp Hut at the foot of the Schesaplana is at 2,385 m, and the Gamsluggen Pass reaches approximately 2,383 m.

A clear blue mountain lake is surrounded by rocky peaks and green slopes under a bright blue sky with a few clouds, viewed from a high vantage point.

Tour details:

• Start/Finish: Mountain station of the Lünerseebahn or Douglasshütte.
• Tour type: Circular tour via Totalphütte – Gamsluggen – Cavelljoch (Gafalljoch) – Lünerseealpe.
• Route: Approximately 11 km, but may vary slightly depending on your GPS. The route includes many exposed sections.
• Altitude: About 700 m ascent and descent if you hike from the Douglasshütte over the Gamsluggen and back.
• Highest point: Gamsluggen at approximately 2,383 m above sea level.
• Duration: Total time: about 6–7 hours, including breaks; walking time is about 4.5 hours.
• Difficulty: Demanding, as alpine trails (marked white, blue, white) with rope-secured passages are hiked.
• Equipment: Ankle-high hiking boots, plenty of drinks, sun and rain gear, and hiking poles are recommended. You should stow your poles before climbing sections secured with ropes to keep your hands free.
• Best time of year: The tour is most pleasant from June to October; at the beginning of the season, snowfields can be expected.

arrival

By car or the L580 bus you can reach the valley station of the Lünerseebahn at the end of the BrandnertalThe cable car climbs around 390 meters in just a few minutes (alternatively, the steep "Böse-Tritt-Steig" leads up on foot; walking time 1 hour 15 minutes, 390 meters in elevation). Those traveling by public transport can Bludenz Take the bus to the valley station. The Douglass Hut at the mountain station is open for business and offers sleeping accommodations.

Lünersee: Challenging circular hike via Totalphütte, Gamsluggen and Cavelljoch (Gafalljoch) 

Start at the Douglasshütte (1 976 m)

Our tour begins early; at 8:22 a.m. we leave the Douglass Hut at the mountain station. Lünersee lies peacefully beneath us, glowing turquoise, framed by the limestone peaks of the Rätikon. We hike counterclockwise along the wide lakeside path toward the east. The path is gravel, relatively flat, and stroller-friendly up to the Lünerseealpe (a hut for refreshments) – a section that the official website also describes as a family-friendly circular trail of about 6 km and 2 hours of walking time. After just a few minutes, the first highlight presents itself: the view back to the Douglasshütte and the imposing dam wall that has dammed the lake by a good 72 meters.

A restaurant terrace with wooden tables and benches, each furnished with baskets, sits next to a building in a mountainous area near Lake Lünersee under a clear blue sky. A few people walk near the entrance as sunlight streams across the scene.

A calm blue lake, known as Lünersee, is surrounded by rocky mountains under a clear sky, with green plants and pink wildflowers illuminating the tranquil foreground.

Turn-off to the Totalphütte and strenuous climb

After about 20 minutes, we reach a fork in the road. A sign points the way to the right. uphill to the Totalphütte (approx. 1 hour ascent). The following section is quite challenging: The narrow serpentine path is rocky, barren and completely shadeless – therefore an early start is recommended. The gorge is called “Totalp”, and the higher we climb, the more impressive the panorama becomes: The Lünersee glitters deep blue beneath us; but the lake's oft-praised heart shape isn't yet visible here. Hiking poles prove useful on the steep climb.

After just over an hour, we reach the Totalp Hut (2,385 m), which was rebuilt in 2021 after an avalanche disaster. It lies in a barren high basin below the Schesaplana. Those who wish can stop here and fortify themselves with regional delicacies such as the popular curd lasagna – the hut is open from June to October. We only take a short break for drinks, as the heart of the tour is still to come.

A small stone house stands near Lake Lünersee, a mountain lake surrounded by rocky slopes and green hills. A group of hikers strolls along a gravel path under a blue sky.

Wooden mountain hut with outdoor picnic tables and closed green umbrellas under a clear blue sky on Lake Lünersee, surrounded by a rocky alpine landscape, with a few people sitting at the tables.

