Cycle Tour from Gaißau along the Old Rhine via Lustenau to Dornbirn

This easy point-to-point cycle tour leads from the Gaißau border crossing through the flat landscape of the Rhine Valley to Dornbirn. The expanses of water and riverside scenery along the Old Rhine and at Bruggerloch shape the first section of the route.

After crossing the Rhine, the route alternates between the built-up areas of Lustenau and the open fields of Alberried. It then follows the Dornbirner Ach to Campus V in Dornbirn.

The predominantly flat route is ideal for a leisurely cycle tour. As the start and finish are in different locations, the return journey should be planned in advance.

The tour begins at the border crossing between Gaißau and Rheineck. This is the starting point of Vorarlberg waymarked route 5 towards Dornbirn. The route initially runs through Gaißau via the Fingstraße area before reaching the Old Rhine at Schützenhügel.

The cycle path follows the former river channel in a wide loop. Quiet stretches of riverbank, floodplain woodland, open water and a barbecue area line the route. It then continues along Rheinauenweg towards Höchst Birkele.

The tour follows Schützenstraße and Brugger Straße to Naturbad Bruggerloch. This former gravel-pit lake is located directly on the route and provides an opportunity for a longer break on warm days. The lido and Campingplatz Bruggerhorn are also nearby.

The Alpine Rhine is crossed on the L203 Rhine bridge. On the Lustenau side, the route follows Hagstraße through Rheindorf and into the residential area. Museum Rhein-Schauen and the Rheinbähnle railway are located close to the route and provide insights into the history of the International Rhine Regulation.

Through Lustenau, the route passes through areas including Rotkreuz, Hofsteigstraße, Kapellenstraße and Neudorfstraße. Residential streets and local cycle links alternate with short sections alongside busier roads. There are various places to stop for refreshments in the centre and along Hofsteigstraße.

South of Lustenau town centre, the route passes through Holz and Vorach before emerging into the open wetland landscape. Field tracks lead through Vorsee and onwards into Alberried. Along the way, the route crosses several drainage ditches and canals, including Neunerkanal, Scheibenbach and Koblacher Kanal.

The next section runs largely parallel to Dornbirner Straße, or Lustenauerstraße L204. Fields, drainage ditches and the broad landscape of the Rhine Valley characterise this part of the tour. The route enters the urban area of Dornbirn at the Dornbirn-West motorway junction.

It continues through Heinzenbeer and along Wurmmeisterstraße, passing HTL Dornbirn and Stadion Birkenwiese before reaching the Dornbirner Ach. The final section follows the river to Sägerbrücke and ends at Campus V and FHV on Hochschulstraße.

The recommended starting point is the Gaißau/Rheineck border crossing by the Gaißau Grenze bus stop. The point-to-point cycle tour finishes at Campus V near Sägerbrücke in Dornbirn.

By public transport

Start bus stop: Gaißau Grenze

Destination bus stop: Dornbirn Sägerbrücke/Campus V

Railway station for travelling to the start: Lustenau Bahnhof

Destination railway station: Dornbirn Bahnhof

Bus service 160 connects Gaißau Grenze with Höchst, Lustenau Bahnhof and Dornbirn. However, full-size bicycles cannot be taken on ordinary scheduled buses. Cyclists travelling with their own bicycle are therefore advised to use Lustenau Bahnhof and cycle from there to Gaißau.

From the finish at Campus V, cyclists can continue directly to Dornbirn Bahnhof by bicycle. Bus services 161, 162 and 207 also connect the Sägerbrücke/Campus V area with the railway station, but are only suitable for passengers without a full-size bicycle or with a folding bike in its folded state.

Bicycles can be taken on appropriately marked local trains, subject to the availability of cycle spaces. Connections and bicycle carriage arrangements should be checked before travelling.

Journey planner: vmobil.at

By car

As this is a point-to-point cycle tour, it is advisable to leave the car near the finish in Dornbirn and arrange the onward journey to the starting point separately.

