Hiking Trail

Around the Ritzenspitzen

Vergaldaalpe
The Ritzenspitze in spring
just before the Vergaldaalpe
Valzifenztal
Valzifenztal

Factbox

Difficulty: schwer
Distance: 16.38 km
Ascent: 1133 m
Descent: 965 m
Duration: 6.5 h
Deepest point: 1427 m
Highest point: 2478 m
Condition:

Experience:

Landscape:

  • Höhenprofil

    Gargellen - Lower Valzifenzalpe - Upper Valzifenzalpe - Winter Valley - Customs hut - Valzifenzer Joch - Alpe Vergalden - Gargellen

    Water will be our constant companion on this long, lonely hike, during which we circle the jagged Ritzenspitzen peaks through two beautiful high valleys. At the highest point of the hike, you will be rewarded with an impressive panorama of the Silvretta massif and Vergalda valley. Part of the path used to be the route of the pack carriers and smugglers (Via Valtellina).

    Presented by: Montafon
    Author: Hanna Burger

  • Difficulty: schwer
    Condition:

    Experience:

    Landscape:

    		Altitude: 2478 m 1427 m Best season:
    JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
    JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
    Equipment:

    knöchelhohe Wanderschuhe mit gutem Profil, Wanderstöcke zu empfehlen

  • Directions

    The route around the Ritzenspitzen starts in Gargellen at the valley station of the Schafbergbahn. We walk slightly uphill to Vergalda. Once there, we turn right and hike along a footpath following the Valzifenzbach stream to the Lower Valzifenzalpe (1693 m) and then continue on the hiking trail to the Upper Valzifenzalpe (1838 m). For a long time, this was the route of the pack carriers and smugglers. From there, we head east towards Winter Valley. On the Augstenberg, you pass several small lakes and reach the customs hut located at 2221 m. The last ascent leads to the Valzifenzer Joch (2485 m) – the highest point of this route. The reward for this effort is an impressive panorama of the Silvretta massif and Vergalda valley. From here, the path descends to Alpe Vergalda (1820 m). In about 1.5 hours, you reach the alpine pasture, which is operated in summer. Along the Vergalda stream, you return to Gargellen in about 1 hour.

    Start Talstation Schafbergbahn in Gargellen
    Coordinates:
    Geogr. 46.96819 N 9.91908 E
    Destination Talstation Schafbergbahn in Gargellen

    Waypoints

  • Public transportation:

    Just leave your car parked

    The regional buses run throughout Montafon. The main lines run every half hour from Schruns station.

    Bus stop at the start/finish of the route: Gargellen Schafbergbahn/ line 670

    Timetable: www.vmobil.at

    Arrival by train to Montafon

    From Bludenz station, the Montafon railway runs hourly (sometimes every half hour). There are also direct connections from Lindau (Germany) and Bregenz.

    Timetable: www.oebb.at

    Approach:

    Take the A14 to the Bludenz/Montafon exit and continue on Montafonerstraße L188 to St. Gallenkirch. There, turn right onto Gargellnerstraße (B192) and follow it up to Gargellen.


    Route Planner

    Park:

    Parking lot Bergbahnen Gargellen (paid)