The Essence of the Montafon
Impressions from the Montafon
After a trip, memories remain—and with them, a certain feeling. Depending on one’s personal disposition, it is a nuanced blend of visual impressions, smells, sounds, and emotions. Together, they form the essence of the journey.
"To me, the essence of the Montafon smells like warm hayfields, tastes like Sura Kees, sounds like rushing streams and cowbells, looks like impressively high peaks, and feels like adventure and a warm welcome."
Breathtaking Landscapes
It all starts with first impressions, and in the Montafon, those are undoubtedly shaped by the landscape—because you simply can’t miss it as you arrive. No matter which direction you’re coming from, you’ll see at least one of the three mountain ranges: the Verwall, the Silvretta, and the Rätikon. And you’ll almost certainly find it impossible to take your eyes off them. Mountains in every form, as far as the eye can see. What a landscape!
And if, like us, you drive into the Montafon with the windows down, the scent of warm hayfields immediately wafts up to your nose. A bouquet of grass, flowers, and wild herbs—warm and mild.
"It smells so good that my immediate thought is that we should find a way to preserve this scent so that, even here at home in the urban jungle of Berlin, I can catch a whiff of that soothing breeze of Montafon summer air from time to time."
Feeling Welcome
Once you arrive at your lodging, you’re guaranteed to be warmly welcomed with a cheerful “Grüaß Di.” We’ll hear the same greeting later on the hiking trails as well. Our BergePLUS guide, Christoph, explains this phenomenon as follows: “In Montafon, we’re on a first-name basis with everyone. Anyone who visits here is one of us—no matter what their status in the world may be. We’re all equal here, and that’s why we’re all on a first-name basis. We don’t make any exceptions—not even if it were the Queen of England,” he adds with a smile. The native of Ulm had to get used to this at first, but now he can’t imagine doing it any other way.
“Grüaß Di”
For me, this seemingly small linguistic gesture is the first sign of the hospitality and openness with which the people of Montafon will greet me time and again later on. Whether it’s the hiking guide Edith, who invites me to her private mountain hut before the actual hike begins. Or the waiter at the Sporthotel Grandau, who brings me an extra serving of homemade pasta with a wink and the words “You don’t have to be jealous” after I’d spotted it enviously on my friend’s plate. Or Daniel (pictured right), Sura Kees Bauer, who greets me with a big grin and a warm hug—just as he does with many of his guests.
"The Montafon is welcoming
and leaves no doubt
that you’re welcome.”
The Taste of Sura Kees
And speaking of Daniel, I’m immediately reminded of the taste of Sura Kees.
Because anyone who takes advantage of a summer day for a lovely walk from Gargellen to the Vergaldaalpe will not only get to see the wonderfully blooming mountain landscape and the Montafon Brown Cattle, but will also discover the perfect blend of Obstler and Sura Kees.
Both are available at Daniel’s farm on the Vergaldaalpe. You can order the centuries-old regional specialty Sura Kees (sour cheese), and the high-proof fruit brandy comes as a bonus. Daniel raises a toast with all his guests. After all, no one can say no to this cheerful alpine herdsman. As we chat, he tells me all about the delicious Sura Kees—the extremely low-fat yet high-protein cheese with a fresh and slightly tangy flavor.
That sounds like Montafon
Whether you’re biking to the Muttjöchle or hiking along the Smugglers’ Trail, you might well hear a strange whistling sound. A single whistle signals danger from the air; two whistles warn of danger from the ground. These alert sentinels have thick fur and quickly disappear into their burrows after sounding the alarm. It’s a shame—you’d love to watch these droll marmots a little longer. Their whistling is as much a part of the Montafon as the murmur of the streams or the tinkling of cowbells. All these sounds together would surely make for a wonderful Montafon concert.
It makes you want to come back
Sounds like a truly wonderful, colorful mix for all the senses and the soul, doesn't it? Like something that sparks that deep longing to “come back.” Yes, that's exactly what Montafon gave me in just three days!
About the Author
Nicole went on her first big trip in 2016. Her six-month sabbatical took her across Europe as well as to China, Greenland, and Japan. For her, this first sabbatical was pivotal to everything that followed. Just one year later, she quit her job and set off on another big trip. This time, she spent five months in South America, and that same year, she discovered her passion for the outdoors and hiking in the Himalayas.
This time left a lasting impression on her through countless experiences, and so even today she still prefers to travel with her hero whenever she can and shares her stories on her blog PASSENGER X. She also shares her impressions from her travels and tips for the most beautiful spots on Instagram. It’s definitely worth following her!
