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Schruns via the Litzpromenade to Kloster Gauenstein

The short monastery loop: 3.2 km from Schruns' Kirchplatz along the Litz and up through the forest to Kloster Gauenstein – one hour, 83 m of ascent.

easy winter · 12-3 🐕 Dogs allowed

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Elevation profile↗ 83 m ↘ 83 m

This loop is the classic afternoon stroll from Schruns: 3.2 km, 83 m of ascent, about an hour. From the Kirchplatz you follow the Litzpromenade upstream, switch at "Auf der Litz" onto the Gauesweg and climb through the forest to Kloster Gauenstein, perched on a rocky knoll above the valley. For almost 180 years, from 1844 to 2021, Capuchin friars lived here; since 2022 it has been a convent of Poor Clares. The small pilgrimage church of Our Lady of Sorrows goes back to an early 18th-century hermitage. Via Broxweg and Montjolastraße you return to the Kirchplatz.

The route is listed in the state's winter trail network as a cleared path and is therefore almost always walkable, although the short forest climb can be icy. Refreshments in Schruns; the local history museum on the Kirchplatz is right at the start. From our house it is around 15 minutes on bus 650 or 13 minutes by car (paid parking at the Hochjoch Bahn).

🧭 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

Easily done with children; spikes or at least grippy soles for the forest climb. Please keep quiet at the monastery – a religious community lives here. Dogs on a lead.

🚌 Getting there by public transport

Montafonerbahn to Schruns station (every 30 min from Bludenz), Hochjoch cable car a 5-minute walk; Landbus 650 from St. Gallenkirch approx. 15 min.

🅿️ Parking

Parking at the Hochjoch cable car in Schruns is paid and limited; alternative free parking at the Zamang cable car.

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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