Neue Heilbronner Hütte - Scheidseen - Schönverwall Valley - Langsee - Upper Freschalpe - Schwarzsee - Dürrwald Chapel - Lower Dürrwald Alp - Lower Gafluna Alp - Hiking bus stop
The hike starts at the Neue Heilbronner Hütte in Montafon, which is located on the border between Vorarlberg and Tyrol. Along the Scheidseen, you settle in and shortly afterward begin the descent into the Schönverwall. Once down, you hike parallel to the "Rosanna" river out of the valley towards St. Anton am Arlberg until the "Silbertaler Winterjöchle" junction. There you turn left and descend briefly, cross the Rosanna, and ascend again on the other side. The easy ascent begins. Shortly afterwards, you reach the state border, and your hike continues on Vorarlberg soil. You are back in Montafon. Follow the narrow path, and after a good half hour, you reach the Langsee. The Langsee, with its great location and a popular photo motif, invites you to take a break. The Patteriol, the striking and pointed mountain in Tyrolean territory, is reflected in the lake. After the break, continue. Follow the path to the Upper Freschalpe. There, the narrow path ends in a wider path. Via this, you go slightly downhill out of the valley. In less than half an hour, you reach the Schwarzsee, which is clearly visible from the wide path. Surrounded by stone pine bushes, it lies slightly below the path. Unlike the Langsee, this lake is very marshy. Stay on the path and continue straight ahead. The signpost indicates that you will reach the Lower Gafluna Alp in 1 1/4 hours. The trail continues slightly downhill and leads to the hiking bus stop on a broad path. You pass through forest sections with lush green areas and several marshes. The Litz is your constant companion, still small, inconspicuous, and gentle, but this will change. The further you hike out of the valley, the wider and louder the Litz becomes. Once you reach the Lower Gafluna Alp, the hike is nearing its end. After 5 minutes, you reach the hiking bus stop, which takes you to the center of Silbertal.
Silbertal Hiking Bus:
The Silbertal hiking bus operates from mid-June to mid-September every Tuesday & Friday from the Silbertal fire station to the Lower Gafluna Alp. Advance registration by 5:00 p.m. the day before at the Silbertal tourism office, Tel. +43 50 6686 230, is essential. The Montafon-Brandnertal-Card multi-day summer or season ticket does not include the hiking bus.
The European protected area, also known as the Natura 2000 Verwall area on the border with Tyrol, is an important part of Vorarlberg's Natura 2000 network due to its large area and tranquility. The little-developed mountain area is a habitat and refuge for many mountain plants and shy animals. This includes chamois and golden eagles, as well as ptarmigans and the Krautweide, the "smallest tree in the world", which only protrudes a few centimeters from the ground.