Depending on the direction of travel, take the A14 motorway to the Dornbirn-West or Dornbirn-Süd exit. Then follow the signs towards the town centre and Campus V. Access to FHV is via Hochschulstraße. A valid motorway vignette is required to use the A14.

Parking

Paid parking is available at Campus V:

FHV – Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences

Hochschulstraße 1

6850 Dornbirn

The number of spaces is limited. Further paid parking is available in the Campus V underground car park.

A free alternative is available at the Dornbirn Hatlerdorf ÖBB railway stop. The car park is accessed via Schweizerstraße. From there, cyclists can continue to the finish at Campus V.

The sources reviewed do not identify any reliably designated long-stay parking directly at the Gaißau border crossing. Only marked parking spaces may be used, and all applicable parking regulations must be observed.

Appropriate equipment is recommended for this cycle tour: a cycle helmet, a cycling backpack if required, comfortable shoes or cycling shoes, clothing suitable for the weather, sun and rain protection, a bicycle pump and bicycle tools if required, food and sufficient drinking water, a first-aid kit and a mobile phone.

A bike lock is useful for breaks at Bruggerloch, in Lustenau or at Campus V. Anyone planning to stop for a swim should also bring swimwear. Sturdy tyres are recommended for the field tracks.

The tour follows cycle paths, minor roads and field tracks and passes through built-up areas. Particular care is required at road crossings, entrances and exits, and in the centre of Lustenau.

Higher volumes of traffic should be expected on the L203 Rhine bridge, around Hagstraße and on the access roads near the Dornbirn-West motorway junction. Speed should be adjusted to the conditions.

On shared paths, cyclists must show consideration for pedestrians and other cyclists. Agricultural vehicles may be encountered in the fields between Lustenau and Dornbirn.

After rain, field tracks, riverside sections and wet leaves may be slippery. During flooding, paths beside the Old Rhine, the Alpine Rhine and the Dornbirner Ach may be closed or only partially passable. The open sections in Alberried offer little shade in hot weather.

The route is ridden at your own risk. Route conditions, the weather and any closures should be checked before setting off.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

112 European emergency number

144 Ambulance service

Refreshments and rest stops:

Places to rest can be found along the Old Rhine, at Naturbad Bruggerloch and beside the Dornbirner Ach. Seasonal toilet facilities and refreshments are available at Bruggerloch.

There are several places to stop for refreshments close to the route in Lustenau, including Gasthof Meindl on Hofsteigstraße. Further restaurants and cafés can be found in Lustenau town centre and near the finish in Dornbirn. Opening times should be checked in advance.

Nature and culture:

The Old Rhine, Bruggerloch, the Alpine Rhine, the wetland landscape between Lustenau and Dornbirn, and the Dornbirner Ach are defining features of the tour. Near the Rhine bridge, a detour can be made to Museum Rhein-Schauen and the Rheinbähnle railway.

Swimming:

Naturbad Bruggerloch is located directly on the route. The lake is up to seven metres deep. Children and inexperienced swimmers should only enter the water under supervision.

Suitability:

The predominantly flat and technically easy route is suitable for trekking bikes, gravel bikes, practical everyday bicycles and e-bikes. It is generally suitable for children who are confident and safe in traffic. However, the section through Lustenau and the various road crossings require experience and care.

The route is not accessible.

Return journey and shortening the route:

As this is a point-to-point cycle tour, the return journey must be organised. The tour can be ended early in Höchst, at Lustenau Bahnhof or at several stops served by bus service 160. Full-size bicycles are not carried on this bus service. Lustenau Bahnhof, Dornbirn Bahnhof and appropriately marked local trains are therefore the most suitable options for returning with a bicycle.

Best time of year:

January to December. The tour should not be ridden in snow, ice or flooding, or when weather-related closures are in place.