Kristberg to the Upper Meadow and back via the Coral Reef

Directions

The first altitude meters are covered with the Kristbergbahn cable car. From the mountain station, the route initially goes a bit steeply through the forest on a section of the Knappa path up to the Kristberg saddle. From the Kristberg saddle, a wide path leads past the Silbertal Forest School. Then comes the next steep but rather short ascent. After that, the path continues only slightly uphill through the forest, past ponds and sometimes smaller lakes (depending on dryness). Shortly thereafter, you reach the first junction “Ganzaleita.” You follow the signposts further towards the Ganzaleita viewpoint. The path to the Ganzaleita viewpoint first leads over roots and through sections of forest uphill until you reach a tree clearing. Then it continues along a meadow path. After about 10 minutes, you reach the viewpoint. Here you have the opportunity to look into the adjacent Klostertal. The Red Wall stands almost opposite, or with good visibility, you can even see as far as the Arlberg region. The Flexenpass road towards Lech is visible. You can also see the places Dalaas, Wald am Arlberg, and Klösterle. If you’re lucky, an ÖBB train winds its way through the Klostertal. Along the meadow path, continue towards Falla, slightly uphill. A little later, the path zigzags uphill in the blazing sun, directly along the embankment, partly on the ridge. A fence is installed. On this path, the Klostertal is even more visible. The next signpost is “Falla.” Here, the geological educational path is also indicated. Follow the signposts towards Küngsmaiß and Alpe Latons. After a short further ascent, the path on the Klostertal side leads flat around the mountain. After about 5-10 minutes, you reach the next junction. The last section to the Upper Meadow leads uphill again. Over a narrow path and across the meadow, you reach the Upper Meadow in about 25-30 minutes, practically at the foot of Alpilakopf. Behind it is Itonskopf. On the Upper Meadow there is a cross and from here you have a fantastic view of Montafon. At the cross, there is a resting bench which is excellent for a break. A nap is also allowed. The hike then continues along the meadow path towards Alpilakopf. At the junction, keep left and the descent over the Coral Reef begins. After about 15 minutes, you reach the next junction. Keep right towards Falla. You then reach another junction; now you are in the Gäßtuala area. Of course, you could also turn left here and hike back via Falla, Ganzaleita to the starting point. To avoid mostly walking the same way back to Kristberg, take the path to the right towards Fritzensee. Also, the descent over Falla is relatively slippery due to the stony terrain/path. You continue descending and reach the Amas-Legi area. In Amas-Legi, turn left and follow the wide path towards Fulateia. You pass some traditional alpine haylofts. From the Amas-Legi area, the hike to the Kristberg saddle takes about 1 hour. The wide path first leads slightly uphill and winds along the slope towards Kristberg. In the Fulateia area, turn left onto the hiking trail. The time indication from here to the Kristberg saddle is about 45 minutes. At the Ganzaleita viewpoint, you take the last descent back along the same path to the Silbertal Forest School. Between the small lake on the right (Hugelsee) and the Silbertal Forest School, a forest path branches off to the right. You descend further via this path and shortly reach the St. Agatha Mountain Miners Chapel or the Panorama Inn Kristberg. From the Panorama Inn Kristberg, it is about 5 minutes to the Kristbergbahn mountain station (starting point).

Public transportation:

Just leave your car standing

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

Bus stop for the start/finish of the route: Silbertal Kristbergbahn / line 680

Timetable: www.vmobil.at

Arrival by train

From Bludenz train station the Montafon railway runs hourly (sometimes half-hourly). There are also direct connections from Lindau (D) and Bregenz.

Timetable: www.oebb.at

Approach:

Drive on the A14 to the Bludenz/Montafon exit and continue on Montafonerstraße L188 to Schruns. Then continue via Silbertalerstraße to Silbertal.

Park:

Kristbergbahn car park (fee-based, there is a refund when using the cable car)