Three nights in Lech

Sandra and I first heard of Lech, the most upscale ski resort in Austria, from our friends Mary and Ann Reynolds over 40 years ago. Their descriptions were so striking that we made a mental note to go there when we had the chance.

Lech is in a "hanging valley" surrounded by high mountains above the Arlberg Pass in western Austria. Back in 1968, when we drove through the Vorarlberg (the province the "other side" of the Arlberg Pass), the road was very demanding with steep roads and many many switchbacks. Today, there are tunnels and great roads under the pass. We exited the tunnel just before the top of the pass and continued up a side valley to Lech.

The next morning, we set out early for a mountain walk above the town along the shady east side of the valley. Lech has only about 1000 inhabitants with over 7000 hotel and bed and breakfast rooms. The accommodation is in clean decorated hotels and renovated residences. Here is one as we climbed out of town.

Once we left town, we walked along a narrow path through the woods that overlooked Lech.

There were many torrents (brooks that fill with water rushing down into the valley when the snow melts in the summer) along the path.

As we walked along above the valley, the sun gradually lit up the west side of the valley.

By 10:30 am, the sun was high enough to light up the entire Lech valley.

On our return trip from Vienna, we came back for 2 more nights at Lech. This is the main street in the afternoon sun.

The next day, we went for a 7 km walk up the valley above Lech to the hamlet of Zug. Note the heavy frost on the grass. As the trail rose, the entire east side of the wooded valley was in the shade with frost all around. We donned our hats, scarves and gloves in the freezing temperatures.

Finally, we emerged from the shady woods into the brilliant sunshine. Zug is still well above us. The morning blue sky couldn't have been clearer!

Here we have reached the level of Zug. Lech is far down the valley behind Paul.
Here is our hotel room in the **** Lech Hotel. It was beautifully appointed (even if somewhat messy with Paul's breathing machine plugged in beside the bed).