At 1,486 metres, the Faschinajoch is a gentle pass, and it manages to be one of the prettiest in Vorarlberg. The road links the Bregenzerwald with the Großes Walsertal, climbing from Au through meadows and spruce woods to a broad saddle with a handful of hotels and a ski lift or two. From the top, the views open up toward the Lechquellen mountains, a pale limestone massif with a few snowfields that linger deep into summer.
The village just below, Damüls, makes the claim of being among the snowiest places in the Alps, and the winter snowfall here is indeed enormous. In the cold months, the road is often lined with drifts, and the whole region becomes a ski area. In summer, the same meadows are full of wildflowers and cowbells. Damüls is also known for its tiny church, which has medieval frescoes inside, a rare treasure for a place so remote.
These valleys were settled by the Walser, a people who moved from the Valais in Switzerland in the Middle Ages, taking their language and customs with them to the high Alpine slopes. They were skilled at farming at altitude, and settled places that others avoided. The Großes Walsertal, on the far side of the pass, keeps that heritage, and the Walser dialect still lives in the villages. The valley is a biosphere reserve, protected by UNESCO for its landscape and culture.
For a rider, the Faschinajoch is a relaxed climb with open bends, good tarmac and long sightlines, and it is also a link in a loop with the Furkajoch, which makes a satisfying day. The road gets busy at weekends, with cyclists in particular working their way up, so share the road. In rain or low cloud, the visibility can fall suddenly, and in winter, snow and ice make the road a matter for chains and winter tyres. Check the conditions before setting off outside the summer months.
Fuel is not available on the pass, so fill up in the valley. Au has a small supply, and Bludenz, about fourteen kilometres away, and Dornbirn are the larger towns with proper stations. The hotels near the summit serve coffee and cake, and the terraces make a fine place to rest.