Bildstein is located on a sunny ridge above the Vorarlberg Rhine Valley, between Bregenz and Dornbirn. From here, you can enjoy views of Lake Constance, the Swiss mountains and the Bregenzerwald. The pilgrimage church, marked hiking trails and forest nature trail give the town a range of options for a stay. There are also guided hikes and concerts in the annual program, as well as the traditional Bildstar Market in autumn.
Pilgrimage Church and Religious Heritage
The Basilica of Maria Bildstein is an early Baroque pilgrimage church and has held the honorary title of Basilica minor since 2018. It houses a miraculous image that has been venerated for centuries. Another historic site is the Chapel of the Apparition of Mary, built in 1930. The architecture, the long-standing veneration of the miraculous image and the chapel’s year of construction each offer a different point of interest. For culture enthusiasts, the town can be explored not only through its views and hiking trails, but also through its religious heritage.
Two Trails Compared
Bildstein has 34 kilometers of marked hiking trails. Two routes are described with specific details. The Short Pilgrimage Loop runs from Bildstein to the Chapel of the Apparition and back. It is 0.7 kilometers long, has an elevation gain of 35 meters and is listed as taking 15 minutes to walk. The elevation gain adds information about the ascent to the distance alone.
The two-kilometer-long forest nature trail starts in the village center at the pilgrimage church. It passes the Chapel of the Apparition, runs through the Rickenbacher Tobel gorge and ends at the Baumgarten locality. Along the way, information panels describe 25 native tree and shrub species.
The two trails differ in more than just length: the Pilgrimage Loop is the shorter route and is described as a round trip to the chapel. On the forest nature trail, the route through the Rickenbacher Tobel gorge and the panels about native trees and shrubs are part of the experience. You can choose based on whether you prefer a short loop with a stated walking time or the longer nature trail and its natural history themes.
Annual Program and Autumn Market
Bildstein’s annual program includes guided hikes as well as concerts in the village square and church. The traditional Bildstar Market takes place in autumn and sells products from local farms. In addition to hiking trails and religious heritage, the annual program and seasonal market offer further reasons to visit. If a particular date is important for your trip, check the announced event dates in advance.
Getting Around the Region
The region around Bildstein is served by bus routes 24 and 45. If you plan to use either route to get there or continue your journey, check the current timetable in advance.
Discover more destinations: Langen bei Bregenz, Reuthe, Lochau, Egg, Sulzberg, Schoppernau, Bizau, Hirschegg
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