Passes, trails and alpine paths in the Bregenzerwald
Road bike, mountain bike and gravel
Damüls lies at 1,428 metres above sea level. This means: no long kilometres of rolling in, no tough flat stages before the first climb. If you start here by bike, you are right in the middle of it - in a mountain world that inspires racing cyclists, mountain bikers and gravel riders alike.
Three real Alpine passes within reach. Hundreds of kilometres of marked trails. Alpine paths that lead nowhere but into silence. And after the last kilometre of the day: a house that knows what it feels like to arrive.
Road biking in Damüls
Passes with character
Those who love road biking and mountain passes will find one of the densest pass regions in Austria around Damüls. Three classic climbs start directly from the village - no transfers, no searching for the right starting point.
The three passes from Damüls
Furkajoch (1,761 m) The most challenging of the three. Ramps of up to 14%, from the western ramp from Rankweil: 21.4 km and around 1,300 metres in altitude. Significantly shorter from Damüls - the summit is on the east side. A wide view awaits at the top: Hohe Freschen, Löffelspitze, Türtschhorn - on clear days as far as Lake Constance. Little traffic, well-maintained road.
Faschinajoch (1,486 m) 12.1 km from Au on the north-east ramp, 684 metres in altitude, average 5.9 % - the most even profile of the three passes, ideal as a first ascent. The south-west ramp from Ludesch: 20.8 km, 1,173 metres in altitude, occasional ramps of up to 14%. Two short tunnel passages - rear light recommended.
Hochtannberg Pass (1,676 m) 16.4 km from Au on the west ramp, 857 metres in altitude, max. 10% - even, quiet, panoramic. The best choice for beginners among the pass rides. Access to laps that extend to the Flexenpass and Arlberg.
Classic road bike tours from Damüls
Damüls - Furkajoch - valley descent - Faschinajoch - back to Damüls. approx. 70 km / 1,900 metres in altitude | challenging
The royal stage of the region. 148.9 km, 3,593 metres in altitude - a full day with three real passes. Start early, be on the passes before 2 pm.
Mellau - Egg - Lingenau - back. Around 50 km, moderate metres in altitude. For first mountain kilometres without a pass.
Tips for the racing bike season
High season: June to September. September is the favourite month for experienced riders - all passes open, little traffic, temperatures between 10 and 14 °C. Afternoon thunderstorms often occur in the Bregenzerwald: start early and be on the passes before 2 pm. The Furkajoch can be closed until early summer - current closure status via vorarlberg.at
Mountain biking in Damüls
From the mountain pasture to the trail
Around Damüls, mountain bike routes lead through alpine landscapes, along forest paths and narrow mountain trails into the Große Walsertal. The region covers all levels of difficulty - from easy family tours to technical alpine tours.
Bike transport with the Uga-Express
You can take your mountain bike on the Uga-Express chairlift - directly up to 1,830 metres. Tours start from the mountain station in several directions: Ugaalpe, Argenalp, Walisgaden. Holders of the Bregenzerwald Guest Card travel free of charge - including bike transport.
Trails according to difficulty (single trail scale)
Wide forest trails, no technical obstacles.
+ Uga loop from the valley station: 2.5 km, approx. 30 min., ideal for rolling in
+ Alpine paths in the direction of Mittelargenalpe
+ Pump track & bike course Au-Schoppernau: pump tracks, seesaws and small drops over 300 × 50 metres
Narrow paths, loose ground, hairpin bends. Good fitness and riding technique required.
+ Mittelargen-Alpe loop: 15.8 km / 650 metres in altitude
+ Mountain view loop: 11.4 km / 600 metres in altitude
+ Alpine pasture loops around Oberdamüls with refreshment stops
Steep ramps, rocky passages, lots of riding technique required.
+ Faschinajoch loop: 27.8 km / 1,270 metres in altitude
+ High alpine tours from Bregenzerwald to Walsertal
Gravel biking in Damüls
between tarmac and alpine path
Gravel combines what belongs together in Damüls anyway: well-maintained pass roads and quiet gravel paths that don't lead into an app. The region offers gravel riders their own kind of freedom - close to the landscape, far away from everyday life.
Gravel character of the region
Alpine roads, quiet country roads and gravel passages alternate. Gravel tours lead over passes, through Walser settlements, past chapels - and often end at a quiet mountain lake or a farmed alpine pasture.
Short unit - up to 2 hours / up to 300 metres in altitude on forest trails from Damüls. S0/S1 - ideal for familiarisation or for leisurely days.
Medium tours - up to 5 hours / up to 900 metres in altitude loop via Oberdamüls and into the Faschina area. Mixture of tarmac and farm tracks, panoramic views included. S2 - advanced riding technique recommended.
Long tours - from 5 hours / over 900 metres in altitude Bregenzerwald Cycle Route and cross-border tours to Allgäu or Liechtenstein. S3 - very good fitness and experience required.
Furkajoch and Faschinajoch are ideal for gravel biking. The quiet, well-maintained pass roads are ideal - and the gravel also opens up the alpine shortcuts that are closed to road bikes.
After the tour
Peace, water, pleasure
If you spend the day on your bike, you deserve the evening. Warm water. Quiet rooms. A good glass. Cuisine that doesn't speak for itself - Alpine cuisine, finely tuned, with wine accompaniment. Bar Novum for those who want to make the evening last a little longer.
Yes, bicycles are stored in the locked bike room.
Yes, an e-bike charging station is available.
Sport Madlener in Damüls offers hire - early enquiry is recommended.
Furkajoch (1,761 m), Faschinajoch (1,486 m) and Hochtannbergpass (1,676 m) are directly accessible from the hotel. Damüls starts at 1,428 m - no long flat section before the first ascent.
June to September. September is the favourite month: all passes are open, little traffic, pleasant temperatures.
a. The chairlift transports bikes up to 1,830 metres - free of charge with the Bregenzerwald Guest Card.
Very. Quiet pass roads, alpine paths and forest tracks offer ideal gravel terrain. Furkajoch and Faschinajoch can be easily travelled on a gravel bike.
Three passes. Hundreds of kilometres of trails. Alpine paths that end in a quiet mountain world. And a hotel that knows that the best part of the day begins after the last kilometre.
