Lech hike

Spectacular light shows deep underground

The Arlberg also has a lot to offer away from the slopes in winter - even culture!

(Bild: Rubina Bergauer)

Mountain panorama and art enjoyment can be combined on a leisurely hike from Oberlech to Alpe Tannegg. There, everything underground revolves around the theme of light.

A piece of heaven, viewed from a room whose spartan, modern design is reminiscent of the interior of a spaceship: In the Skyspace in Lech, art and nature combine to create a special experience. The installation by American artist James Turrell is located on the Alpe Tannegg at 1780 meters above sea level. It is an underground color and light room with an oval opening in the dome that provides a view of the sky.

Access to the walk-in work of art is via a 15-metre-long tunnel. The structure is aligned so that it is flooded with light at sunrise and sunset. During the course of the day, the sun's rays enter the building at certain points and "wander" along the wall with the respective position of the sun. In Skyspace, Turrell has intensively explored the relationship between light and space.

The snow-covered entrance to Skyspace.

(Bild: dieWEST.at)

Gentle ascent
A leisurely hike leads there from Oberlech. For eight euros per ride, the gondola takes you from the center of Lech to Oberlech in just a few minutes. After getting off, follow the signposted winter hiking trail towards Tannegg and Skyspace. The trail climbs gently uphill, you have to cross the ski slope twice at marked crossings and soon you have a beautiful view of Lech. Once you have left the last houses behind you, it becomes quieter and an impressive panorama of bright white mountain peaks and deeply carved valleys opens up.

In an extended serpentine you finally approach the Skyspace. It is barely recognizable from the outside, as the parts of the building above ground are still covered in a thick layer of snow. The entrance area looks like the opening to an ice cave. Through the access tunnel, you enter the oval "Sensing Room" with a ceiling height of over five meters. The opening in the ceiling is equipped with a dome that can be moved and creates different perceptual effects depending on the weather and incidence of light.

(Bild: Skyspace Lech)

Over 90 light rooms
James Turrell has realized over 90 light rooms at special locations around the world. His fascination with light stems from his experience as a pilot - Turrell had already obtained his pilot's license at the age of 16. He incorporates his observations of light phenomena in the sky into his works.

It's worth spending some time in Skyspace and taking in the atmosphere. If you manage to be there at sunrise or sunset, there are also three light installations made from artificial light sources that create variable color moods and intensify the experience. Guided tours also take place on selected days (registration required).

Stop off on the sun terrace
After enjoying the art, take the familiar path back to Oberlech. There you have the opportunity to stop off at one of the many sun terraces. Then follow the pink signposted winter hiking trail back to the center of Lech.

James Turrell on a visit to Lech.

(Bild: Skyspace Lech)

The 80-year-old has been conducting artistic research on the subject of light for more than half a century and is one of the most renowned representatives of light art internationally. In Vorarlberg, he illuminated the Zumthor building for the opening of the Kunsthaus Bregenz in 1997. In 2014, Turrell designed Skyspace Lech specifically for the location at Tannegg above the Schloßkopfbahn cable car - the artwork was intended to blend seamlessly into the landscape. The installation was opened to the public in September 2018.