Family adventures in Silvretta Montafon
Time out surrounded by mountains, nature and action
Oh, how we love our Alps! We have travelled through many valleys in recent years – whether by car, camper van or bicycle – for hiking, skiing or biking. And yet, until now, we had only ever managed a short stopover in Silvretta Montafon, even though this enchanting valley is only about a two-hour drive from Kaufbeuren. But we have now changed that – and explored the summer mountain world both with our hiking boots and on our mountain bikes.
The market town of Schruns is affectionately known as the centre of the Montafon. The pretty Alpine village offers small shops – where you can find unique souvenirs, for example – as well as numerous restaurants, supermarkets and sports shops with equipment hire.
Just chilled.
Less is often more – that could be the concept behind St. Josefsheim in Schruns. The former hospital, where some of our loyal followers were born in the 1990s, has been redesigned with aesthetic appeal into a modern self-check-in hostel. It offers a variety of rooms – from double to eight-bed rooms – for families, friends or new acquaintances (if you only book one bed). For us, it's the perfect accommodation for the next four days, because this time we've brought the grandparents along too. Where else can you find an affordable family room for six?
The St. Josefsheim is located right next to the Hochjochbahn valley station, making it the ideal starting point for exploring the mountains. The bus also stops right outside the door, allowing for climate-friendly and flexible exploration of the valley.
Arrived, checked in, let it go.
We arrive at St. Josefsheim quite late, check in quickly and get our first impressions. It's perfect that there is a very good restaurant with a cosy Alpine parlour right next to the hostel – it even has a real gondola! The drizzle keeps us away from the beer garden, but it's all the more cosy inside. It's chanterelle season, and we don't need to be asked twice. The other dishes also sound so delicious that it's hard to choose.
After dinner, we take a short stroll through Schruns to aid digestion. Fortunately, the rain has stopped and we enjoy the fresh mountain air.
The mountains are calling.
The next morning, the sun keeps peeking out from behind the clouds. As the weather forecast for today is changeable, we decide to go on a rather short hike on the Nova. So we hop on the Versettla cable car, which takes us up to the mountain station at 2,010 metres.
Once at the top, the children discover the adventure playground around the Nova Stoba: there are marble runs, a cowbell game, a wooden cow for practising milking and various balancing games.
We explore the surroundings, climb a small ridge with a fantastic view over the valley – before fog rolls in and the mystical backdrop changes by the minute. So we head back to the Nova Stoba mountain hut and the delicious apricot dumplings on the daily menu. With our bellies full, we return to the playground before heading back down to the valley.
Our motocross professionals of tomorrow
On the way back, we make a quick stop at the Valisera cable car valley station – because there's a highlight waiting for the boys there. The newly created Silvretta Park Montafon is a real paradise for children. The pump, jump & ride area offers everything: trampoline jumping, pump track riding and even an e-trial course where kids can ride electric motocross bikes over various obstacles.
Of course, the 15 minutes pass far too quickly – and since then, the two of them have been pestering us about when we'll come back. To ease their disappointment a little, we unpack our own bikes and explore the pump track. Lo and behold – after the first lap, their sadness is forgotten for the time being.
After such an exciting day, it doesn't take much more. But of course, the children are happy to enjoy a delicious dinner at St. Josefsheim before going to bed.
Uphill to Downhill
Today is the day we have been looking forward to the most: downhill biking on the trails of the Hochjoch Trail Park!
So: protective gear on, helmets on, bikes in the gondola – and off we go. At an altitude of 1,850 metres, three trails (red and blue) start, winding their way through the forest below the cable car. It's about 5 kilometres and 500 metres of elevation downhill to the middle station.
The blue trail is especially suitable for children and beginners. Our older son (7 years old) masters it with ease. The younger one (5 years old) is a little cautious in some places and ends up off the trail twice. That's when you appreciate good protective gear – apart from a little shock, nothing happened.
The blue trail is really ideal for practising: nice and flowing, clear and really fun. Later, we adults whizzed down again on our own – true to the motto: ‘Brakes off, smile on.’
Currently (summer 2025), the entire area around the Kapellrestaurant is being renovated. As a temporary solution, there is the Hochjoch snack bar with several food trucks – the new restaurant is scheduled to be ready by winter.
Finding balance at 1,850 metres
Fortified with a delicious veggie burger from the food truck, we explore the adventure playground at Hochjoch. An obstacle course trains your balance, and there is also a guinea pig enclosure and a pasture with cows. The Kapellrundweg trail starts at the playground and has many varied stations for children.
Back in the valley, the sun is shining brightly once again. It's the perfect evening to inaugurate the beer garden at St. Josefsheim.
To Alpe Innerkapell
To round off our Silvretta adventure, today's programme includes a leisurely hike. The weather is at its best – pure sunshine!
We start at the Hochjochbahn mountain station and set off on a relaxed hike – mostly on a forest path that first leads through the ski area, then through a forest and across meadows. Again and again, wonderful views of the lovely Silbertal valley open up.
Along the way, we discover fascinating flora – with large ferns, ground cover plants, blooming mountain flowers and many insects. The yellow patches on our boys' rucksacks and caps are mistaken for flowers by butterflies and serve as a landing pad.
After about 3 kilometres and 1.5 hours, we reach the small Innerkapell alpine pasture. The active cheese dairy has already won several awards – of course, we try the famous ‘Sura Kees’ and enjoy the homemade delicacies.
Back over the ridge
You could return via the easy forest path, but we choose the route over the Sennigrat. And it's worth it! The landscape is breathtakingly beautiful: bright green slopes, small waterfalls and streams. Marmots, which have their burrows everywhere here, greet us loudly.
Once we reach the ridge, we are greeted by a magnificent panoramic view. The descent is via the Kapellrundwanderweg trail with several viewpoints and a small water path – ideal for children.
Back at the mountain station, our wonderful excursion to Silvretta Montafon comes to an end. But one thing is clear: we will be back in winter.
