The Laurentius Trail in Schnifis has ten stops with benches where you can rest; scan codes provide access to audio samples about Laurentius von SchnĂĽffis. This gives the trail a clear thematic focus. Other activities vary in purpose, subject and season: they range from tours to named mountain destinations and forest knowledge to local history and regional cheese production.
Forest Landscape and Trails
Schnifis nestles gently among the hills of the Walgau, on sunny slopes and surrounded by beech and fir forests. This landscape is the setting for several trails, each with a different focus. From the Hensler mountain station, tours lead to Hochgerach and the Walserkamm. The Legends Trail starts at the cable car’s mountain station.
The Vorarlberg Way of St. James: Bludenz–Rankweil leads from the “Jordan” junction through forests and meadows to Schnifis. Those interested in forest topics can find information on the forest’s functions and benefits, sustainable management and climate-resilient tree species along the Forest Knowledge Trail. The Laurentius Trail, by contrast, features ten stops and audio samples about Laurentius von Schnüffis. You can choose based on what interests you most along the way: named tour destinations, forest topics or a trail with audio content.
Winter Route and Paragliding
A special option for the colder months is the winter hiking trail from the Winkel car park in Dünserberg. It runs past the Naturfreunde-Gerachhaus to the Schnifis cable car’s mountain station at Hensler. When winter conditions are suitable, the trail is groomed and is easy to walk without snowshoes. Grooming and the conditions described therefore apply only when winter conditions are suitable.
Paragliders can enjoy ideal training conditions on Schnifisberg all year round. If you are planning to take part, check the flying conditions and local operating rules beforehand. The two seasonal perspectives therefore differ clearly: suitable conditions are required for the winter hiking trail to be groomed as described, while paragliding training conditions are stated to be available year-round.
Church History, Chapel and Cheese
The parish church of St. John the Baptist stands in the town centre. It was rebuilt in 1972/73; only the old tower with its gable-point helmet was preserved. On the way to the Gampelin alpine pasture is the Alte Bild, a small chapel with a votive painting dating from 1704. The two places offer different historical points of reference: at the church, it is the preserved tower in relation to the new building; at the Alte Bild, it is the dated votive painting.
The production of a regional product is another of Schnifis’ special features: the Schnifis dairy makes Vorarlberg mountain cheese PDO from silage-free raw milk produced by cows in the Dreiklang region. The local focus thus extends beyond trails and architectural history to include a specifically named product. The combination of landscape, cultural sites and cheese production offers different ways to enjoy a stay, without needing to fit every theme into the same day.
Plan Your Journey by Bus
Route 550 (75a) runs every two hours from Nenzing municipal office via Nenzing and Schlins railway stations to the Dreiklang region. It stops in Schnifis, DĂĽns and DĂĽnserberg. If you would like to use the bus service to plan your journey, check the current timetable before travelling.
When choosing what to do, you can first distinguish between the named tour destinations, themed trails, the winter route and cultural attractions. This makes Schnifis a manageable destination to plan, while giving each interest its own place during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Weiler, Koblach, Zwischenwasser, Klaus, Rankweil, Laterns, Feldkirch, Frastanz
Go to the main travel overview: Feldkirch.
