The best hikes with a dog
3 hiking tips for you and your four-legged friend in the Silvretta Montafon
First of all, one important thing: your four-legged friend travels for FREE on the cable cars throughout the Montafon. Whether in Brandnertal, Golm or Gargellen, you pay nothing extra for your dog. Muzzles are generally compulsory for your dog on the cable cars. Especially in the large gondola lifts, where there is space for up to 60 people and you stand close together, I would definitely recommend a muzzle! It keeps you and your dog safe.
I regularly take my Irish Setter Bali, 4 years old, to the Silvretta Montafon as we live here. This means that Bali is used to going on longer tours and is also a master climber, which in turn means that our tours can also be a bit more challenging. Here are three hikes from easy to difficult. Bali has a shoulder height of 62 cm and is relatively tall for his breed, so you may be able to judge a little better whether it is feasible for you and your dog.
1. Peak Adventure Zamang - Kreuzjoch - Wormser Hütte - Grasjoch Hütte
Starting point: Grasjoch cable car mountain station Distance: 7.5km Elevation gain: 520m Duration: 4-5 hours Difficulty: medium
You won't find a detailed description of this tour, as I came up with the circular route myself. But you can find an overview of possible routes to the Zamangspitze here:
https://www.silvretta-montafon.at/de/sommer/sommeraktivitaeten/wandern/panoramaweg-zamang
As the description says, you have a spectacular panoramic view from the highest point of the Silvretta Montafon. On this tour, you can also conquer two additional peaks! I started at the top station of the Grasjoch cable car. Behind the building, turn left to the first summit --> Zamangspitze! There are some very narrow paths on the slope, so you should definitely be free from giddiness. There are always a few steep climbs here, but there are also some phases to "relax". After approx. 1 hour +/- you reach the summit of the Zamangspitze and have a wonderful panoramic view from the 2387m high peak. The path to the summit is no problem for large dogs, but you may need to take a big step now and then. You then descend back onto the panoramic trail and continue along a ridge that offers breathtaking views time and again. You should definitely be sure-footed and have a head for heights here. It is then relatively easy to reach the Kreuzjoch, as you walk directly towards it and are already at the height of the Kreuzjoch summit the whole time. You descend here behind the summit, where you have to "climb" a little. Alternatively, you can skip the Kreuzjoch and take the direct route to the Wormser Hütte (follow the signs). Here you and your dog have earned a break. You now have two options on the way back: either you climb up to the Hochalpila cable car and ride back to the Grasjoch cable car and from there down into the valley. Or you can walk down to the Grasjoch Bahn, the path is easy and has many water points.
What makes this hike so great with a dog? It's relatively easy to reach two peaks with your dog, which is often not that easy! And it's simply an incredibly
beautiful panoramic tour.
2. Madrisella peak trail over Ganeratal (optional)
Duration: 4-5 hours Difficulty: easy - difficult (various options)
You can find a detailed tour description here: https://www.silvretta-montafon.at/de/sommer/sommeraktivitaeten/wandern/madrisella-gipfelweg
Certainly one of the most popular tours in the area, so you can expect to meet a few people here. I prefer to do the tour in autumn, as the colors are unbelievably beautiful and the closer you get to Madrisella, the more nature changes. The tour is relatively easy to walk, it's just long, but there are no particularly difficult sections. I've already walked the tour in different variations and I liked the way back via the Ganera Valley best, which is also simply beautiful! There are always great places to stop for a break and there are always water points for your dog.
One more important thing for all dog owners: I've spotted the odd adder on this tour! They are harmless for us humans, but dangerous for our four-legged friends, so keep your eyes open. They usually lie on stones and sunbathe. So keep an eye on where your dog's nose is.
3. Alpgues circular trail
Starting point: Grasjoch cable car mountain station Distance: 10km Elevation gain: 705m Duration: 4-5 hours Difficulty: medium
You can find a detailed tour description at: https://www.silvretta-montafon.at/de/sommer/sommeraktivitaeten/wandern/alpgues-rundweg
One of my absolute favorite hikes in the Silvretta Montafon. The panorama is truly fantastic and a new natural spectacle opens up in front of you every time! Most of the hike takes you through the Verwall European nature reserve, which in turn means that leashes are compulsory on this hike. At the start of the hike, you should also be free from giddiness and your dog should already have some experience of walking on narrow paths on a slope. If you start early in the morning (which I would definitely recommend on a hot summer's day), you will first walk in the shade. An unbelievably beautiful mountain panorama awaits you at the Roßbergjoch and the first cooling off at the upper Alpguessee is also in sight. There is no running water from the Grasjoch cable car to the Roßbergjoch, but from there on there is plenty. You should therefore pack water for you and your dog. The descent to the Alpguesalpe is via the lower and most beautiful of the two alpine lakes and is absolutely refreshing for your feet and your dog. After the Alpguesalpe, there is another long and tough ascent back to the Grasjoch cable car/hut. You will be walking in the blazing sun the whole time here, so make sure you pack sun protection and fill up your water bottles again. After a good 4-5 hours (pure walking time) you will be back at your starting point.
What makes this hike so beautiful with a dog? I like walking it so much because you meet so few people here and are completely on your own and with your dog. There are always beautiful places to linger and, with the two lakes, also a place to cool off.
