Camping in Montafon

As an unspoilt 39 km long valley in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, the Montafon boasts a spectacular Alpine landscape. The region is a first-class choice for camping in the mountains with well-maintained and signposted hiking trails. There are excellent opportunities for camping with a caravan or motorhome as well as with a tent in the beautiful valley and on numerous mountain pastures.

Special features of camping in the Montafon

The force of nature shows its most sublime side in the Montafon valley between the Rätikon in the west and the Verwall group in the east, creating 17 mountains over 3,000 metres high in prehistoric times. This provides excellent conditions for hiking, mountain biking and skiing all year round. Numerous ski resorts, some with enormous expanses, turn your stay during the coldest season into a winter wonderland. The different locations of the campsites in the Montafon provide the right conditions for nature lovers, depending on their preferences. While a large number of the available facilities are located in the flat main valley and are suitable for different types of holiday, the region also offers campsites in the mountains.

How to get there

The recommended destination is the picturesque municipality of Schruns in the district of Bludenz, the capital of the Montafon. All side valleys are easily accessible from here. Coming from Munich or Nuremberg, we recommend the beautiful 233 km route via the Alpine state of Tyrol, which offers magnificent views of the Alpine scenery. Campers take the A95 motorway towards Garmisch-Partenkirchen, then change to the B23 and cross the border into Austria. From the Alpine republic, the road continues as the B187. Halfway along the route near Ehrwald, we recommend stopping off at the Golfino restaurant. The rest of the route runs via Imst, Landeck, St. Anton am Arlberg and St. Anton im Montafon to Schruns.

The route via Lindau is suitable for the descent from the rest of Germany. From Lindau it is 80 kilometres and leads along the A96, A14 and B188 motorways via Bregenz, Feldkirch and Bludenz to Schruns. Vignettes are compulsory on Austria's motorways. Daily vignettes are available at petrol stations at the border.

Destinations in the Montafon

The region in Austria's westernmost province is a never-ending source of spectacular destinations all year round, whatever the weather.

Silvretta

The Silvretta mountain range is characterised by high alpine landscapes and several glaciers. The part on the Austrian side is particularly well developed and there are Alpine Club huts everywhere. Peaks such as the Gargellner Köpfe with its 360° panoramic view of the Silvretta, the Arlberg and the Rätikon or the Piz Buin, which is popular with mountaineers and the highest mountain in Vorarlberg at 3,312 m, are just two of the stone highlights of the Silvretta mountains. In the cold season, Silvretta Montafon caters to international guests as one of the ten largest winter sports areas in Austria. 140 km of pistes, ski schools, shops, restaurants and mountain huts epitomise the alpine hut dream.

The Verwall European nature reserve

Pleasant hiking trails and special ecological conditions characterise the 120 km² Verwall nature reserve, which forms the transition from the central to the peripheral Alps. Correspondingly special conditions can be found in the type of precipitation and the rock underground. In the Verwall, plants and habitats are closely interwoven and dependent on each other, whereas elsewhere they are strictly separated. Large Swiss stone pine and larch forests, lakes, rivers, moors, rugged rocks and rare plants such as alpine roses and edelweiss can be marvelled at here.

Top 5 sights

• Muntanella Stöbli: Barley juice lovers will find over 9,000 beer bottles from all over the world here. The smallest beer bottle in the world is also part of the collection.
• Europatreppe 4000: Europe's longest straight staircase with around 4,000 steps leads up 700 metres in altitude near Partenen.
• Lünersee: The 800 metres of altitude difference to the 1970 m high Lünersee can be conquered on foot or by cable car. Guests are rewarded with a fantastic panorama and hiking opportunities.
• Silbertal parish church: The Catholic church impresses with its beautiful carvings and marvellous ornaments.
• Montafon Local History Museum: The time-honoured building in Schruns houses a wide variety of objects from past centuries with a clear connection to the Montafon.

