Montafon

Montafon is a 39-kilometre valley in Vorarlberg, western Austria. The river Ill runs through it from Bludenz in the north to the Silvretta and Rätikon ranges in the south. Piz Buin, the highest peak in Vorarlberg, rises at 3,312 metres above the valley floor. Ten mountain villages make up the region, with Schruns as the main town. The valley sides are steep and the villages sit at heights from 583 to 1,100 metres. The road from Bludenz passes old cement works, the Alma woods and the Tränabächle before the valley opens near St Anton. The valley is known for skiing, hiking and mountain biking. Five ski areas share 225 kilometres of slopes served by sixty lifts. Summer visitors find 121 kilometres of cross-country ski trails turned into hiking routes and 33 kilometres of skating routes. Nine ski lifts operate in summer, giving quick access to alpine huts and protected trails. Two nine-hole golf courses sit at Tschagguns and Partenen. The Silvretta high alpine road leads to remote ski areas between 650 and 1,430 metres. Above Schruns lies Bartholomäberg, a mountain village with views over St Anton and the Silbertal valley. The Silbertal stretches south-east towards the Arlberg range, passing the Fellamendli outpost. At Partenen the road climbs to the Silvretta pass. Each autumn farmers bring cattle down from high pastures in decorated parades. The Montafoner Resonanzen festival in August and September offers concerts at unusual venues such as the Tübinger Hütte at 2,191 metres.