The Landscape path between Gaschurn, Partenen and Galtür offers a look at the area between Innerfratte and Paznaun. There are impressive views that have become the scene of historical facts. Striking modern developments show the potential for conflicts between various interest groups. A conscious look at natural and cultural values makes it an exciting encounter in the Montafon and Paznaun.   »

There was already a gothic chapel in Gaschurn during the late Middle Ages. The first church was built between 1631 and 1634. 200 years later it was pulled down and a new one was built. The new church was consecrated in 1869 by Bishop Franz Joseph Rudigier from Linz. Built during the age of historicism, quotes from medieval times are still visible today.  »

While during the Middle Ages, most trials were held outside, the coming of writing and the rise of the inquisition, the trials were gradually moved inside. In post middle age times, these wooden constructions that were open on all sides were used to dance on.   »

In comparison to the rest of Vorarlberg, tourism developed very early and intensively in the Montafon. Because of this rapid development the heritage protection society dedicated a museum to it in Gaschurn. The museum is in the Gaschurn Early Mass House which was built in the style of the old Walser Houses – predominantly out of wood.   »

Parts of the path from the Gampadel Valley that used to pass by this goat pen were washed away in the floods of 1966 and it can’t be used anymore. The danger of rock slides make it impossible to repair. Before WWII the goats kept the flora in check but today the rampant growing creepers are a botanical nuisance due to the comparatively small number of goats.   »

In the forests between Gaschurn and the May field, Aussertafamunt, the hiker comes across fragments of stone walls and a few derelict hay barns. The walls, or clearance cairns were used to mark property lines and on the other hand, together with the remains of the barns, show which fields were used for making hay.   »

A May field is a spatial and seasonal bridge between valley farming and alp farming. In May, or sometimes as late as June, the farmers brought the cattle up to the May field. While there were people on the Alps that worked, the work on the May field had to be done alone.   »

Before you reach the Innertafamunt May field, you have to cross a tree free forest aisle. In 1968 the Mottazug Avalance left distinct marks on the landscape. Construction of protection dams, re-foresting in the affected protection forest areas and avalanche constructions at the breaking off point of the avalanches followed.   »

Until the early 19th century, there is only one May field documented on the Tafamunt which ran from today’s Ausser– or outer –Tafamunt to the Innertafamunt and all the way to Lake Wiegen. Today, you can see how the mountain farms have lost their significance on the Tafamunt. In order to easily access the the Landscape path take the Tafamunt cable car. The Valley Station is in Partenen.   »

Halfway between the Innertafamunt and Lake Wiegen an unobtrusive bench marks this popular view point. From here you can see the Silvrettra Hochalpenstrasse the lower and Swiss Vermunt and behind it, the impressive Silvretta mountain range. You can get to the landscape path by a narrow path over the “Schrofa”. This path is only meant for practiced hikers that are not prone to giddiness.   »

Lake Wiegen is an impressive documentation of post ice age landscape development and present day natural space actualities. As a nutrient poor moor lake it shows a slow settlement of grasses including mud sedge and rannoch-rush.   »

The historical link between Partenen and Galtuer ran through the Outer and Inner Ganifer and ultimately over the Zeinisjoch. The way up over the Ganifer was steep and difficult, but it was also the shortest link to Paznaun.   »

The Verbella Valley is of equal importance in the realms of natural history and cultural history. The ruins of derelict hay barns as well as numerous cairns indicate the once intensive utilization of the land on the valley floor. Small technical installations in the Verballa Brook remind us of an important, present day user of the area.   »

The Grisons Archives document alpine pastures on Zeinis, in the Verbella Valley, on the Valluela and in Vermunt as early as the year 1089. Expansion of alpine agriculture probably only started once the people from Wallis started emigrating here. Alpine agriculture and cattle farming were important for survival in the Montafon up until the beginning of the 20th century.   »

Shortly before the hiker arrives at Zeinisjoch house, this small, picturesque lake will catch their attention. The origin of Lake Zeinis can be compared to that of Lake Wiegen. The siltation zone shows traces of the post ice-age elongation of the lake. To reach the landscape path you take the freight path over the Ganifer. The 2nd leg starts at the end of the valley in Partenen.   »

The Kops Reservoir lies at an altitude of 1,809 meters and has a user capacity of 42.9 million m³. Both of the Kops alps with the Ballunspitze and the neighbouring Valluella alps border the lake. A trail runs through the delightful landscape around the lake.   »

The history of this guest house is like a trip through time. It not only substantiates the importance of the old crossover into Paznaun but it also documents the everyday life, living conditions and economic developments of the Innerfratte.   »

From the 17th century, right up to the 19th century, many children between the ages of 10 and 16 had to go to Swabia to work. Even children from Paznaun spent their summers in Swabia. The tear filled, bitter good-byes usually took place on the Zeinisjoch.   »

The link over the Zeinisjoch has a history of more than 1,000 years. Traffic at this crossing wasn’t just limited to cattle drovers and armies. It was also an important passage for the transportation of salt from Hall in Tyrol. In addition, it served the tradesmen and craftsmen as the lowest connection between the Innerfratte and Paznaun.   »

When walking down from the Zeinisjoch to Galtuer, the hiker can see the vast valley floors and the fertile alluvial cone on the upper Paznaun Valley. The Paznaun Valley was an important connecting point between the Flüelapass, Schlappinerjoch, Fimberpass and the Zeinisjoch for thousands of years.   »

Before the arrival of the Walsers at the beginning of the 14th century, the cliffs and high valleys around Galtuer were cultural landscape. The Walsers settled here in the periodically flooded valley floor. For centuries, there were continuous showdowns between the farmers from Engadin and the newcomers. Traces of these showdowns can still be seen on the mountain fields in Partenen.   »