From Feldkirch, Via Alpina leads across a footbridge over the Ill, past the federal state conservatory (formerly the “Stella Matutina” Jesuit College) to the Letzehof farmstead, from where the trail heads down through hanging villages in the direction of Amerlügen. From this little mountain village, which belongs to the commune of Frastanz (Feldkirch – Amerlügen 1h 45min), walk for approx. another 40min steeply upward through the wood to the Friends of Nature Feldkircher Hut (1,204m), a few minutes later reaching the panoramic hanging terrace of the Vorderälpele (also called the Amerlugalpe, 1,281m). From here, cast your eyes over the Walgau region into the Große Walsertal valley and northwards through the Rheintal valley to Lake Constance. This is where the route meets the Zentralalpenweg (Central Alpine Way) 02 and leads with very slight changes in altitude to the Sarojaalpe (1,474m; 1h from the Feldkircher Hut). For those who would prefer to stay in close proximity to the Drei Schwestern (Three Sisters), it is better to opt for the Gafadura Hut, which can be reached from the Sarojaalpe via the wooded Sarojasattel pass in half an hour. Otherwise, climb from the turnoff at the Sarojsattel pass directly to the Drei Schwestern in 1h 45min.
(Christina Schwann, OeAV)
 

From Letze - Maria Grün - Fellengatter and Amerlügen, the route runs along the crossing from Walgau and the Rhine valley or, historically, in the border area of the former Sonnenberg and Feldkirch dominions, thus leaving Feldkirch territory behind at the Letzehof farmstead. If you are informed, it is possible to see a great many special features here at every step of the way. You could for instance pass the Letzehof farmstead without noticing that it is a haven of Tibetan culture. The “Tashi Rabten” Buddhist monastery has hidden behind the façade of this everyday country house since 1981, and behind it in the glade there is even a peace stupa. The hollow road (Duxgasse) leading uphill from the Letze area is still preserved virtually in its original form as part of the medieval main road from Feldkirch to Bludenz, which was extended in 1537 after the construction of the first bridge into the Illschlucht ravine of the Felsenau river. Together with the Reichenfeld park, the provincial conservatory (Landeskonservatorium) building formed the core area of the formerly world-renowned "Stella Matutina", a Jesuit grammar school that existed from 1856 to 1978. The hilltop shaped like cupolas in the Ice Age by the Rhine and Ill glaciers with a lovely marshland biotope near Maria Grün was until into the 16th century the main point of access from the southern Rhine valley into the Walgau region. In times of war – the last time in 1799 against attacking French troops – this was defended by setting up a "Letze", i.e. an entrenchment wall.
(Christina Schwann, OeAV)