Tafamunter Augstenberg

The Tavamunter Augstenberg stands in the Verwall range above the Montafon valley in Vorarlberg. It reaches 2 489 metres and overlooks the Valschavieltal to the south. The nearby Versalspitze at 2 462 metres forms a striking pair of summits at the western end of the Valschavielkamm. Below them lies the abandoned Versailhaus, built in 1931 as a refuge hut and now a relic of earlier climbs.

The mountain is climbed for its wide views and modest challenge. Walkers leave the Heilbronner Hütte, cross the Verbelaalpe, and reach the summit in two to three hours. A longer route starts in Partenen, takes the Tafamuntbahn lift, passes the Versailhaus, and gains the peak in four to five hours. The Versalspitze is only half an hour away from the Augstenberg along the ridge.

On the slopes grow alpine plants recorded in Vorarlberg’s biotope inventory. The name Augsten points to the short August window when slopes could be mown or grazed. The mountain’s quiet ridges and the stone walls of the old Versailhaus tell of a time when the high pastures were busier than today.