Vorderhornbach lies at an elevation of 974 m at the entrance to the Hornbach Valley, at the foot of Grubachspitze. The village is part of the Natura 2000 site in the Tiroler Lech Nature Park. The landscape, hiking routes and history of the village church offer concrete points of reference for a stay. If you are planning an overnight stay in Vorderhornbach, you can first consider whether hiking, seasonal nature watching or local history should be the main focus.
Baichlstein: Views and Land Art
Baichlstein lies on the edge of Stanzach in the Tyrolean Lech Valley and in the Tiroler Lech Nature Park; it is also part of the municipality of Vorderhornbach. As a viewpoint, it offers a view of the Lech braid. At the highest point of the viewing hill is “Porta Alpinae,” a land art installation by artist Guenter Rauch. This brings together views of the landscape and an artwork that gives Baichlstein a distinctive cultural connection.
Hiking routes in different directions
The Vorderhornbach–Elmen circular hiking trail starts in Vorderhornbach and heads towards Elmen via the Lechradweg. The Lechradweg itself runs along the Lech, passing directly by the municipality. On the Lechweg, Stanzach is another point of reference: the stage to Stanzach passes through Vorderhornbach. Shortly before the Lech bridge, a short detour on the Vorderhornbach–Stanzach stage leads into Vorderhornbach territory and up to Baichlstein. The ninth Lechweg stage leads to the former upper station of the Vorderhornbach ski lift. From there, panoramic views extend over Vorderhornbach and the Lech Valley. Elmen, Stanzach and the viewpoint are concrete points of reference for distinguishing hikes by their direction and destination.
Nature watching in early summer
The Martinauer Au lady’s-slipper orchid area is near Vorderhornbach, directly on the Vorderhornbach–Elmen circular hiking trail. A detour there is worthwhile from mid-May to mid-June; the flowering period can vary slightly from year to year. If you are planning specifically to see the flowers, this period can help guide your choice of dates, but you should allow for some flexibility.
The village church and its construction history
The Expositurkirche (chapel of ease) of St John the Baptist stands in the middle of the village on a small hill. Construction began in 1752; the church was consecrated in the summer of 1782. Following a devastating fire in 1947, the church was rebuilt. The current high altar, figures and interior frescoes date from after 1950. Thus, the 18th-century construction and consecration period contrasts with a later phase shaped by the fire and rebuilding.
Getting here and other interests
Regional bus route 110 serves the “GH Kreuz” stop in Vorderhornbach. If you want to use the bus to plan your trip or day out, check the timetable for your specific travel dates. Badino, the natural swimming pool, is a family-friendly bathing facility supplied with mountain spring water from Grubachspitze. Anglers can fish in the Hornbach. Alongside the hiking trails, Badino and the Hornbach are further points of reference for planning your own outings.
Discover more destinations: Tannheim, Untergiblen, Steeg, Plansee, Pflach, Biberwier, Bschlabs, Kaisers.
For the higher-level travel overview: Reutte.
