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Montafon
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Montafon combines Vorarlberg mountain villages, Alpine hiking, winter sports, traditional farmhouses and high routes towards the Silvretta.

Montafon is a south-facing Alpine valley in Vorarlberg, western Austria, extending from the broad Ill valley near Bludenz towards the high mountain passes of the Silvretta and Rätikon. Its landscape changes markedly along the valley: the lower settlements have meadows, orchards and historic farmhouses, while the upper valley becomes more rugged, with glaciated peaks, cable-car access to ski areas and long hiking routes. The valley is formed by the Ill and its tributaries, with side valleys leading towards Silbertal, Gargellen and the high alpine landscapes around Gaschurn and Partenen.
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Schruns is the principal centre and the traditional cultural heart of Montafon, with a compact centre, museums, cafés and access to the surrounding mountains. Tschagguns, St Gallenkirch, Gaschurn, Partenen, Vandans, Bartholomäberg and Silbertal each have a different setting and character. Bartholomäberg occupies a sunny terrace above the valley and is associated with early mining and broad views, while Gargellen, at the head of a side valley, lies close to the Swiss border and has a more secluded high-mountain atmosphere. The valley’s villages are linked by a narrow-gauge railway and buses, although a car is useful for exploring scattered trailheads and side valleys.
Montafon’s identity has been shaped by farming, trade across Alpine passes, mining and the movement of people between the valley and neighbouring regions. The traditional Montafonerhaus, a dark timber-and-stone farmhouse with a distinctive form, remains one of the clearest architectural expressions of this history. Museums in Schruns and Bartholomäberg interpret local agriculture, domestic life, mining and the development of tourism. Alpine dairies, hay meadows and cattle traditions still form part of the working landscape rather than serving merely as scenery.
Outdoor activities dominate contemporary visits, with extensive walking and mountain-bike routes in summer and several interconnected ski areas in winter. The Golm area above Vandans and Tschagguns is known for family-oriented mountain recreation, while Silvretta Montafon offers higher, more demanding terrain around St Gallenkirch, Gaschurn and Silbertal. Gargellen provides another high-altitude setting, and the Kristberg above Silbertal is valued for gentler walks and panoramic views. Weather can change quickly in the mountains, so route choice and equipment matter in every season.
Local food reflects Vorarlberg and wider Alpine traditions: mountain cheese, Kässpätzle, soups, yeast pastries and dishes made with potatoes, dairy products and seasonal produce are common in inns and mountain huts. Montafon is best understood as a connected valley with distinct villages, not as a single resort. A rewarding itinerary combines one or two historic settlements with time on the mountain, allowing for the considerable difference between the valley floor and the high Alpine terrain.

When is the best time to visit Montafon?

Best: July–September · 19–23°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January260
February355
March865
April1170
May1790
June21105
July (best)23110
August (best)23105
September (best)1985
October1475
November870
December465

Getting to and around Montafon

How to get there

The usual rail gateway is Bludenz, outside Montafon at the entrance to the valley, with long-distance trains from other parts of Austria and international connections via larger rail hubs. From Bludenz, the Montafonerbahn continues to Schruns, while buses serve further valley settlements. By road, Montafon is reached from the Vorarlberg Rhine valley through Bludenz; the A14 motorway is the principal approach, with a local road continuing south into the valley. The nearest useful airports are generally outside the region, including Innsbruck, Zurich and Friedrichshafen, so rail or a hired car is needed for the final journey.

Transportation

The railway reaches Schruns, and buses connect Schruns with villages including Tschagguns, Vandans, St Gallenkirch, Gaschurn, Partenen, Bartholomäberg and Silbertal, subject to seasonal changes. Local lifts provide access to major walking and skiing areas, but not every trailhead is directly served by public transport. A car is convenient for side valleys, early starts and dispersed attractions, although winter equipment and mountain-road conditions require care. Cycling is practical on valley routes, while high passes and steep side roads demand considerable fitness. Check current lift, bus and road arrangements before travelling.

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Best attractions in Montafon

Montafon’s attractions are distributed through a long Alpine valley rather than concentrated in one town. Schruns provides museums, cultural institutions and easy access to the valley railway, while the historic villages and farmhouses around Bartholomäberg and Tschagguns show how settlement developed on sunny terraces above the Ill. The mining heritage of Bartholomäberg and Silbertal offers a different perspective on the region’s past. Above the valley, the Golm, Silvretta Montafon, Gargellen and Kristberg areas provide hiking, skiing, mountain biking and panoramic routes, with a range of terrain from family-friendly paths to demanding high-mountain excursions. The Silvretta-Hochalpenstraße begins at Partenen and is a major scenic road leading towards the high Alps and onward into Tyrol when seasonally open. Alpine dairies, meadows, forest tracks and marked walking routes offer quieter alternatives to the lift stations, although access and opening arrangements vary by season. The attraction landscape is therefore a combination of living rural culture, interpretive heritage, engineered mountain infrastructure and dramatic natural terrain.

