The Pfänder is the mountain that rises directly behind Bregenz, 1,064 metres above the lake. A gondola cable car — the Pfänderbahn — carries you from the edge of the old town to the summit in about eight minutes. The panorama from the top is exceptional: Lake Constance spreads out below you, the German shore at Lindau and Konstanz visible across the water, the Swiss Alps rising behind.
At the summit there is a wildlife park with ibex, deer, and marmots, a restaurant, and several marked hiking trails. In summer you can walk down rather than taking the cable car — the descent through alpine meadows and forest takes about ninety minutes. In winter the Pfänder gets enough snow for some limited skiing and sledging. The cable car runs year-round.
The trailhead at the bottom of the Pfänderbahn is an easy walk or short bus ride from the city centre. The cable car is popular on summer weekends, so aim to go early in the morning or late afternoon.