Alpine passage over Gamsluggen with view of Lünersee heart shape

Behind the hut we follow the white-blue-white marked signposts Towards GamsluggenThe alpine trail initially leads downhill for a short distance and then traverses a barren rocky slope. The official tour description warns of sections requiring ropes and emphasizes that a head for heights and surefootedness are required. After about five minutes, the trail forks: To the right, a path branches off closer to the lake, from which the familiar heart shape can later be clearly seen; to the left, the alpine trail leads over the ridge to Gamsluggen. We take the upper path.

The trail continues gently downhill over scree and rock. About 15 minutes after leaving the Totalp Hut, the Lünersee It takes on its heart shape. This is where the hike really begins to pay off. We take one photo after another and take short breaks to simply enjoy the view. After 20 minutes, we head up the rocky switchbacks again. 

The turquoise Lünersee is surrounded by rocky and grassy slopes, and in the distance, peaks rise under a clear blue sky. Sunlight illuminates the landscape, creating a vibrant and serene scene.

The Lünersee, a bright blue Alpine lake, is surrounded by steep, rocky mountains and green hills under a clear, blue sky, viewed from a high vantage point.

After about 30 minutes and a few photo stops, we reach the Gamsluggen (approx. 2,383 m). Here, the most beautiful panorama is offered: From the top, the Lünersee like a blue heart in the middle of the grey mountain walls – now you understand why the Lünersee In 2019 it was even voted “the most beautiful place in Austria”.

At Gamsluggen, the Rätikon High Trail meets the Swiss border ridge. Here, you have to make a decision: Those lacking sufficient mountaineering experience should return via the ascent route to the Totalp Hut or the previously mentioned junction. We choose the more challenging variant over the ridge to the Cavelljoch (Gafalljoch) (in the photo: down the mountain to the right, along the valley below, and finally up again, then back down to the lake).

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.

A rocky mountain landscape with a clear blue lake, such as the Lünersee, nestled between green hills and rugged peaks under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The sunlit scene underscores the natural beauty and vastness of the area.

Over the ridge to the Cavelljoch (Gafalljoch) – only for experienced hikers

The ridge path to the Cavelljoch (sometimes also called Gafalljoch) is the most difficult part of the circular tour. The path leads along the steep mountainside; loose rocks, scree, and short climbing sections require full concentration. steel chain helps over the most difficult passage, but a misstep would have serious consequences. The section is about 50 meters long; after that, the terrain becomes easier again, but still leads downhill via steep switchbacks. In any case, we're glad when we reach the bottom. 

View from a rocky mountain slope with safety chain of green hills and distant peaks near Lake Lünersee under a clear blue sky.

A panoramic view of a lush green valley near Lake Lünersee, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks under a clear blue sky, with a rocky trail in the foreground.

At the bottom, the high trail runs across a wide, meadow-like plateau—a welcome respite after the climb. Here, we briefly enjoy Swiss mobile phone reception—a sign that would have saved us an expensive surprise (we pay €60 for two messages). After a while, a signpost to the Cavelljoch appears. At 12:11 p.m., about four hours after our start, we reach a crossroads with a red-white-red marked trail leading back to the Douglass Hut, as the hike can also be done in the opposite direction. We continue, however, toward the Cavelljoch (Gafalljoch).

A picturesque view of green mountains under a clear blue sky, with yellow wildflowers in the foreground and the distant peaks near Lake Lünersee in the background.

A grassy mountain landscape under a bright blue sky, with a colorful signpost in the foreground indicating the hiking trail to Lünersee.

Shortly after the Border sign “Austria” We climb again; at 12:37 p.m. we reach the Cavelljoch (Gafalljoch) (approx. 2,239 m) and enjoy the view of the Prättigau and the Swiss Rätikon. The further descent now leads us back on the Austrian side towards Lünersee.

A weathered sign reading "Austria" stands on a mountain path, surrounded by grassy hills and rugged peaks under a clear blue sky. The path leads to distant mountains and the shimmering Lünersee.

