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Smugglers' trail

On old smugglers’ paths from Gargellen over the Schlappiner Joch to the Swiss border – history, boundary stones and Rätikon views.

moderate summer · 5-10 👨‍👩‍👧 Family friendly 🐕 Dogs allowed 🎫 Included with the Freizeit-WildPass

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Elevation profile↗ 615 m ↘ 615 m

For centuries Gargellen was a smugglers’ village: over the Schlappiner Joch (2,202 m) muleteers and smugglers carried coffee, tobacco and livestock back and forth between the Prättigau and the Montafon. The smugglers’ trail follows these traces – from the summit station of the Schafberg cable car or from the village up to the pass with its boundary stone, past old hiding places and back over the alp. Around 8.6 km, 600 m of ascent, about 4 hours; a moderate mountain path without technical difficulties.

Visitors from Switzerland and the UK describe the trail as “less crowded than expected” with superb views into both countries; boards and stories along the way tell of the smugglers. For more, do the Madrisa circuit or the two-day smugglers’ tour with an overnight stay in Klosters.

🧭 Route description

The route leads via Bergrestaurant Schafberg Hüsli, St. Antönier Joch, Gafierjoch and Speichersee Gargellen and back to the starting point.

The plotted track follows the marked trails according to OpenStreetMap; see the map, elevation profile and GPX file above. Please follow the signposting on site.

📍 Stages

  1. Start
  2. Bergrestaurant Schafberg Hüsli
  3. St. Antönier Joch
  4. Gafierjoch
  5. Speichersee Gargellen

💡 Tips & refreshments

Carry ID (border). For children there is the Schmugglerland with play stations lower down on the Schafberg.

🚌 Getting there by public transport

Landbus Montafon (lines 650/670/680) and Montafonerbahn Bludenz–Schruns; connections at vmobil.at.

🅿️ Parking

Please check parking at the starting point on site (hiking car parks are usually signposted).

Emergency: Alpine rescue 140 · Euro emergency 112 · Ambulance 144
All information without guarantee. Please check weather, opening hours and cable car operating times before setting off. Alpine tours require personal responsibility, suitable equipment and experience.

Last updated: 13 Sep 2026 · Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)

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