Top 2 insider tips

• Alpenbad Montafon: The 30,000 square metre adventure pool in Schruns boasts an outdoor pool and a natural bathing pond with diving rocks, sports pool and beach area. The natural bathing pond is fed with fresh water from an Alpine spring and ensures swimming fun in clean water. A current channel, water fountains, bubble zone, beach volleyball court, beach chairs and a restaurant are also part of the leisure pool.
• Horse riding: Riding lessons and rides are available at the Mateera riding stable in Gargellen. The offer is aimed at all age groups and beginners are also well looked after. The tame Haflinger mares are particularly suitable for children, and extensive tours across alpine pastures and flowering meadows guarantee an unforgettable holiday.

Activities and excursions

Pure nature is at the top of the list in the Montafon. No wonder with the unique mountain and plant world of this well-hidden holiday destination.

Water sports for the whole family at the Mountain Beach Leisure Park

The Mountain Beach Leisure Park in Gaschurn offers exciting, lively and, above all, multi-faceted activities for young and old - with a special focus on children. The 27,000 square metre area of the nature adventure park uses crystal-clear mountain spring water with the aim of revitalising the body's energies. Austria's first air mattress rafting course is just as much a part of the offer as wooden jump towers, water slides, small cable cars, quiet zones and a restaurant.

Gauertal AlpkulTour

The artistically staged themed trail with 13 intermediate stops surprises with unusual objects created by artist Roland Haas during the hike. There is a lot to learn about the history of the Montafon at the intermediate stops. The trail is 6.6 kilometres long in total, and you can sample sour cheese and other traditional products such as smoked bacon at the Latschätzalpe.

Events

Unforgettable events steeped in tradition are an annual fixture in many Montafon communities.

January - March

• Night tobogganing: Sledging fun in the dark takes place regularly in Silvretta Montafon. The well-secured route leads from Garfrescha to St. Gallenkirch, and the sledges required can be hired on site.

March

• Burning of sparks: The end of winter is celebrated in many villages with the burning of the spark over mulled wine and bratwurst. This pagan tradition has been practised throughout the Alps since time immemorial.

June

• Montafon-Arlberg Marathon: From St. Anton to Silbertal, the mountain marathon leads through incredibly scenic landscapes. Over 42 kilometres, participants pass torrents, lakes and mountain herb meadows. With an altitude difference of 1,600 metres, the Montafon-Arlberg Marathon is a gruelling spectacle.

August - September

• Montafon Resonances: Well-known musicians and bands entertain the audience in front of a fantastic backdrop. Blossoming mountain slopes, lake landscapes and old mountain chapels are popular venues for concerts.

December

• Montafon World Cup: Snowboard and FIS Ski World Cup meets open air with famous acts. The winter sports elite in cross-skiing and snowboarding compete against each other in front of an enthusiastic audience. In the evening, it's party time with live bands, drinks and good food.

Gastronomy

As in Vorarlberg as a whole, traditional Montafon dishes are part of Alemannic cuisine and are characterised by the use of regional, often hearty ingredients. No wonder, as for centuries it was important to survive the often harsh winters. A creamy barley soup or hearty cheese spaetzle with savoury sour cheese and roasted onions are typical winter dishes. What could be better after a long day of skiing? Lighter summer dishes such as braised shoulder of lamb, salads in all variations or typical autumn specialities such as venison pepper and saddle of venison are also exquisite Montafon classics. Sweet sins in the form of Kaiserschmarrn or blueberry strudel, on the other hand, enjoy great popularity all year round and completely elevate the senses to new realms of pleasure.

Best time to travel

There is no best time to go camping in the Montafon, because depending on your plans, there are fantastic conditions all year round. The main seasons are the winter season from the end of November to mid-March and the summer season from the beginning of June to September. The two low seasons from mid-March to the end of April and the end of September to the end of November promise slightly lower prices for various offers. July and August are the hottest months, but refreshment is guaranteed at high altitudes or near a lake. Winters can be icy cold and bring metres of snow. Good clothing and equipment are recommended.