Vacation in the Bregenzerwald
Tips for culinary family vacations

Vorarlberg – Region Bregenzerwald

In cooperation with Österreich Werbung (Vorarlberg and Bregenzerwald Tourismus), we took this great press trip in the fall holidays 2024. Three days were filled with great hikes for families, discovering playgrounds and of course enjoying typical local culinary delights. The short journey to the Bregenzerwald from Zurich was very positive.

I have deliberately broken this report down into days so that you can easily recreate this trip and the combination of stops makes as much geographical sense as possible. I hope you enjoy reading and exploring for yourself. Of course, I look forward to your feedback when you are there yourself. You can also tag me on Instagram 😉

Accommodation with top chef Wolfgang Mätzler
Schtûbat, Hof 437, 6866 Andelsbuch
I met Wolfgang back in 2023 at the Food Zurich workshop on preserving. He grew up in Andelsbuch and therefore has lots of local tips. We were accommodated in a great apartment for up to 6 people with its own sauna, including breakfast. The apartment also has a kitchen and a living and dining area, which is very helpful with small children. The breakfast is very good with local produce and you can also book Wolfgang to prepare lunch or dinner on request. Learn more

Aperitif in the fermentation and ham cellar followed by dinner
Hotel Hirschen, Hof 14, 6867 Schwarzenberg
A special highlight was on the program on the very first evening. :) The Hirschen - Fine Hotel, Restaurant & Spa is located in Schwarzenberg in the Bregenzerwald. The award-winning gourmet restaurant is located in an incredibly beautiful building built in the traditional wooden style (1757). The innovative team focuses on the best regional products, offers unusual creations with offal (e.g. lamb tongue) and makes umami-rich seasoning sauces, misos and garums from surplus via koji fermentation. 
My tip: The restaurant is less suitable for children. Maybe you have someone with you who can look after the kids in the meantime. Learn more

Schoppi's hunt for cheese
Unterdorf 2b, 6886 Schoppernau
At this “puzzle rally” in Au and Schoppernau, there are 8 stations where you can solve a question about agriculture. Everyone who has cracked the solution word can look forward to a small surprise at the last station. Simply pick up a game plan at the tourist office in Schoppernau and off you go.
My tips: The tour takes around 2-3 hours on foot. It's best to find out directly at the tourist office when the last station closes (in our case at 11:30 am - so we were allowed to take the price with us in advance). We also split the tour into two sections. In the morning we solved the stations in Schoppernau and in the afternoon the one in Au combined with a visit to the playground (see program in the afternoon).
Learn more

Lunch at s’frie
S'Frie, Mitteldorf 235, 6886 Schoppernau
The daytime café s'Frie is a place to feel good. In a modern, cozy atmosphere, you can have breakfast, a bite to eat at lunchtime and immerse yourself in the world of aperitivi & cocktails until the early evening. The South Tyrolean hostess Sandra impresses with her warmth and fine dishes, some with a South Tyrolean influence. Learn more

Exploring children's playgrounds in Au and Schoppernau
The newly designed playground in Au is right next to the outdoor pool and boasts a large creative play area for children with a pumping fountain and water inside, a large sand island with platform, sand crane and pouring pipe, shading awning, material play area with tree trunk stools, boulders, driftwood, wooden building blocks etc..
There are seating areas and circular benches for parents.

The playground in Schoppernau was also an absolute highlight for Sian. The design is inspired by the craftsmanship and landscape. The playground is extremely spacious with various houses for climbing, playing, sliding and hiding. There is also a ropeway. Directions: From the village center of Schoppernau, head towards Waldbad Schoppernau. You can't miss the playground. Parking spaces are available. There is also a cycle path leading past it. Public transport: Get off in the village center. Approx. 15 minutes on foot. Learn more

Breakfast at Café Deli in the Hotel Bären
Hotel Bären, Platz 66, 6881 Mellau
The deliciously extensive breakfast buffet at Café Deli was already well known to some Züriplausch fans ;-) Guests are spoiled with the regional super breakfast. The best ingredients, local produce - light, healthy and modern creations. The video says more than a thousand words. An absolute must when you are in the Bregenzerwald. Be sure to make a reservation, as it is also very popular with locals. Learn more

