Formarinsee: Lake hike, transport, and prices
Lake Formarinsee is one of the most beautiful mountain trips in Vorarlberg, located in the Lechquellengebirge mountains at an altitude of 1,793 meters. The main draw is the combination of the nearly circular lake, grassy slopes, and the striking Rote Wand rock face. Every year, the lake refills with meltwater from the snow and has no conventional surface outlet. This means the water drains away through an underground karst system. In 2015, Formarinsee was voted the most beautiful place in Austria in a national TV competition.
For us, Lake Formarinsee is an ideal trip from Lech am Arlberg, especially for those who want to enjoy high-altitude panoramas without a demanding all-day climb. Thanks to the hiking bus, you can get almost right to the lake and choose between a short family stroll and a full loop via the Freiburger Hütte.
Accommodation in Lech am Arlberg
Find accommodation in Lech am Arlberg on the map:
The most convenient base is Lech am Arlberg. This is where the direct hiking bus to Formarinsee departs from, and you’ll also find a wide range of tourist facilities here. It’s practical to stay within walking distance of Rüfiplatz or Dorfhus, where the 707 line departs.
A quieter option is Zug. Bus 707 also stops here, and you’ll be closer to the Zugertal valley. If you want a true mountain experience, you can also stay overnight at the Freiburger Hütte above the lake. The hut sits at approximately 1,918 meters and offers around 140 spots in rooms and dormitories.
How to get to Formarinsee
For leisure hikers, we recommend the blue local bus no. 707 Dorfhus – Formarinsee. In the main summer timetable, it runs from June 18 to October 4, 2026. For example, departures from Rüfiplatz are at 8:21 AM, 9:33 AM, 10:48 AM, 12:03 PM, 2:18 PM, 3:38 PM, 4:48 PM, and 6:03 PM. The journey to the final Formarinsee stop takes about half an hour.
A day ticket to Formarinsee, including the toll section, costs €26 in 2026. If you have a Lech Card, the local bus journey and the connection through Zugertal to Formarinsee are included. The Lech Card costs €46 for 1–2 days, €75 for 3–4 days, and €105 for 5–7 days.
You can use the toll road through Zugertal by car, but traffic is significantly restricted. On Wednesdays, the road is closed to individual motor traffic all day, and on other days, cars are not allowed to enter between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. Therefore, the bus makes the most sense for a standard trip.
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The easiest trip to the lake
From the final bus stop, a gently descending gravel path leads to Formarinsee. We consider it suitable for families with children, and it can even be managed with an all-terrain stroller. Even during the short walk, views of the lake and the Rote Wand will open up before you.
If you are mainly interested in photos and views, it’s not necessary to complete the entire loop. We recommend walking down to the lake, strolling along its more accessible part, and continuing towards Freiburger Hütte, where you’ll get another beautiful panorama of the surrounding mountains.
Loop around Formarinsee: Length and difficulty
The official loop around Formarinsee measures 3.8 kilometers, takes approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes, and involves 183 meters of elevation gain. Nevertheless, both Lech Zürs and we classify this trail as a difficult route. The reason isn’t the length or elevation, but the section above the eastern shore, where you need to be sure-footed and have a good head for heights. We do not recommend this part of the route for families with children or older people with reduced physical fitness.
We therefore recommend that leisure hikers don’t insist on completing the full loop at all costs. It’s more comfortable to walk from the bus stop to the lake and Freiburger Hütte via the easier path and return the same way. Save the full loop for dry weather with sturdy footwear and days when you feel confident in narrower mountain terrain, also considering your fitness level and the weather forecast.
The best viewpoints at Formarinsee
The first view you shouldn’t miss is right during the descent from the bus stop, when Formarinsee opens up before you with the dominant Rote Wand. We recommend a second stop right at the shore, where the nearly circular shape of the lake stands out best. The third spot is the area around Freiburger Hütte, which offers a wider panorama of Formarinsee and the Lechquellengebirge. For leisure hikers, these viewpoints are quite sufficient, and there’s no need to continue to the more demanding Rote Wand or across the Steinernes Meer.
Formarinsee operating season
Formarinsee itself doesn’t have official opening hours; it’s a freely accessible natural site. However, snow conditions and transport operations are decisive for planning a trip. The main summer timetable for bus 707 applies this year from June 18 to October 4, 2026, and within the region, we recommend hiking trips primarily from late June to early October. Freiburger Hütte opens on June 19 in 2026.
We recommend taking the morning bus for the trip, wearing sturdy shoes, and bringing a waterproof jacket and plenty of water. Thanks to bus 707, you can visit Formarinsee comfortably even as a leisure hiker and choose on the spot between a short walk to the viewpoints or the full loop around the lake, depending on your fitness.
