Montafon is an alpine valley in Vorarlberg, Austria, hemmed in by the Silvretta and Rätikon ranges. Once a mining area (especially in the side-valley of Silbertal), it later drew writers, mountaineers, and skiers—Ernest Hemingway famously spent two winters in Schruns, revising The Sun Also Rises between long days on the slopes.

Today, Montafon is a year-round playground: Silvretta Montafon’s lifts link ridge walks in summer and high, snow-sure pistes in winter; the Golm adventure area thrills with zip-lines and an alpine coaster; and the Silvretta Hochalpenstraße delivers hairpin views up to the Bielerhöhe at 2,032 m. Villages like Schruns, St. Gallenkirch, Gaschurn, and Gargellen keep an authentic rhythm—farmhouses, onion-domed chapels, and cows grazing along panoramic trails.

Plan for hearty local cuisine: keesknöpfle (cheese spätzle), Riebel (cornmeal comfort), Sura Kees (a tangy regional cheese), and crisp schnitzel. Trains easily connect via Bludenz; buses run the valley. In summer, carry sun protection and layers for sudden weather shifts; in winter, check avalanche and lift advisories. Card-savvy? Most places take them, but keep some euros for huts and small shops.

Schruns

Schruns is the valley hub—compact, walkable, and front-row to the Hochjoch massif. Its center mixes painted facades with café terraces and the Montafon museum. It’s the easiest base for first-timers thanks to frequent trains from Bludenz and fast access to both Hochjoch and the Golm area.

Highlights include the Hochjoch cable car for ridge views, the Golm adventure park (coaster, via ferrata, forest ropes), and the quiet, history-rich Silbertal side-valley—reachable in minutes but worlds away. Literary fans can trace Hemingway anecdotes around the village and at the local museum.

• Where to stay: Browse chalets and apartments on VRBO Schruns or compare hotels on Hotels.com Schruns. Look near the railway station or Silvrettastraße for easy bus/lift access.
• Getting to Schruns: Fly into Zurich, Munich, or Innsbruck and continue by train to Bludenz, then the Montafonerbahn to Schruns (≈20 min). Check times/prices on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). Typical: Zurich Airport → Schruns 2h45–3h15 with 1–2 changes (~€30–55 advance); Munich → 4.5–5.5 h (~€35–70); Innsbruck → 2h15–3h (~€20–35).

Day 1: Arrive in Schruns, village stroll, museum, and hearty Montafon fare

Morning: Travel into Montafon. If you’re landing in Europe today, aim for an early flight; trains via Bludenz are frequent. Grab train snacks en route—save appetite for local specialties later.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander Schruns’ center: neat arcades, a Baroque parish church, and the Montafon museum for mining lore and Hemingway tidbits. For a sweet break, sit down for apple strudel and coffee at a hotel café in the center; many open to non-guests.

Evening: Feast on regional classics. Try the historic dining rooms at “Gasthof/Hotel Taube” in the village core for keesknöpfle with crispy onions and a glass of local white. Another excellent option is the Löwen Hotel’s “Löwen Stube” (reserve), where chefs give Montafon ingredients a refined spin; slide to the Lions Lounge afterward for a nightcap schnapps.

Day 2: Hochjoch panoramas or Golm adventures

Morning: Take the Hochjochbahn from Schruns for sweeping views. In summer, follow the ridge trail toward Kreuzjoch or the easy loop above the Seetal lakes; in winter, carve the Hochjoch sector. Coffee stop with a view at the Kapellrestaurant near the top—great for early strudel.

Afternoon: Hikers: push to the Wormser Hütte (alpine hut, hearty soups and Brettljause). Families or thrill-seekers: shift to the Golm area (bus to Latschau) for the Alpine-Coaster-Golm, the forest ropes course, and the Flying Fox zip-line. Warm up with cake or soup at Haus Matschwitz on the mountain.

Evening: Back in Schruns, go classic Austrian: wiener schnitzel or venison ragout in a rustic stube, or modern alpine cuisine at a central hotel restaurant. Pair with a crisp Grüner Veltliner or local beer. If you fancy a relaxed drink, the Lions Lounge mixes very good spritzes and digestifs.

Gaschurn

South of St. Gallenkirch, Gaschurn sits under the Versettla gondola—the gateway to the Nova side of Silvretta Montafon and the long, sunny pistes that sweep toward the Bielerhöhe skyline. In summer, it’s a gentle base for lake dips (Mountain Beach) and flower-studded hikes.

Expect a slower rhythm: wooden balconies, dairy pastures, and a main street with gear shops and cozy restaurants. From here you can reach Partenen for the Silvretta Hochalpenstraße or, in winter, the Vermuntbahn + tunnel bus link to Bielerhöhe’s cross-country trails.

