Montafon Attractions

Bartholomäberg (1,085m/3,560ft), probably the oldest settlement in the Montafon, is located north of Schruns. Note the parish church (1732) with its carved altar of 1525, a fine late 18th C. organ and a valuable 13th C. processional cross with Limoges enameling.

Gaschurn (1,000m/3,300ft; pop.1,100) is the starting point for the "Silvretta Nova" winter sports area (several ski lifts). The Versettlabahn, a chairlift for six people, ascends via the intermediate station of Rehsee (1,480m/4,856ft) to the upper station at Burggraf (2,010m/6,596ft; restaurant). The Versailspitze (2,464m/8,084ft; extensive views) can be climbed in four to five hours by way of the Versailhaus (2,280m/7,481ft; tourist accommodation; skiing area).

From Schruns in the Montafon a road goes 5km/3mi northeastward up the Litzbach valley to Silbertal (889m/2,917ft), where silver and copper were mined from the 14th to the 16th C. There is a cableway to the Kristberg (1,442m/4,731ft), with a chapel of 1407 (Late Gothic carved altar).

The upper part of the Montafon lies below the peaks, glaciers and artificial lakes of the Silvretta massif (Piz Buin, 3,312m/10,867ft; Piz Linard, 3,411m/ 11,191ft, which is in fact in Switzerland).

Montafon holds a series of concerts every summer. The concerts first began in 1977 and usually take place between mid-May and mid-September. Events include chamber music concerts, choral and orchestral performances, organ recitals and even a music workshop for Professional Female Musicians.

The venues are equally impressive, and include many of the local parish churches.

At the mouth of the Montafon - where the Rellstal enters the Illtal - lies the scattered community of Vandans (650m/2,133ft; pop. 1,500), an old Raeto-Roman settlement. The name comes from the Raeto-Roman word "fantauns", meaning a stretch of water. A road (closed to ordinary traffic) climbs the beautiful Rellstal to the Unter Zaluandaalm (1,700m/5,580ft), and there is a pleasant walk along this road to the Lüner See (1,970m/6,464ft). A chairlift goes from Vandans to Latschau, connecting it with the Golmerbahn.

The lower part of Montafon is dominated by the pyramidal peak of Zimba (over 2,600m/8,500ft), the shape of which has earned it the name of the "Matterhorn of Austria".