Bregenz to Hohenems
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Bregenz to Hohenems

15. Bregenz to Hohenems

Wildlife
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The route takes place in a fertile plain and natural reserves, which are home to many bird species. A typical glacial plain with a flat bottom and raised mountainous edges, it is divided in two by the Rhine between Switzerland on the left bank and Austria and then Liechtenstein on the right bank during the following three stages.
From Bregenz, the Kolumbansweg definitely heads south and Bobbio is the final destination. While waiting to climb the mountains, it enters the massifs up the natural path followed by Saint Colomban, the glacial valley of the Rhine.

2 points of interest

  • St Columban

    Saint Columban Church

    The first settlements in the Bregenz area date back to around 1500 BC. During the Celtic period (from about 500 BC onwards), Bregenz was one of the most fortified places in the region along with the Celtic Briganti tribe in Vorarlberg. In 15 BC, the Romans conquered Vorarlberg and built Brigantium, a Roman town with a forum, a temple quarter, market halls, a basilica, etc. The town was then called Brigantium. Numerous archaeological remains are still present in this town, such as the Protestant cemetery with remains of the walls of the imperial baths. The city was also of military importance. The prefect of the Roman Lake Constance fleet had his seat here. A Roman navy was stationed in Brigantium at least until 410 AD. Remains of the harbour were discovered during construction work. In 233 and 259/260 Bregenz was destroyed by the Alemanni invasion, but rebuilt by the Roman Celtic population. The Alemanni settled in the Bregenz area around 470. Between 610 and 612, the Irish monks Kolumban and Gallus founded a monastery in Bregenz. 
  • Tourist

    Market Square

    The origins of Dorbirn date back to the Middle Stone Age (8000 to 3000 BC). Coins from the 2nd century and an alphabet primer from the 1st century later testify to a Roman presence in Dornbirn; the first remains of a settlement in this area come from an Alemannic tomb from the 6th and 7th centuries. Quoted in a publication of 895, the Dorbirn area later belonged to the Abbey of St. Gallen. The textile industry is still the wealth of this Rhine valley. The market square is the historic centre of Dornbirn with the Church of St. Martin and the colourful neighbouring houses such as the Roteshaus.

Description

From St Colomban church, continue along Landstrasse to Route 190 (Arlbergstrasse) and cross the Bregenzer Ach, staying on the track to the left of the road:

  1. At the end of the bridge, turn left twice in succession to go under the bridge and follow the river until you pass under a railway track. At this point, turn left (Dammstrasse), follow the main railway line as close as possible (Flöritzerweg), pass under two secondary railway lines (Bahnhofstrasse) and continue in the same direction, Fellentorstrasse, Kapellenstrasse (left before big farmhouse). At the small chapel, turn left (Hinterstrasse), in the axis (Lerchenauerstrasse), left (Pariserstrasse) and second right (Niederhof) to leave Lauterach.

  2. Continue south, agricultural fields on the right and industrial area on the left. In the countryside a little further on, turn left to get closer to the motorway which is along until it crosses the Dorbirner Ache river.

  3. The route then follows the right bank of this river to Dornbirn and a footbridge before the railway bridge.

  4. Cross it to change banks and cross the city to its last bridge. Turn right (Haldengasse) and get closer in Mühlebach gradually from the bottom of the mountain (Haldengasse and Haslachgasse in continuity). Pass between the quarries and the industrial area (In Steinen and Stöckenstrasse).

  5. After going around the quarries, turn left to return to the foot of the cliffs followed to Hohenems (Unterklienstrasse, Oberklienstrasse). In the hamlet of Oberklien (bend to the right of Oberklienstrasse), take the path to the left which maintains the route at the bottom of the cliffs and arrives behind the church (Tiergartenweg).
  • Departure : St Colomban Church, Weidachstrasse 1, 69000 Bregenz
  • Arrival : Church of St Karl Borromäus, Kirchplatz 2, 6845 Hohenems

Altimetric profile

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