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Best landmarks in Montafon

Montafon’s most recognisable landmarks reflect both its mountain setting and its rural history. The parish church of St Bartholomäus at Bartholomäberg stands above the valley and forms a prominent focal point in a settlement associated with early mining and historic farmsteads. In Schruns, the parish church of St Jodok and the surrounding centre provide an architectural reference point for the valley’s traditional main town. The Montafonerhaus, found in surviving examples across villages such as Bartholomäberg, Silbertal and Tschagguns, is a defining vernacular landmark rather than a single monument; its timber-and-masonry form records the practical organisation of Alpine farm life. The steep Rätikon mountains to the west and the higher Silvretta ranges towards Partenen give Montafon its great natural landmarks, with distinctive peaks and passes visible from valley terraces. The Silvretta-Hochalpenstraße is also a major engineered landmark: beginning at Partenen, it climbs towards the high Alpine landscape before continuing beyond Montafon into Tyrol. Together these places show how churches, farmhouses, roads and mountain forms shape the valley’s identity.

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Best restaurants in Montafon

Dining in Montafon combines Vorarlberg specialities with the practical food traditions of an Alpine farming valley. Kässpätzle, made with pasta, local-style cheese and onions, is widely encountered, alongside cheese dumplings, soups, rösti-like potato dishes, yeast pastries and cakes. Mountain cheese and other dairy products are important regional ingredients, often served in village inns, mountain huts and alpine dairies. Schruns and the larger resort villages offer the broadest choice of cafés, restaurants and contemporary menus, while smaller settlements tend towards traditional inns and seasonal establishments. Mountain restaurants are central to the skiing and hiking experience, but their opening periods, menus and payment arrangements can differ from those in the valley. Local produce markets and farm shops, where available, are useful for bread, cheese, jams and other provisions. Austrian wine is common on menus, while beer, coffee and fruit-based drinks complement the regional food culture.

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Best bars in Montafon

Evening life in Montafon is generally sociable and low-key rather than centred on a large nightclub district. Schruns and the main ski villages have the widest selection of hotel bars, traditional pubs, après-ski venues and restaurants that remain open into the evening, with activity usually increasing during the winter season. Gaschurn, St Gallenkirch and nearby resort areas attract visitors seeking live music and après-ski entertainment, while smaller villages rely more on village inns, hotel lounges and occasional local events. In summer, evenings often focus on outdoor dining, mountain-view terraces and cultural programmes rather than late-night venues. Craft beer, Austrian wines, schnapps and non-alcoholic drinks are available, but visitors do not need to drink alcohol to participate in local social life. Check return transport carefully, as services between villages become less frequent later in the evening.

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Best nightclubs in Montafon

Evening life in Montafon is generally sociable and low-key rather than centred on a large nightclub district. Schruns and the main ski villages have the widest selection of hotel bars, traditional pubs, après-ski venues and restaurants that remain open into the evening, with activity usually increasing during the winter season. Gaschurn, St Gallenkirch and nearby resort areas attract visitors seeking live music and après-ski entertainment, while smaller villages rely more on village inns, hotel lounges and occasional local events. In summer, evenings often focus on outdoor dining, mountain-view terraces and cultural programmes rather than late-night venues. Craft beer, Austrian wines, schnapps and non-alcoholic drinks are available, but visitors do not need to drink alcohol to participate in local social life. Check return transport carefully, as services between villages become less frequent later in the evening.

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Best shops in Montafon

Shopping in Montafon is focused on practical Alpine goods, regional food and independent village retail rather than large-scale urban commerce. Schruns has the broadest choice of shops, including outdoor equipment, clothing, groceries, cafés, books and locally oriented gift shops, while neighbouring resort villages provide equipment hire and seasonal sports retail. Farm shops and specialist food outlets are suitable places to look for mountain cheese, bread, preserves, honey and other regional produce. Traditional craft items, woodwork, textiles and products referencing the Montafonerhaus or local mountain culture may appear in museum shops and independent retailers, although stock varies. Weekly markets and seasonal events can add local produce and handmade goods, but dates should be checked locally. Visitors seeking extensive department stores or luxury shopping will find a much smaller offer than in nearby urban centres such as Bludenz, outside Montafon. The most useful purchases are generally food provisions, quality walking or ski equipment and durable regional products rather than mass-produced souvenirs.

