Top 12 Caves around Lustenau

Lustenau itself is situated in the flat Rhine Valley, so there are no significant natural caves directly within the town. The caves and geological formations mentioned in this guide are found in the wider Vorarlberg region, in the surrounding mountainous areas.

You can explore the impressive limestone caves and narrow passages of Kirchle Rock Cathedral, known for its great acoustics. Another interesting spot is the Gorge and waterfalls near Kirchele Cave, which features unique rock formations where the rock itself is tilted about 45 degrees.

Yes, the Felsenkeller Cave Near Burg Hoch-Altstätten is a human-made cave, likely used for storage, located near the Hoch-Altstätten Castle. Additionally, the Witeleloch Cave has a documented history, first described in a newspaper article around 1907.

The difficulty varies. For instance, reaching Kirchle Rock Cathedral involves a short but crisp climb. The path to Witeleloch Cave is a blue and white marked alpine path requiring surefootedness and a head for heights, with some exposed sections. Other caves like Kalkofenhöhle Cave are rated intermediate in difficulty.

The path to Witeleloch Cave is an alpine path that requires surefootedness and a head for heights. While the first meters behind the impressive triangular portal are accessible in daylight, the inner parts of this karst cave should only be visited with artificial lighting and good caving equipment. An information board with an overview drawing is available at the entrance.

The Kalkofenhöhle Cave can be difficult to locate as there is no sign pointing directly to it. It was exposed during the construction of the Rhine Valley motorway and is now hidden behind a small pile of gravel.

The region around Lustenau offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for cycling, gravel biking, and mountain biking. Many of these routes pass through scenic areas and viewpoints, making it easy to combine a cave visit with a longer tour.

Visitors appreciate the unique atmosphere, such as the great acoustics in the limestone caves of Kirchle Rock Cathedral. The diverse rock formations and the challenging yet rewarding paths, like the exposed trail to Witeleloch Cave, are also highly valued by the community.

The best time to visit depends on the specific cave and your planned activities. For caves that involve hiking on alpine paths, like Witeleloch Cave, warmer, drier months are generally preferable. Always check local conditions and weather forecasts before your visit.

Yes, the Kalkofenhöhle Cave, which was formed around 10,000 years ago, had its original stalactites destroyed. However, in the time since, the first very small stalactites have begun to form again inside.

Near Kirchle Rock Cathedral, the Gorge and waterfalls near Kirchele Cave features interesting rock formations where the rock itself is tilted about 45 degrees, creating a unique geological landscape.