The Montafon
AMRAI's Beloved Hemat
White fleecy clouds against an azure sky and blissful tranquility—until you’re completely dazed. AMRAI’s beloved Hemat, nestled amid its unique natural landscape, offers places of power for those seeking peace and varied playgrounds for adventurers of all ages.
Let yourself be drawn by countless hiking opportunities between the Rätikon, Silvretta, and Verwall mountain ranges to enchanted, secluded spots and playful stone sheep hopping across colorful mountain flower meadows.
Or perhaps you’d rather zoom down endless slopes or untouched ski trails through the majestic mountain landscape of the Silvretta-Montafon, Golm, and Gargellen ski areas in winter?
The Montafon invites you to get active—whatever suits your taste.
Ski Shuttle
With AMRAI’s free ski shuttle, your day on the slopes starts right in the valley. You’ll go straight from your hotel bed to the Hochjoch and Zamang ski lifts. No lugging gear, no parking hassles. And after your last run, AMRAI will take you back to your warm and cozy home in comfort. Just hop on and zoom off.
Hiking Shuttle
This is where your mountain adventure begins. With AMRAI’s free hiking shuttle, your hike starts right at your hotel’s doorstep. Let us take you comfortably to the Bartholomäberg or Latschau hiking parking lots, and from there, explore the most beautiful trails around AMRAI.
Active in the Montafon
In the Montafon, being active is second nature. Right on AMRAI’s doorstep, a unique natural landscape unfolds, enticing you outdoors with countless possibilities. How about a morning stroll along the Litz River, a coffee on AMRAI’s terrace to refuel, and then a hike, step by step, higher up toward the peaks of the mountain giants? Whether you prefer leisurely routes through the countryside or more challenging tours with sweeping views, you’re sure to find your favorite trail here.
The region also offers plenty of variety on two wheels. Gentle e-bike routes, athletic mountain bike tours, and varied trails make the Montafon the ideal starting point for short and long rides. Whiz past amazed stone sheep or seek out even more of a challenge on via ferrata routes and rocky terrain that demand concentration and sure footing. And in winter? The scenery changes, but the urge to be active remains the same. Then the slopes become soft playgrounds, and the landscape transforms into a sprawling ski area with runs, trails, and quiet moments in the snow.
Whenever you visit, AMRAI’s Hemat offers you space to be active, take a deep breath, and consciously experience the unique nature of the Montafon. See for yourself!
AMRAIs Lieblingsplätze
Rellseck Chapel
Hike: approx. 1:30h; Difficulty: Level 2-3
Tip: At the beginning and end of your hike, you’ll have the chance to visit the oldest and most impressive church on Bartholomäberg.
Wow! Look, there’s a rope team with our AMRAI in tow, coming up the road from the Bartholomäberg Church. Aren’t the Montafon stone sheep sure-footed? Why on earth did they rope up? The destination is just the Rellseck Chapel. Although the hiking guide says you should be sure-footed for this varied hike, there was no mention of roping up. Presumably, the sheep just wanted to strut their stuff for a change and scramble up and down the Montafon mountains like real climbers. With their heads held high, they’re now strutting along the trail, showing off their fancy, colorful ropes as if on a runway. And our AMRAI has to keep clipping the carabiners open and closed because the sheep love hearing the clicking sound so much. Well, if that’s all it takes.....
In any case, the rope team is heading uphill on a trail that climbs steeply and actually requires sure-footedness. The Rellseck Chapel is located at an altitude of about 1,500 meters and sits in the middle of a small plateau, set against an imposing mountain backdrop with a breathtaking view of the Rätikon range—including the Three Towers—and the Zimba, also known as the Montafon Matterhorn. Taking a leisurely break on a bench is highly recommended. Thanks to its unique location, it ranks among the most beautiful viewpoints in the Montafon. No sooner has the hiking group arrived than the chapel bell begins to ring, as if to welcome them. AMRAI and the sheep come to a halt and let this special idyll wash over them. Green mountain meadows, framed by dark-green mountain pine slopes, forests, and peaks that are often still white in early summer. On colorful mountain meadows, red alpine roses, rich yellow troll flowers, and purplish-red lily blossoms shine brightly. Alpine bliss. When AMRAI wants to enjoy this picturesque scene all to herself, she sets out early in the morning, at the break of dawn. Sometimes she combines a visit to the Rellseck Chapel with a tour of the Baroque parish and pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomew, which is one of the most beautiful churches in the valley. The church is located right at the end of the hike and was also the starting point in Bartholomäberg.