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Montafon essentials

Currency and Payment
Montafon uses the euro, with the currency code EUR, as part of Austria. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, transport sales points and established restaurants, particularly in larger villages and resort centres. Cash remains useful for smaller alpine huts, rural businesses, lockers and occasional local purchases, and some mountain locations may have unreliable mobile reception or payment connectivity. ATMs are available in the principal settlements, but visitors staying in remote accommodation should not assume that a cash machine is close by.
Safety
Montafon is a well-developed Alpine destination, but mountain activities carry genuine risks. Keep to marked routes, read local weather and avalanche information in winter, and use suitable footwear, clothing and navigation equipment. Snowfields, steep slopes, loose ground and sudden storms can affect summer walks as well as winter touring. Treat cattle and other grazing animals cautiously, keep dogs controlled where required and avoid approaching calves. Roads can be narrow and winding, while winter driving may require approved tyres or snow chains. Leave route details with someone when undertaking longer or remote walks.
Emergency Situations
The national European emergency number 112 can connect visitors with emergency services in Austria. Police are reached on 133, fire and rescue services on 122, and ambulance services on 144. Mountain rescue is reached on 140, which is particularly relevant for hiking, climbing and winter sports in Montafon. For non-urgent medical advice, Austria’s health service number 1450 may be useful. Give rescuers a precise location, lift or trail name, and details of the terrain; mobile coverage can be intermittent in high valleys, so do not rely on a phone alone for navigation.
Do's and Don'ts
Keep to marked paths and respect signs, private land, grazing areas and forestry work. Close gates behind you, avoid disturbing livestock and take rubbish away from mountain routes. In churches and museums, dress and behave respectfully, and ask before photographing people or interiors where appropriate. Queuing and punctuality are expected on public transport and organised excursions. Tipping in restaurants is customary but discretionary, usually by rounding up or adding a modest amount for good service. Do not assume that a cable car, hut or mountain road operates outside its published seasonal period.
Local Tips
The valley railway makes it easy to combine Schruns with a lift-accessed mountain day, but the final return connection should be checked before starting a long walk. Bartholomäberg is especially worthwhile for views and mining history, while Silbertal offers access to the Kristberg and a quieter side-valley experience. In summer, early starts provide better conditions and reduce exposure to afternoon thunderstorms; in winter, daylight and road conditions can limit plans more than distance suggests. Ask accommodation providers about local mobility arrangements, trail conditions and whether a regional guest card applies during your stay.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHallo[Hah-lo]
GoodbyeAuf Wiedersehen[Owf Vee-der-zay-en]
YesJa[Yah]
NoNein[Nine]
Please/You're welcomeBitte[Bitt-eh]
Thank youDanke[Dahn-keh]
Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung[Ent-shool-dee-goong]
How are you?Wie geht's?[Vee gate's?]
Fine. And you?Gut. Und dir?[Goot. Oond deer?]
Do you speak English?Sprichst du Englisch?[Shprikst doo English?]
I don't understandIch verstehe nicht[Ish fer-shtay-eh niht]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch möchte die Speisekarte sehen, bitte[Ish mer-khte dee Shpie-zee-kahr-teh zay-en, bitt-eh]
I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch[Ish ess-eh kine Fly-sh]
Cheers!Prost![Prohst]
I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte bezahlen, bitte[Ish mer-khte beh-tsah-len, bitt-eh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hilfe![Hil-feh]
Go away!Geh weg![Gay vek]
Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei![Roof-en zee dee Po-li-tsai]
Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt![Roof-en zee eye-nen Artst]
I'm lostIch habe mich verlaufen[Ish ha-beh mikh fer-lau-fen]
I'm illIch bin krank[Ish bin krank]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ich möchte ... kaufen[Ish mer-khte ... kau-fen]
I'm just lookingIch schaue nur[Ish shau-eh noor]
How much is it?Wie viel kostet das?[Vee feel kost-et das?]
That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer[Das ist tsu toy-er]
Can you lower the price?Können Sie den Preis senken?[Kern-en zee den price sen-ken?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Wie spät ist es?[Vee shpaet ist es?]
It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr[Es ist ine Oor]
Half past (10)Halb (10)[Halb (10)]
MorningMorgen[Mor-gen]
AfternoonNachmittag[Nahch-mit-tahg]
EveningAbend[Ah-bent]
YesterdayGestern[Geh-stern]
TodayHeute[Hoy-teh]
TomorrowMorgen[Mor-gen]
1Eins[Eins]
2Zwei[Ts-vai]
3Drei[Dry]
4Vier[Feer]
5Fünf[Fünf]
6Sechs[Zex]
7Sieben[Zee-ben]
8Acht[Acht]
9Neun[Noyn]
10Zehn[Tsen]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/das...?[Vo ist ine/das...?]
What's the address?Wie lautet die Adresse?[Vee laut-et dee Ah-dres-seh?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir (auf der Karte) zeigen?[Kern-en zee meer (owf der Kart-eh) tsai-gen?]
When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?[Vahn komt der nay-shteh (Boos)?]
A ticket (to ....)Ein Ticket (nach ...)[Ine Ticket (nahch ...)]

