Lexi Webster
The Green Ring is a 28.5-kilometre hiking trail around Lech-Zürs in the Austrian Alps. It is a multi-day hike that can be completed in three days, with options to incorporate parts of the trail into shorter walks. The trail takes hikers through scenic mountains, idyllic valleys, and crystal-clear mountain lakes. The Green Ring also features art installations, legends, and stories about the region, making it a unique and entertaining experience. With its combination of natural beauty and cultural insights, the Green Ring has become a popular attraction for hikers and adventurers of all ages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Lech-Zürs, Austrian Alps |
| Distance | 28.5 km |
| Duration | 3 days |
| Difficulty | Intermediate. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. |
| Attractions | Scenic mountains, idyllic valleys, crystal-clear mountain lakes, art installations, legends and fables, cable cars, hiking maps, literary hiking guides |
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What You'll Learn
The Green Ring: a 3-day tour around Lech-Zürs
The Green Ring is a 28.5-kilometre hiking trail that combines the moody mountains and mystical spirits of nature around Lech-Zürs, Austria. It is a three-day tour that starts in Lech and takes hikers through a literary journey of art installations, local culture, and stories. Here is a suggested itinerary for a 3-day tour of the Green Ring:
Day 1: Lech to Zürs
Take the cable car from Lech up to the Rüfikopf, the starting point of the Green Ring. From the 2,350-metre summit, enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding snow-covered peaks before making your way down to Lake Monzabon, through lush alpine pastures, and finally, to Zürs. Along the way, you will come across different stations and rest places that tell tales about the region.
Day 2: Zürs to Zug
On the second day, take the cable car to the turquoise Zürsersee, a lake located near Zürs. From there, continue to the Madlochjoch, a 2,240-metre-high peak offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. Then, make your way down to Zug, where you can spend the night.
Day 3: Zug to Lech
On the final day, hike from Zug to Lech via the Sagenwald forest and the Kriegerhorn summit. Take a break in one of the traditional alpine huts along the way and enjoy the rustic mountain scenery. Finally, return to Lech, where you can visit the Rud-Alpe mountain restaurant and enjoy the rewards that await at the end of the trail, including a water playground for children and a terrace with stunning views.
The Green Ring is an easy walk that requires no prior alpine experience. However, some parts of the trail are quite steep, so a good level of fitness and sure-footedness are recommended. The trail is well-marked and can be done in parts, allowing hikers to explore other walks in the area. A literary hiking guide is available, which provides information on the art installations, local legends, and cultural insights that can be discovered along the way.
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Legends, fables and art installations
The Green Ring is a 3-day tour around Lech-Zürs, characterised by beautiful paths and lakes, as well as legends, fables and art installations. The trail is easy to walk and requires no prior alpine experience.
The first stage of the Green Ring takes hikers to Lake Monzabon, through lush alpine pastures, and down to Zürs. The second stage reveals the turquoise Zürsersee and a spectacular view from the 7,349-foot-high Madlochjoch. The third stage takes hikers over the Kriegerhorn summit, to the idyllic Alps where they can enjoy the rustic mountain huts before returning to Lech.
The Green Ring is a voyage of discovery with a book of legends, including the tale of Taurin the Giant and how Monzabonsee lake got its name. The trail also includes art and literature stations that tell tales about the region. The art and literature project was launched in 2010 and will be expanded in the future.
The Green Puzzle Ring is a fun variation of the trail, leading families and puzzle enthusiasts from Lech to the Rud-Alpe mountain restaurant. The accompanying workbook includes tricky puzzles and brainteasers, with awards for puzzle champions at the end of the trail.
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Lake Monzabon and the Mountain Hut Library
The Green Ring is a 3-day circular hike around Lech-Zürs in the Austrian Alps. It is based on the popular White Ring ski circuit, which is also in Lech-Zürs during the winter. The Green Ring offers a beautiful walking circuit that can be completed in parts using a free walking guide book that can be picked up at hotels and the Lech tourist office. The trail is well-marked and provides excellent views of scenic mountains, idyllic valleys, and crystal-clear mountain lakes. The first stage of the Green Ring starts in Lech, where hikers can take a cable car up to the Ruefikopf, the official starting point of the hike. From there, hikers will descend to Lake Monzabon, a shimmering green mountain lake surrounded by lush alpine pastures.
After taking in the beauty of Lake Monzabon, hikers will continue on to the Mountain Hut Library. This unique library is located in a rustic mountain hut, offering a cosy and inviting space to rest and immerse themselves in a good book. The Mountain Hut Library is the perfect spot to learn more about the local culture and history, as it features a collection of books and legends specifically curated for hikers on the Green Ring. It provides an opportunity to discover the tales and stories of the region, adding a layer of richness and depth to the hiking experience.
