Montafon Attractions
The Montafon is a high valley some 40km/25mi long through which the Ill flows northwestward to join the Rhine. It begins south of Bludenz and goes up between the Rätikon massif in the west and the Verwall group in the east to the Bielerhöhe (2,032m/6,667ft), now traversed by the Silvretta Road. The first settlers were Raeto-Romanic, and they have left their mark on the place names and family names found locally. This inviting valley and its side valleys are popular with walkers and skiers in both summer and winter.
Bartholomaberg, Austria
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, Austria
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).
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Silbertal
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).
Silvretta Massif
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).
Summer Concerts
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.
The venues are equally impressive, and include many of the local parish churches.
Vandans, Austria
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.
Zimba
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".
