From Gortipohl to the Grappeskopf

Starting Point

Gortipohl Parish Church

Directions

From the Gortipohl Parish Church, you’ll first head uphill toward the Balbier Waterfall. Follow the Allmeinweg trail past the playground until you reach the Balbier Stream. After just a short while, you’ll come to the Balbier Waterfall, one of the most striking highlights of the tour.

After the waterfall, the first challenging section begins. On a narrow trail, you’ll climb steeply uphill through a sparse spruce forest and across small clearings. Over just a few kilometers, you’ll gain a significant amount of elevation and reach the Maisäß Manigg at around 1,350 meters.

Further up, the terrain opens up. You’ll hike up to the Alpe Netza at around 1,850 meters. Beyond the Alpe, the landscape changes dramatically: the wide valley floor surrounding the Balbierbach, alpine meadows, and the view of the Valschavieler Maderer now dominate the scenery. Depending on the season, you’ll need to cross a few small streams.

You continue following the valley uphill toward the Austenboden and then reach a broad ridge. Here, you head toward the Grappeskopf. The route climbs once more before reaching its highest point on the ridge above the Austenboden. The trail then leads over the ridge—or around the Zapfkopf—to the Grappeskopf at 2,206 meters.

At the summit, a sweeping view opens up over Gortipohl and St. Gallenkirch, as well as the surrounding mountain ranges of the Verwall, the Silvretta, and the Rätikon.

For the return trip, descend steeply on the south side of the Grappeskopf through the area of avalanche barriers. Further down, you’ll reach a forest road, which you’ll follow toward Maisäß Sasarscha. From there, a narrower trail continues down the valley until you rejoin the ascent route.

Finally, you’ll hike back along the familiar path to Gortipohl and the Kuratie Church.

End Point
Kuratie Church, Gortipohl

By public transportation:
With the Montafon regional bus and the Montafonerbahn, you can get around the valley comfortably and flexibly. The train and bus connect the towns regularly, every half hour or every hour, depending on the route. You can find the right connection for you HERE. Stop for this tour: Gortipohl Center.

By car:
Take the A14 to the Bludenz/Montafon exit, then follow the Montafoner Straße L188 into the valley toward Gortipohl. In the town center, turn onto Alte Landstraße and follow it toward the Kuratie Church. Parking is available at the Family Center, located right next to the church.

The hike is not technically difficult, but should by no means be underestimated due to its length and the significant elevation gain. Excellent physical conditioning and sure-footedness are required.

The first ascent above the Balbier Waterfall is very steep for long stretches. Caution is also advised during the descent from the Grappeskopf through the avalanche barriers, especially in wet conditions.

In the upper section, navigation is more challenging in places than on classic, heavily trafficked hiking trails. Bring appropriate maps or an up-to-date digital trail map and stay on the designated route. An older tour description notes that markings are sometimes faint, particularly in the area above the Alpe Netza.

There are no reliable, staffed rest stops along the route. Therefore, be sure to bring enough food and drinks for a long day in the mountains. The Netzaalpe is also explicitly listed as having no food service in the current Montafon Tour guide.

Check the current weather and trail conditions before setting out. Do not attempt the hike if there is a risk of thunderstorms, poor visibility, or wet conditions.

Balbier Waterfall: Right at the start, it’s worth pausing for a moment. Here, the Balbierbach stream plunges over a striking rock ledge into the valley, providing an impressive start to the hike.

Don’t just view Netza as a thoroughfare: Behind the alp, a surprisingly vast and peaceful landscape opens up. It’s precisely the contrast between the steep climb through the forest and the open alpine terrain that makes this tour so appealing.

Start early: With an elevation gain of around 1,500 meters, the Grappeskopf makes for a full-fledged day on the mountain. Starting early gives you plenty of time for breaks, changes in the weather, and the long descent.

Look back: From the Grappeskopf, the view down toward Gortipohl and St. Gallenkirch is particularly rewarding. Only from up here can you see just how far you’ve climbed from the valley floor.