It’s nearly always a bit hazy over Lake Constance, but on a (relatively) clear day you can get some fine views by taking the cabin lift from Bregenz up to the top of the Pfänder mountain (1064 meters).
The lower station of the cabin lift (Pfänderbahn) is on Belruptstraße, just a short walk from the center of Bregenz. But the number 1 bus also stops there, in case you don’t feel like walking.

In the cabin lift
The cabin lift leaves at least every full and half hour, or more often if there is more demand. A return trip, up and down, costs € 13.00 for adults, with reductions for seniors, teenagers, children, families and groups. (Price as of 2018.) You can take your bicycle along for free from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., otherwise a bike costs € 3.80 for the trip either up or down.

View from the cabin lift

View from Pfänder Mountain
On the top of the Pfänder you can walk around and get some good views in various directions, for instance looking east toward the Austrian Alps.

Peak of Pfänder Mountain
There is also a restaurant up here, as well as a free “alpine game and wildlife park” with such animals as dwarf nanny goats, mouflons, ibexes, wild boars, red deer and groundhogs. In earlier years there was also an “eagle observatory” with a forty-minute show twice daily, but as of 2018 that is no longer in operation.

Lake Constance (Bodensee) from the cabin lift
My photos in this post are from 2005. I revised the text in 2018.
See also: Verdi’s Troubadour in Bregenz.
I would definitely have to do that!
Don, Thanks for this article on Bregenz. I love the Vorarlberg, though I know Feldkirch rather than Bregenz. (My grandson was in Feldkirch at five years old, where his father played hockey.) Little guy came home to Montreal speaking German to me… when all I know is « Ich liebe dich, danke schön, Tschüss! » — not too useful! haha!) I love the Alps, will go back soon.
Beautiful photo of view from Pfänder Mountain!
Thanks, Lou. Glad this brought back good memories for you.
I always love a cable car ride, and the scenery here looks beautiful