Winter walking trail Gantschier

Family loop from Gantschier church: 4.9 km via Kloster Gauenstein, the Litzpromenade and back along the Illweg – 130 m of ascent, an hour and a half, the Zimba in view.

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

Elevation profile↗ 130 m ↘ 130 m

Gantschier is the part of Bartholomäberg down in the valley, opposite Tschagguns and Vandans. From its church on the main road (643 m) this loop climbs the slope to Kloster Gauenstein – a Capuchin monastery from 1844 to 2021, now home to Poor Clare nuns – descends the Gauesweg to the Litzpromenade, reaches Tschagguns station and follows the Illweg along the Ill back to Gantschier. 4.9 km, 130 m of ascent, about an hour and a half; the state of Vorarlberg lists it as a moderate but in practice very easy winter trail. Along the way you have the Vandanser Steinwand and the Zimba, "Vorarlberg's Matterhorn", straight ahead of you.

According to state data, a good two thirds of the route is cleared and the rest follows village lanes, so the loop is almost always walkable and explicitly family-friendly. Refreshments in Gantschier, Tschagguns and Schruns. From our house it is 15 minutes by car; by public transport take bus 650 to Schruns and the Montafonerbahn one stop to Tschagguns – the station lies on the loop, so you can start there.

🧭 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

Doable with children, a pushchair with large wheels and dogs (on a lead); the short climb to the monastery is the only section that calls for spikes. Please keep quiet at the monastery – a religious community lives here.

🚌 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)