History of Montafon

Prehistoric settlement and Roman-era connections

Archaeological evidence indicates human activity in the Montafon region before the Roman period, although the valley was never an urban centre of the Roman world. Its position between the Rhine valley and Alpine passes gave it importance as part of a wider network linking settlements across the mountains. Roman influence reached the surrounding Vorarlberg area, and later routes continued to connect Montafon with neighbouring valleys. The landscape visitors see today was shaped much later by farming, but the valley’s role as a corridor through the Alps has deep historical roots.

Medieval farming communities and church foundations

During the Middle Ages, Montafon developed as a collection of farming settlements organised around parish churches, alpine pastures and local estates. Religious foundations helped structure community life, while paths over mountain passes connected the valley with the Rhine valley, Prättigau and other Alpine districts. Churches in settlements such as Bartholomäberg and Schruns preserve elements of this long development, although many buildings were altered or rebuilt over time. The medieval economy depended on livestock, haymaking, grain where conditions allowed, and trade along difficult but valuable mountain routes.

Mining in Bartholomäberg and the wider valley

Mining is one of Montafon’s most important early industries. Copper and other ores were extracted in the Bartholomäberg area and elsewhere in the valley from the Middle Ages into the early modern period, with periods of renewed activity as demand and technology changed. Mining brought specialist knowledge, trade and additional income, but it also depended on arduous labour and difficult transport. The mining heritage remains visible through interpreted sites, museum displays and traces in the hills around Bartholomäberg and Silbertal, adding an industrial dimension to a landscape often associated primarily with farming and skiing.

Walser settlement and Alpine cultural exchange

From the late Middle Ages onwards, Walser settlers established communities in several high Alpine areas of the wider region, including parts of the Montafon landscape. Walser communities are associated with distinctive settlement patterns, farming practices and Alemannic dialect traditions, although Montafon’s culture cannot be reduced to a single origin. Movement across passes brought continuing exchange with neighbouring valleys in present-day Switzerland and Tyrol. This history helps explain the variety of local speech, house forms and rural traditions found between the valley floor and higher settlements such as Gargellen.

Agriculture, trade and the Montafonerhaus

For centuries, Montafon households combined farming with seasonal work, timber use, livestock keeping and trade. The Montafonerhaus developed as a practical building type suited to this economy, bringing living quarters, storage and agricultural functions together under one roof. Its combination of timber construction and masonry, often with carefully arranged entrances and working spaces, became a defining feature of the valley’s built heritage. Although modern life has transformed the rural economy, surviving farmhouses, hay meadows and alpine pastures show how strongly settlement and landscape were shaped by self-sufficient farming.

Tourism, railways and the modern Alpine economy

Tourism expanded in Montafon during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, encouraged by improved roads, the railway connection from Bludenz to Schruns and growing interest in Alpine scenery. Winter sports later transformed the valley’s economy, bringing lifts, hotels and purpose-built facilities to several villages. This development did not erase the older settlements: farming, forestry, local crafts and heritage institutions remain part of the regional economy. Today Montafon balances a substantial outdoor-tourism industry with efforts to maintain village character, traditional architecture and working mountain landscapes.

Montafon in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Montafon, Austria

Discover Montafon with Evendo - the 100% free app-based travel guide covering all attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and activities.
  • Booking options for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences.
  • Rich content including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details.
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Experience Montafon like never before with Evendo, your comprehensive and free travel guide app. From booking hotels to exploring local gems, Evendo has you covered.

  • Curated local tips to experience Montafon like a local.
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Are you planning a trip to Montafon, Austria? Let Evendo be your personal travel guide, making your journey unforgettable and hassle-free. Montafon, known for its stunning alpine scenery and rich cultural heritage, has much to offer, and with Evendo, you won't miss a thing.

Explore iconic landmarks such as the Silvretta Montafon ski area and the stunning Vermuntstausee reservoir. Discover charming villages like Schruns and Gaschurn, each brimming with unique attractions and local charm. For history enthusiasts, the Montafon Museum offers a deep dive into the region's past. Foodies will delight in dining at renowned restaurants like Löwen Hotel Montafon and Mühle Heuriger, where you can savor authentic Austrian cuisine.

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