Hiking

in Gargellen

Border crossings with an alpine backdrop

Hikes from 1,400 m

You will always be confronted with limits at Gargellen - whether it be the national border with Switzerland on the Madrisa circuit, approaching the limits of your stamina on one of the numerous hiking tours or the limit of your courage when crossing a rope bridge on the via ferratas. Impressive border crossings are possible in Gargellen. Maybe you are also simply just looking to distance yourself from the stressful day-to-day world. Gargellen is best suited for this with its altitude.

Take your time - A chance to breathe.

Take a look at our hiking and climbing fibula!

Gargellen Schafberg Trails

Where life’s stories unfold

Let former inhabitants guide you along paths and lead you to still waters. They will tell you stories from long ago and take you to wondrous places. Nature is the same as it was back then – it connects us all. Those who come today as guests and those who lived here in the past.

Overview Gargellen Schafberg Trail

Where life’s stories unfold

The shepherd girl Marie, the customs officer Paul, and the mountain guide Johann take you on a journey and tell you stories from a long-forgotten time. On the Schafberg, the present meets the past – creating a connection that unites everyone.

People come and go. What remains is the mountain.

The shepherd girl Marie

Marie

Time for little explorers | circular trail: 2 hrs

Greetings! I am Marie. I was a shepherd child in a time long gone. I looked after little calves and cheeky kids on Schafberg. Come – I'll show you a circular trail with
balancing stones, bubbling water fountains and a stream bed full of gold nuggets. And together we'll go and meet the donkeys Clemens and Caruso, who love being scratched behind their soft ears.

The trail: The joy of movement. Playing in nature. Young and old can playfully explore the Schafberg on the discovery trail. Animals want to be stroked and exciting stations
discovered. The narrow path partly runs parallel to the promenade – ideal for little hikers.

Paul, the customs officer

Paul

Time for views | circular trail: 1 ½ h

Greetings! I am Paul. I used to work as a young customs officer in Gargellen and watched over the green border. Today I will take you along on a path that’s home
to countless stories and mysterious legends: of cunning smugglers, courageous border guards and daring mountaineers.

The trail: A wide, relaxed gravel path leads to the picturesque reservoirs – a leisurely hike, almost like a long walk. The view of the emerald-green Gandasee and the Valzifenztal valley is fantastic. You can take a leisurely stroll here – even with a baby carriage.

The mountain guide Johann

Johann

Time for hiking | Gandasee 35 min

Greetings! I am Johann. My life as a farmer, poacher and mountain man over 130 years ago is
rich in stories. Schafberg is my home. There I will walk with you to the glistening Gandasee and tell
you about the humility that only nature can teach us – then and now.

The trail: A narrow path leads 270 meters downhill to the crystal-clear Gandasee – sure-footedness and
sturdy shoes are recommended. Brave hikers can jump into the cool water, while leisure hikers can rest on the
charming shore.

You should give those tours a try

Hiking

on historic paths

Smugglers’ Path

The Smugglers’ Path is a varied loop hike which takes you from the mountain restaurant Schafberg Hüsli (2,130 m) and leads you over the St. Antönier Joch (2,379 m) past the Gafiersee (2,290 m) to the Gafierjoch (2,415 m) and then back to the mountain restaurant. There are many things to discover on the four-and-a-half hour loop hike through the border area between Austria and Switzerland. With a little luck, you might spot marmots, golden eagles, chamois or even an ibex.

Detailed description

Half-day tour

especially for families

Gandasee pleasure tour

This simple hike starts at the mountain restaurant Schafberg Hüsli (2,130 m) and leads to the magical Gandasee at the foot of the Madrisa. You follow the hiking trail past the Obwald
Chalet into the Valzifenztal and then walk past the Valzifenzbach back to Gargellen.

More information

Hiking

with a guaranteed panoramic view

Riedkopf mountain tour

The hike to Riedkopf above Gargellen impresses with fantastic panoramic views of the Sulzfluh, the Drei Türme, the Rätschenhorn and, of course, the numerous summits of the Silvretta. The trail leads from the mountain restaurant Schafberg Hüsli to Riedkopf via the St. Antönier Joch (2,552 m). The descent may lead back to Schafberg Hüsli, but may also pass via the Kessl Chalet (Gargellenalpe) or Ronggalpe to Gargellen.

Detailed descprition

Hiking in Gargellen can be so beautiful ...

Get inspired!

Once to Switzerland and back again

Madrisa circuit

Mountains know no bounds

In the place where all sorts of smugglers and traders used to hang around and try to evade the customs officers, there is now an easily accessible network of paths through the mountains of the Rätikon. Those who hike across borders at over 2,000 metres above sea level, and in doing so learn their own limits, know what it means: The Madrisa circuit, which is laid out on fully marked alpine paths, rewards hikers with lasting impressions but also requires fitness and athleticism. Over seven hours of hiking against a high-alpine backdrop, many hikers have had to face their own limits. That’s why the Madrisa circuit should be attempted with a Montafon hiking guide. He knows exciting stories from the time of traders and smugglers. There’s no better way to hike on the tracks of the past. A breathtaking experience in nature with a myriad of heavenly vistas.

Additional Hiking tipp

Gargellner Fensterweg

Mountains don't know any boarders

The Gargellner windows are already known to many as a geological peculiarity, which shows itself in the form of light limestone rocks in the otherwise somewhat darker primary rock massif. The newly initiated “Gargellner Window” (Gargellner Fenster) project is now set to go far beyond that. Above all, it makes use of Gargellen memory and brings many interesting events from bygone times to light. The aim is to create a multi-layered view of all epochs, which enables the Gargellen of today to be experienced holistically through an exciting journey through time. At all historically relevant places there are "windows" that open up the view and allow a mysterious look behind the scenes of this mysterious border region.

Go to the video

Montafon theatre hike

“On the Run”: nature as an impressive stage

On this guided hike, the “teatro caprile” - based on reports from eyewitnesses, historical documents and literary texts - explores the destiny of fleeing people on the Austrian-Swiss border at a variety of locations. An impressive piece of theatre that draws you in.

Watch a short clip