Panorama trail Baumgarten
Start: Bezau Seilbahn (vom Café Deli rund 10 Minuten mit dem Auto)
An absolute must: an easy and family-friendly circular hike with panoramic views of Lake Constance, the Bregenzerwald, the Allgäu and Swiss mountains. It's best to take a snack with you and enjoy it on the way.
Duration: 1.5 hours Learn more

Optional: Lunch or to go at the Familotel Sonne Bezau
Sonne Bezau, Kriechere 66, 6870 Bezau
At the Sonne Bezau, lunch is available for hotel guests and visitors as well as to go - Monday to Friday, lunch is served from 11.30 am to 1.00 pm. 
My tip: We split into 2 groups after the morning was already quite intense. One group with a child stayed in the Bezau sun and the other group completed the afternoon program. Afterwards we ate ice cream together in the sun. We were given a very friendly welcome and there are lots of toys for children. Learn more

Recreational trail Höhlenpark-Klausenstein
Starting point: Stadel „Deerofo“ (from the Bezau cable car approx. 3 minutes by car), Duration: 1,5 hours
The cave park was formed approximately 500 years ago by a rockfall. As a result, boulders as high as houses piled up against each other on the way down into the valley, forming the existing “landslide caves”. For my tips, see “Sonne Bezau”
Directions: You can reach the nature trail in approx. 7 minutes from the parish church via the footpath along the village stream or via the road to Oberbezau. There you turn off 50 meters after the Gasthof Sonne. It begins immediately after the “Deerofo” barn. Learn more

Guided tour of the Löwen mountain distillery
Address: Rehmen 87, 6883 Au (Arrival by car from Hotel Sonne Bezau in 20 minutes)
The public tour of the mountain distillery in the listed Gasthaus zum Löwen specializes in the refinement of fresh, highly aromatic herbs and roots and is absolutely worthwhile. In around 1.5 hours, you will learn lots of details about brandy vs. spirit, can ask all your questions and taste as much as you like at the end and, of course, take something home with you in the shop. Learn more

Dinner at Restaurant Löwen
Gasthaus Löwen, Rehmen 87, 6883 Au
After the tour, it's worth having dinner at Gasthaus Löwen. The listed building was built between 1896 and 1900. In 2022, the kitchen was awarded two Gault & Millau toques (13.5 points). Head chef Gernot Bischofberger and his team conjure up down-to-earth, regional cuisine and changing international dishes. Learn more

Water hiking trail – Engenlochschlucht
Starting point: Village fountain Hittisau (35 minutes by car from the hotel to Hittisau)
Hittisau is characterized by water - the banks of a large, prehistoric lake can still be seen in the village today. After the Ice Age, its waters carved out a passage called the “Engenloch”. A great hike along the water with interesting stations for children such as the suspension bridge and the water feature. Learn more

Lunch at Restaurant Ernele
Ernele, Heideggen 311, 6952 Hittisau (Footpath 5 minutes)
The “Ernele” stands for regional patriotism - the focus is on food from a maximum radius of 100 km from selected partners and our own vegetable and herb garden. The team will spoil you with selected regional specialties and treasures from their own cheese cellar. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to try the restaurant myself, but it has been highly recommended to me several times. Learn more

Optional: Lunch at Restaurant Wälderhof
Wälderhof, Steig 161, 6951 Lingenau
During our vacation, a visit to the Ernele restaurant was unfortunately not possible due to a closed party. We were therefore recommended the Wälderhof. We were very pleasantly surprised by the beautiful ambience, the friendly service and the unique dishes. Very tasteful and creative. There is a playground in front of the house and a playroom in the basement. Learn more

Coffee, cake and ice cream at the Badhus in Lingenau
Adresse: Hof 17, 6951 Lingenau (by car from Restaurant Ernele approx. 6 minutes)
Café and unpackaged store: As well as shopping for all typical unpackaged food, cleaning products and cosmetics, guests can treat themselves to coffee and cake, pastries, ice cream, refreshments, breakfast and a daily changing lunch menu.
My tip: If you still have some time, it's worth visiting and shopping in the cheese cellar in Lingenau afterwards. Up to 50,800 wheels of cheese are stored here and it is interesting to watch the robot turning the cheese. There is also an interesting movie, about 15 minutes, which I highly recommend. Learn more