High-Altitude Setting, Landscape and the Marienlinde
The village of Sulzberg lies at the highest point of the mountain, at exactly 1,015 metres above sea level. The plateau-like ridge is characterised by forests and meadows. Since 2008, Sulzberg has been part of the cross-border German-Austrian Nagelfluhkette Nature Park. These landscape features give your trip a clear focus: hiking and nature are themes in their own right, alongside the village’s historic sites.
Another local landmark is the Marienlinde, which is over 400 years old. It adds a specific piece of local history to the landscape. If you want to get to know Sulzberg through more than just its buildings, you can also include this tree in your plans for your stay.
Chapels and Architectural History
The Mesnerhaus, a historic, listed building in Sulzberg, stands beside St. Leonhard’s Chapel. Pilgrim drawings adorn the chapel walls; most date from the 16th century. According to tradition, St. Leonhard’s was consecrated in 1497 in honour of Our Lady Mary, Saint Leonard, Saint Jodok and Saint Barbara. The drawings and the traditional account of the consecration offer two different ways to explore the history of this place.
Falz Chapel was built of stone in 1750, replacing an older wooden chapel. It is a much-visited place of prayer for many Sulzberg residents and visitors. Its architectural history tells of a change in materials: the stone chapel took the place of a wooden building. The story of its construction and its function as a place of prayer are thus two aspects of the same building.
Hermannsberg Chapel was consecrated to Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus on 15 November 1932. It is a wooden building clad in shingles, with a roof turret and an onion dome, as well as three bells. These features describe different parts of the chapel: shingles cover the building, the roof turret and onion dome shape the roof, and the three bells complete its fittings. The chapel can therefore be understood not only through its consecration, but also through its architectural form.
During the summer months, from May to October, a service is held in Hermannsberg Chapel once a month. If you plan to attend a service, check the specific date in advance.
Hiking in Sulzberg
The Hochsträss high-altitude hike is an easy 5.13-kilometre winter walk. It starts at Sulzberg village square, passes through the hamlet of Brenner and over the Hochsträss mountain saddle, then returns to the village square. Another hiking option is the circular route from Sulzberg to Doren, which starts in the village centre. This gives you a choice between a clearly described winter loop and a circular hike with Doren as its destination.
When planning your stay, you can treat nature, hiking and architectural history as separate interests or combine them. The Hochsträss route offers a specific distance and a described return path, while the chapels provide a different focus through their varied architectural styles and historical dates. For services at Hermannsberg, also bear in mind that they are held monthly from May to October.
Discover more destinations: Langen near Bregenz, Mellau, Schoppernau, Riefensberg, Reuthe, Hohenweiler, Hittisau, Riezlern
For the main travel overview: Bregenz.