Whoa! Now a mountain sheep has broken free from the rope team and is doing wild leaps and somersaults on the big, green meadow mat.
Hay barn with Henzastäcka
Hike: approx. 0:30h Difficulty Level 2
Tip: Bring binoculars; from the barn, continue on across the Montjola and then back to Schruns via the Bergknappenweg—duration approx. 45 minutes.
Not far from the Brox Villa, a short walk into the Gaueser Forest, lies this very special favorite spot of our AMRAI: The sleeping quarters of the Montafon stone sheep, a traditional Montafon barn whose upper outer wall is lined with “Henzastäcka.” Aha. So this is where they slumber and doze—the stone sheep that AMRAI loves so much. Very pretty. I wonder if the little sheep count themselves to fall asleep faster? These days, these hay huts are only found here and there. There, the sheep are safe from wolves, golden eagles, and poachers. The hay that was mowed in the summer is stored in the upper part of the barn. Mowing the mountain slopes remains a laborious task: Because they’re so steep, all mowing equipment fails, and you still have to mow with a scythe, just like in the old days. However, the grass is not allowed into the cozy upper room of the barn until it has spent some time on the “Henzastäcka” after mowing and has shaken off all its moisture. A “Henzastäcka” is a small, lightweight wooden frame used to hang the freshly mowed grass to dry. A grass hanger, so to speak. AMRAI loves this place because this is the traditional Montafon way of turning grass into hay—without any roaring combine harvesters, done the old-fashioned way and with our own two hands. And this hay is the absolute favorite food of the Montafon stone sheep. They sniff their way into the enticingly fragrant hay, feast until they’re full, and then happily rub their bellies.
Aquaweg to Bitschweil
Hike: approx. 1:30h from Latschau Difficulty Level 1
Tip: About 1½ hours by e-bike from AMRAI
Let the water flow! And we’re off! Today, AMRAI takes you on the Aquaweg. It’s an interesting themed trail where you’ll learn at several stops that the reservoirs in the Montafon are well-filled—which is a blessing for hydroelectric power generation. And maybe that’s also why the people of Montafon are always in such a good mood. The glass is half full, not half empty—you know the saying. Discover water—our elixir of life—at the village fountain in Tschagguns, search for a hidden sulfur spring, and listen to the roar of untamed mountain streams; the small and large reservoirs, on the other hand, are a bit calmer. The Aquaweg is marked with information signs that will quench your thirst for knowledge. Be as excited as a water balloon ready to burst to discover the interesting stories the Aquaweg has in store for you. World-class panoramic views are the icing on the cake.
The starting point for the hike is Latschau. Follow the signpost toward Bitschweil; the trail leads you for a short distance toward Gauertal. After a brief ascent, a small bridge crosses the Golmerbach. Then you’ll pass the water-powered sawmill owned by “Mülli Ferdi” and, passing by the Rasafeibach and Ziegerberg, continue past the sulfur and leather springs to the Bitschweil Reservoir. Here you can take a break at the “Jausenstation Bitschweil.” Enjoy a delicious snack while soaking up the warm sunshine and taking in the magnificent view of this beautiful spot. Now it’s just a short hop up the slope, and you’ll have reached the old schoolhouse. Although you can’t go inside, it’s still worth taking a peek through the windows: This building once housed a “one-room schoolhouse,” where students from eight different grades were taught together. Good grief! Head back along the same path until you reach the trail junction Schluchtweg. From there, follow the signpost back toward Latschau. Are those mountain sheep strolling so leisurely along the path? You bet! Totally exhausted! What a refreshing swim that would be in the Latschau Reservoir. By the way, here you can check out how hydroelectric power is generated in the “Vorarlberger Illwerke” exhibition hall. Near the reservoir, you’ll also find the “Alpine Coaster Golm” and the “Waldseilpark Golm” with the Flying Fox. Be sure to watch out for the Flying Sheep.
