The Montafon valley in Vorarlberg, through which the Ill river flows, is one of the most popular hiking regions in the Alps. Even if you don’t really like walking, you should go hiking on your holiday in the Montafon and let the impressive mountain world take its effect on you. Do you already have hiking boots and hiking poles in your luggage? Then read here which hiking routes you should not miss.
The Montafon as a hiker’s paradise
Whether you’re planning an extended stay in the mountains or just popping in for a short break in Austria: Montafon is always worth a visit. If you book a stay at the centrally located TUI BLUE Montafon hotel in Tschagguns, you can also enjoy the BergePLUS programme of the Montafon tourist region with many free or discounted offers. This programme is ideal if you prefer to hike in the Montafon under expert guidance. Your local guide will tell you a lot of interesting facts about the surroundings, point out unique natural treasures and make sure you don’t get lost in the mountains. Would you rather hike on your own in the Montafon? Here are our tips for the most beautiful tours from Tschagguns.
Easy tours for beginners
If you want to familiarise yourself with your holiday destination after arrival, you can walk the popular 3.8-kilometre Dorfrunde, which conveniently leads directly past the hotel. From here you cross the Ill River, which flows through the Montafon, and walk through the neighbouring village of Schruns to the parish church. From here you walk along the Litzpromenade back to the Ill and Tschagguns. You can take your pram with you on this barrier-free hike.
If you want a longer loop, take the 7.5-kilometre trail that leads out of Schruns to the viewpoint Montjola and the Capuchin monastery Gauenstein before crossing the Ill in Kaltenbrunnen.
Hiking in the Montafon for advanced hikers
If you want to explore the Montafon as an experienced hiker, you will find a large selection of great routes for every season. Some suggestions:
- From Schruns to the Bartholomäberg with the magnificent baroque church and great views (3.2 km)
- With the Golmerbahn to the Grüneck mountain station and on the Golmer Höhenweg to the 2,261-metre Kreuzjoch (7.3 km).
- Theme trail mining from the Kristberg mountain station to the Ganzaleita viewpoint and to the Fritzensee lake in the valley back to Schruns (12 km).
- Alternatively from the Kristberg mountain station to the Wildried, the highest high moor in Europe, and on to the Teufelsbach waterfall and the Silbertal valley (13.9 km).
- From the Gampadelswerk in Zelfen over 914 steps up the Aquastiege (4.3 km)
(c) Andreas Haller – Montafon Tourismus GmbH, Schruns
Of course, you can’t miss the biggest highlight of the region when you go hiking in the Montafon: the famous Silvretta Glacier. To get there, first drive by car or bus to the Silvretta reservoir, where the Hiking Trail to the High Rad begins. Once you reach the 2,652-metre-high Radsattel, you have an incomparable view of the snow-covered Silvretta Group with Piz Buin in the middle. You then return to the lake via the Wiesbadener Hütte.
(c) Andreas Haller – Montafon Tourismus GmbH, Schruns
Hiking in the Montafon with children? No problem!
Around Tschagguns there are some great hiking trails where even the kids can have a lot of fun. The best lure is the hike directly from the hotel through the Schlichtweg to the Latschau reservoir above the village. Here, the Forest Slide Park Golm awaits with seven slides leading back down into the valley. You will probably come here twice, because the alternative for the way down into the valley is the 2,600-metre-long summer toboggan run that leads down into the valley to Vandans. Another attraction at the Latschau reservoir is the Flying Fox, a 565-metre-long zipline where you fly over the lake.
Some more tips if you want to hike with your children in the Montafon:
- From Schruns to the mountain station of the Hochjochbahn with the great adventure playground Hugos bunte Bergwelt.
- Litzbach Nature Experience Trail with eleven interactive stations to the Teufelsbach waterfall and a large playground at the Fellimännle Alpine hut.
- The Herb Trail “Probar Amol” in Partenen (3.8 km), which you can combine with a visit to the Partenen Climbing Park.
- The Sagenwanderweg through the Silver Valley, where you can hear exciting ancient legends and myths about the magician Kupferlari and the night people of the Silver Valley. A tip: Be sure to download the accompanying app, which tells you ten famous legends along the way.
(c) Stefan Kothner – Montafon Tourismus GmbH
Of course, these are just a few examples. At the hotel you will receive many more tips on hiking in the Montafon with children of all ages and on barrier-free paths where you can take the pram with you.
Summer tours or snowshoe hiking in the Montafon
You can hike in the Montafon all year round, because every season has its advantages. In the summer months you benefit from long, bright days and pleasant temperatures at high altitudes. Since hiking in the Montafon in summer can be a sweaty affair, on these days you should either choose routes through shady forests or plan stops at mountain lakes with a refreshing jump into the cold water.
In spring you can experience the awakening nature in all its splendour, and in autumn the forests glow in beautiful colours. In winter, hiking trails lead through the picturesque, snow-covered landscape. When snowshoeing in the Montafon, you leave even this behind you and immerse yourself completely in the wintry silence of dormant nature. Snowshoeing in the Austrian Alps should be booked as a guided group activity, as only a local guide will lead you safely through the snow-covered landscape and warn you of snowdrifts and avalanches.
Conclusion: Hiking in the Montafon is always worthwhile!
Whether summer or winter, alone, as a couple or with the family: in the Montafon Valley in Vorarlberg, all hikers get their money’s worth. Enjoy fantastic views over the mountains or learn a lot about the region and nature on themed hikes. Afterwards, return to your comfortable hotel in Tschagguns and relax in the spacious wellness area with a well-deserved massage!
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