Lünersee
Lake Alpine lake in Vorarlberg popular with hikers
High in the Rätikon, Lünersee sits above Vorarlberg as an alpine reservoir reachable by cable car. Hikers, anglers and photographers use it as a base for mountain walks and short boat excursions.
Lünersee is an alpine lake in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, situated high in the Rätikon mountain range. The lake sits in a steep-sided basin and is a focal point for hiking, mountain walking and day trips from nearby valley settlements.
The lake area is used for recreation, walking circuits and as a starting point for routes into surrounding peaks. It also functions as a reservoir used in regional hydropower schemes, with infrastructure at the lake’s dam and intake structures visible from trailheads.
Hydropower development in the 20th century modified the lake’s level and introduced service access, while trails and mountain huts have long defined recreational use. The site is managed for both energy production and outdoor recreation.
Geographically Lünersee lies in the Rätikon range of Vorarlberg, with the village of Brand serving as the usual valley access point; the lake is set beneath prominent peaks of the Rätikon.
- Access: Accessible by the Lünerseebahn cable car from the village of Brand, making the lake a popular day-hike destination in summer.
What to See #
- Schesaplana and Rätikon ridges: The mountain peak Schesaplana and surrounding Rätikon ridges that frame the lake and provide popular hiking routes to viewpoints above the water.
How to Get to Lünersee #
Lünersee (Vorarlberg) is reached from the Brandnertal valley. The nearest railhead is Bludenz; from Bludenz drive to the village of Brand (Brandnertal) using the local valley road, where the Lünerseebahn cable car (Lünersee Bahn) runs from the valley station up to the lake. The cable car takes you close to the lakeshore, and from the upper station it is a short walk to panoramic viewpoints around Lünersee.
Tips for Visiting Lünersee #
- Use the Lünersee cable car from Brand to reach the lake quickly and save many hours of uphill hiking; the lift operates mainly in the summer season when trails and facilities are open.
- Arrive early in the morning for still-water reflections and to avoid the midday day-trippers who arrive by cable car; the lakeside path and short circuits are best enjoyed before the busiest hours.
- Most visitors limit themselves to the lakeshore - allow time for the short circular walk around the lake and for the marked trails that climb to nearby viewpoints for panoramic vistas of the Silvretta and Rätikon ranges.
Best Time to Visit Lünersee #
The best time to visit Lünersee is in summer (June-September) when lifts, trails and lake access are most reliable.
Weather & Climate near Lünersee #
Lünersee's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -9°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1563 mm/year), wettest in July.
January
January is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -9°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -9°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (129 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (171 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (187 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (174 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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