Silvretta-Bielerhöhe High-Level Trail

Winter walking at 2,000 m: a groomed high-level trail above the Silvretta reservoir – 3.5 km, a good hour facing Piz Buin, up by cable car and tunnel bus.

easy winter · 12-3 👨‍👩‍👧 Family friendly 🐕 Dogs allowed

Elevation profile↗ 77 m ↘ 76 m

The Bielerhöhe (2,037 m) is the pass between the Montafon and the Paznaun, in winter a silent white plateau around the frozen Silvretta reservoir, dammed for the Illwerke between 1938 and 1943. The high-level trail is one of the three secured winter trails up there: a groomed loop from the Berggasthof Piz Buin, where the tunnel bus turns round, first west to the Barbara chapel, then in a wide arc across the high plateau above the lake and back. 3.45 km, 77 m of ascent, about 1 hour 10 minutes between 2,001 and 2,057 m, easy – and yet high alpine: before you stand Piz Buin (3,312 m) and the glaciers of the Silvretta, around you ski tourers and cross-country skiers. German family blogs report that the marked trails can be walked without snowshoes and that even a pushchair copes.

The Silvretta High Alpine Road is closed in winter; the only way up is from Partenen by the Vermunt cable car and the yellow tunnel bus through the mountain – in winter 2026/27 from 25 December 2026 to 18 April 2027, 8 am–12 noon and 1–4 pm, last ride 4 pm. From our house take bus 650 to Partenen in about 20 minutes and allow about an hour in all to the Bielerhöhe; the Vermunt cable car car park is restricted by construction work in 2026. Refreshments at the Silvretta-Haus (winter 2026/27: 25 December 2026 to 18 April 2027), the Berggasthof Piz Buin (check winter opening with the operator) and the Madlenerhaus (staffed in winter 2026 from mid-January to mid-April; 2027 dates according to the hut).

🧭 Route description

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.

💡 Tips & refreshments

At 2,000 m it is much colder and windier than in the valley – warm clothing, hat, sunglasses, sun cream, sturdy winter boots. Check the avalanche bulletin (lawine-vorarlberg.at) and keep to the marked trails; the ice of the Silvretta reservoir is closed to all. Plan your return by 4 pm at the latest.

🚌 Getting there by public transport

Landbus 650 to Partenen, then Vermunt cable car + tunnel bus to the Bielerhöhe (summer 2026: 20 June–4 Oct, uphill 8–12 and 13–16:30, last descent 17:00). Approx. 1 h in total from St. Gallenkirch.

🅿️ Parking

Note: the Silvretta High Alpine Road is closed on the Vorarlberg side after rockfalls, expected until 2030 – car access only from Tyrol (Galtür). The Vermunt cable car car park in Partenen is closed in 2026 for construction; use alternative parking in Partenen village.

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)