The second stage of the Green Ring begins in the village of Zürs, just past Lake Monzabon. From there, hikers will wind their way up the slope in steep serpentines, where the views become increasingly breathtaking with every metre of altitude gained. The turquoise Zürsersee lake and a spectacular viewpoint from the 7,349-foot-high Madlochjoch are highlights of this section. The Green Ring is not just a hike but also an art and literature project, with art installations and literary stops along the way that showcase the local culture and stories.
The third and final stage of the Green Ring takes hikers high up over the Kriegerhorn summit, where they can once again enjoy the rustic charm of alpine huts before returning to Lech. The Green Ring is known for its entertaining legends, which bring a smile to hikers' faces and make the journey even more magical. With its combination of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and physical challenge, the Green Ring hike, including the stunning Lake Monzabon and the enchanting Mountain Hut Library, offers a truly unique and memorable experience in the heart of Austria's majestic Alps.
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Magnificent views of lakes and forests
The Green Ring in Lech-Zürs, Austria, is a 28.5-kilometre hiking trail that combines nature, mystical creatures, and local legends. It is a three-day tour that can be completed in three stages, offering magnificent views of stunning mountain lakes, forests, and meadows.
First Stage
The first stage of the Green Ring begins at the summit of Rüfikopf mountain, which stands at 2,350 metres above sea level. You can choose to climb the mountain via the steep Schafalpweg trail or take the Rüfikopf cable car to enjoy breathtaking views of Lech. From the summit, you will be treated to panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including mile after mile of snow-covered peaks. Descending from Rüfikopf, you will make your way to the tranquil Lake Monzabonsee, nestled amidst lush alpine pastures. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn about the legends associated with the lake, such as the story of Taurin the Giant.
Second Stage
On the second day, you will explore the turquoise waters of Zürsersee Lake and enjoy a spectacular view from the Madlochjoch, which sits at an elevation of 2,240 metres. The route winds up the slope in steep serpentines, and the views become more breathtaking as you ascend. The Seekopfbahn cable car is also available during the summer to facilitate your journey to Zürsersee Lake. The lake offers a floating platform, a playground, and a public barbecue area with free firewood, providing a perfect spot for relaxation and enjoyment.
Third Stage
The final stage of the Green Ring takes you high up over the Kriegerhorn summit to the idyllic Alps. Here, you can experience the rustic charm of traditional mountain huts before making your descent back to Lech. Along the way, you will have the option to take a break in these alpine huts, soaking in the surrounding natural beauty. The Green Ring website, lechzuers.com, offers a wealth of information about the legends, fables, and art installations that bring the trail to life.
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Cable car rides and hiking trails
The Green Ring is a 3-day circular hike around Lech-Zürs in Austria's Arlberg, offering magnificent mountain views, scenic mountains, idyllic valleys, and crystal-clear mountain lakes. It is easy to walk and requires no prior alpine experience, although some parts of the second and third stages are quite steep. The trail is approximately 28.5 km long, and there are options to incorporate cable car rides to help you cover more ground.
The first stage begins in Lech, where you can take a cable car up to the Ruefikopf, the official starting point of the Green Ring. From there, you'll descend to Lake Monzabon, traverse lush alpine pastures, and end the day in Zürs.
On day two, you can take the Seekopfbahn cable car to reach the turquoise Zürsersee lake. You'll then continue on to Madlochjoch, a spectacular viewpoint at 7,349 feet (2,240 m) above sea level.
The final stage takes you high up over the Kriegerhorn summit, where you can enjoy the rustic mountain huts in the idyllic Alps before returning to Lech. If you wish to shorten this stage, you have the option to take the Zugerbergbahn cable car to Balmalp.
In addition to the natural scenery, the Green Ring also features art installations, rest areas, and stations that showcase the local culture, legends, and stories of the region.
For those seeking a more leisurely experience, cable car rides in the Tyrol region of Austria offer breathtaking views of the mountains. The Tyrolean cable cars provide easy access to the mountains for families, leisure hikers, and individuals with disabilities or limited fitness levels.
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Frequently asked questions
The Green Ring is a 28.5-kilometre hiking trail around Lech-Zürs in the Austrian Alps. It combines art installations, local legends and natural landscapes. The trail is divided into three sections, which can be completed in around three days.
The Green Ring offers magnificent views of scenic mountains, idyllic valleys and crystal-clear mountain lakes. The trail also features interactive puzzles and mysterious legends and stories about mythical creatures.
The Green Ring is generally easy to walk and requires no prior alpine experience. However, some parts of the second and third stages are quite steep, so a good level of fitness and sure-footedness is required.
To reach Lech, you can take bus 91 or 92 from Langen am Arlberg or St. Anton am Arlberg station. Alternatively, you can take a cable car to the trail's starting point at the top of Rüfikopf mountain.
