KäseStrasse: the Austrian hike that's a cheese-lover's dream

updated 30.04.2024

Adventurous travellers who love their grub would do well to consider hiking Bregenzerwald’s KäseStrasse (Cheese Street) in Austria’s Vorarlberg region. Along the cheese-lined way, visitors can gain insights into cheese — and other regional food specialties — from dozens of dairies, farms, cheese makers, butchers, bakers and museums. Turophiles will be in their absolute element.

Before diving into the cheese, it's worth knowing that Bregenzerwald is a splendid rural landscape in itself. Think lush Alpine meadows, picturesque farms and traditional wooden-shingled farmhouses.

it's also worth knowing that despite the name, the KäseStrasse isn't a marked route along a specific road. Rather, it denotes an association of cheese-related industries — around 200 in all — that are united in cultivating, maintaining and promoting the highest standards of regional cheese production.

The “route” spans an area of around 100km of such landscapes, with each venue marked by the distinctive KäseStrasse logo.

As you explore, you’re likely to come across everything from the Alpine Dairy Farming Museum in Hittisau — where you can see a 300-year-old dairy kitchen and learn about cheese-making and milk processing — to romantic mountain inns (hütte).

There are also some surprisingly modern spots, such as the Käsekeller Lingenau, and KäseMolke Metzler, which produces natural remedies and cosmetics from whey.

Into food? Find out about eating and drinking in Austria.

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© by Paul/Shutterstock

Then, of course, there are the fantastic restaurants (gasthöfe), where you can sample dishes like Käseknopfel, a delicious macaroni cheeseesque concoction.

To be registered in the association, each restaurant has to have at least five different cheese dishes on its menu, and use a minimum of five Bregenzerwald cheeses.

In terms of when to visit, summer is, of course, best for warm weather. But the region’s KäseHerbst season (the “fifth season”) — from mid-September to the end of October — is a popular time for traditional festivals.

Culture vultures will also be delighted to learn that the region hosts two excellent annual music events — an Opera Festival in Bregenz, and the Schubertiade, which takes place in the charming village of Schwarzenberg.

The Bregenz Opera Festival takes place in July or August (dates vary each year), while Schwarzenberg’s two-part Schubertiad runs just before and afterwards, usually in June and September.

Fancy taking a trip that’ll have you soaking up local food and drink in authentic style? You’ll love our customisable Beer Culture in Czechia, Austria and Germany trip.