The Lech

The Lech is a 264 km a long river that rises in the west of Austria in Vorarlberg and flows through Tyrol and southern Bavaria, where it flows into the Danube. On his way, the Lech overthrows the famous Lechfall Feet down and crosses cities such as Landsberg am Lech, Schongau and Augsburg.

The Lech is considered the last wild river in the western Alps. Natural forests and gravel banks around the river provide an extreme biodiversity of plants and animals, so that a special nature reserve was set up in the Tyrolean Lechtal. Also on the river between Landsberg and Augsburg there are areas, so-called Lechtalheids, which have preserved their originality and are under the strictest nature protection. They are among the most biodiverse habitats in Central Europe. Crusaders, lizards, as well as numerous rare plants and animals can be found in these areas. The Lechtalheids, like many other landscape sections on the Lech, also have a tourist significance. Numerous cycle paths lead along the river, so that a cycle hike from the Alps to the Danube is possible. Through the great natural landscape, this is a real highlight for many active holidaymakers.

The economic importance of the river comes from its hydropower, which is used for electricity generation. Several utilities operate in total: 30 power plants; and 24 reservoirs. It is also worth mentioning that the Lech is one of the cleanest rivers in Germany.

A highlight of the river course is the Lechfall at Füssen, an impressive 12m High waterfall and an impressive natural monument. After the water masses plunged down the Lechfall, they flow into the Lech gorge, the only gorge in the Bavarian Alps, through which a river can still flow unhindered and freely. A view of the Lech can also be seen from the famous Neuschwanstein Castle from catching.