• Where to stay: Consider a self-catered chalet near the Versettla lift via VRBO Gaschurn, or check hotels close to the gondola on Hotels.com Gaschurn.
• Getting from Schruns to Gaschurn: Morning bus Line 85 downvalley (≈20–25 min; ~€4–6). Search regional buses on Omio (buses). Taxis take ≈15–20 min.

Day 3: Transfer to Gaschurn, Versettla lift, and Nova views

Morning: Check out in Schruns and catch Bus 85 to Gaschurn. Drop bags, then ride the Versettla Bahn to the Nova sector. In summer, stroll the easy panorama trails; in winter, this is wide-slope paradise with long red and blue runs.

Afternoon: Lunch on the terrace at Nova Stoba (well-known for generous portions—try the cheese dumplings, goulash, or a big salad if you’re mid-hike). If you want something lighter, Bella Nova nearby does quick pizza/pasta and great coffees for a mid-afternoon boost before the descent.

Evening: Back in the village, unwind in a spa or sauna. For dinner, opt for a Montafon-focused hotel stube—think roasted pork belly, seasonal mushrooms, and Sura Kees spreads. If you prefer something organic and vegetable-forward, the restaurant at a local bio-hotel in the center is a fine pick; end with a fruit brandy (Marille or Williams) at the bar.

Day 4: Silvretta Hochalpenstraße to Bielerhöhe (seasonal), or winter Bielerhöhe via tunnel bus

Morning: Aim for blue-sky views. Summer/fall (typically late Jun–early Oct): take the Silvretta Hochalpenstraße from Partenen up to the Bielerhöhe (2,032 m). By car, the toll is roughly €17–20; allow 40–50 minutes with photo stops. Without a car, use the regional bus from Gaschurn/Partenen (check schedules on Omio buses). Winter: ride the Vermuntbahn from Partenen and transfer to the tunnel bus for a unique under-mountain journey to Bielerhöhe.

Afternoon: Circle Silvrettasee on an easy lakeside trail (summer), or rent classic/nordic gear for cross-country skiing on the high plateau (winter). For lunch, head into the Silvrettahaus (summer season) for soups and Tyrolean-style gröstl; in winter, the Madlenerhaus typically provides the hearty, hut-style meals ski tourers crave.

Evening: Return to Gaschurn for a relaxed dinner. Order keesknöpfle with crispy onions and a green salad, or a trout fillet if offered—fresh, simple, satisfying. For a cozy nightcap, try a local wheat beer or herbal tea; the stars shine brightly up-valley on clear nights.

Day 5: Easy alpine morning and departure

Morning: Keep it mellow before your afternoon departure. If lifts are running, ride once more for a short scenic walk above tree line; otherwise, stroll the village path along the Ill river. Families in summer can pop to Mountain Beach (Gaschurn-Partenen) for a quick lake dip and sunbathing.

Afternoon: Head to Schruns and on to Bludenz by bus/train for your onward journey. Trains to Zurich, Innsbruck, and Munich run throughout the day—compare options on Omio (trains). If you’re flying this evening, check flight combinations on Omio (flights) and allow buffer time for airport transfers.

Evening: If you have a late departure, squeeze in an early dinner—one more plate of schnitzel or a bowl of clear beef soup with pancake strips (Frittatensuppe)—and a final espresso. Bid the Silvretta peaks a slow goodbye from the bus window.

Extra ideas and local gems

• Kristberg & Silbertal: Ride the Kristbergbahn for a gentler, history-rich day. Walk the mining theme trail and lunch at Panoramagasthof Kristberg—famous for Sura Kees spreads and homemade cakes.
• Gauertaler AlpkulTour: A culture-and-nature loop above Tschagguns dotted with alpine-art installations and old huts, ideal for curious hikers.
• Golm via ferrata: Guided via ferrata routes near Latschau for adventurous beginners and intermediates; book locally in Schruns/Tschagguns.
• Food to try: Keesknöpfle, Riebel, game in autumn, Kaiserschmarrn, and hearty hut dumpling soups. Mountain restaurants like Kapellrestaurant (Hochjoch) and Nova Stoba (Nova sector) are reliable for views + classics.

Approximate costs and tips: Summer lift up/down €30–40; Silvretta Montafon ski day pass often €64–75 adult (season-dependent); Golm activities individually priced. Buses along the valley are inexpensive; a regional guest card from your accommodation may include discounts. Always check lift and road opening statuses the day before.

From ridge walks above Hochjoch to the dreamlike waters of Silvrettasee, this five-day Montafon itinerary balances adventure with slow alpine living. Between Schruns and Gaschurn, you’ll taste the valley’s kitchens, ride marquee lifts, and come home with mountain air still in your lungs.