The bright blue Lünersee is surrounded by steep, rocky peaks and green grassy slopes under a bright blue sky, with distant mountains in the background.

Descent to the Lünerseealpe and return on the lakeside path

The descent is steep and winds across gravel paths and mountain meadows, but remains technically easier than the ridge path. At 1:15 p.m., we reach the Lünersee shore path again, a few minutes west of the Lünerseealpe. This cozy alpine hut is located at an altitude of around 2,000 meters and is open from July to September. We treat ourselves to a well-deserved break with vanilla buttermilk and regional snacks.

A gravel road winds through green hills to a small hut, with rocky mountains and the Lünersee shimmering in the background under a clear sky.

People line up at a small outdoor bar near Lake Lünersee; a person with a backpack is accompanied by a black goat. A woman in sportswear and a child with a cap are also visible against the rustic walls and the menu.

A hand holds a cup of milk in the foreground, while the picturesque Lünersee, rocky cliffs and blue sky can be seen in the background.

A large, deep blue mountain lake—the Lünersee—is surrounded by steep, rocky peaks under a clear sky, with green grassy slopes in the foreground and a small building on the left near the water.

After the break, we continue our walk counterclockwise along the western shore. The rest of the lakeside trail is a wide, gravel path – according to the official description, 6.1 km long with 103 meters of ascent and descent. It initially runs flat along the water, then climbs steeply again (not suitable for strollers), later crossing the dam wall and returning to the Douglass Hut. We start at 3:00 p.m. at the alpine pasture and reach the mountain station after a leisurely hour – just in time for a ride down the Lünerseebahn.

A turquoise lake, the Lünersee, is surrounded by steep, rocky mountains and lush green hills under a bright blue sky with a few clouds. In the background, a concrete dam stretches across the picturesque Lünersee.

A tranquil mountain lake, the Lünersee, is surrounded by green hills and rugged peaks under a blue sky, with sunlight reflecting on the water and the rocks in the foreground.

A curved dam stretches over the turquoise waters of Lake Lünersee, surrounded by rocky mountains under a bright blue sky, with a few people walking on top and a building near its center.

A curved concrete dam with railings borders the clear, reflective Lünersee, which is set against steep, rocky mountains under a bright blue sky.

Tips and hints

Fitness & Skills: The circular tour via the Totalphütte, Gamsluggen, and Cavelljoch is no easy hike. Official portals classify it as a difficult tour, requiring a head for heights and surefootedness. Those with little experience in alpine terrain are better off choosing the moderately difficult route via the Totalphütte and returning via the high-altitude trail above the lake (variant approx. 9.1 km and 460 m elevation gain), or stick to the easy route. Lake trail (approx. 6 km, 110 m elevation gain).

Equipment: Sturdy mountaineering boots, weatherproof clothing, sun and rain protection, and plenty of water are essential. Hiking poles are very helpful, but should be stowed away before the climbing sections. In bad weather or when there is still snow (especially in early summer), the trail can become dangerous.

Catering: The Douglasshütte, Lünerseealpe, and Totalphütte offer refreshment stops. Cash is recommended, as card payments are not accepted everywhere.

Mobile communications: Along the ridge, reception suddenly switches to the Swiss network, which can result in roaming charges. Flight mode or a suitable roaming package protects against unpleasant surprises.

Time planning: Plan breaks for taking photos – the view of the heart-shaped Lünersee The Gamsluggen is unique. Also, pay attention to the Lünerseebahn's operating hours (usually until around 4:30 p.m.) and start early enough.

Conclusion

The circular hike around the Lünersee The trail via Totalphütte, Gamsluggen, and Cavelljoch (Gafalljoch) combines the idyll of a turquoise mountain lake with alpine adventure. Approximately 11 km long, you'll experience leisurely lakeside paths, steep switchbacks, lofty ridges, and fantastic views. Those who prepare for the challenges will be rewarded with an unforgettable day—and photos that will make your heart race.