TouringTip | Three days in the Silvretta

We decided to start our tour in Wirl near Galtür, then climbed the Rauen Kopf (3101 m) and descended to the Wiesbadener Hütte (2443 m). The next day we went up the Großer Piz Buin (3312 m) and back to the hut. On the last day we climbed the Dreiländerspitze (3197 m), then through the Ochsenscharte and through the Jamtal back to Galtür. I would like to say in advance that we did not stand by the summit cross of the Dreiländerspitze. Due to fresh snow, it was too risky for us, despite being roped in.

Wirl - Bieler Höhe - Rauer Kopf (3101 m)

From Wirl, you follow the Silvretta High Alpine Road for around 7 km. You only gain a little height here. As the water level of the Silvretta reservoir is constantly changing during the winter, you should not cross the lake. There is a tunnel along the western side, which is intended for ski tourers.

Before reaching the Bieler Höhe, we turned south into the rather narrow Bieltal valley. The entrance to the valley in particular is narrow and therefore not necessarily obvious at first glance. The Haagspitze lies slightly to the left of the valley's longitudinal axis. From the end of the valley, the route continues in hairpin bends up to the Bieltaljoch (2272 m). The Raue Kopf is the closest summit to the south of the Haagspitze. From the saddle, continue in a southeasterly direction until you are below the summit, which is now close enough to touch. Make a ski depot a little to the right below the summit. The following climb to the summit is easy and can be completed in around a quarter of an hour.

From the ski depot, head NW into the basin that leads into the Ochsental valley. As soon as it flattens out, turn left and, with a few sticks, you will come out above the Wiesbadener Hütte. Now all that separates you from the hut is a short, steep slope.

Information

Altitude metres uphill | downhill: 1450 m | 650 m
Distance: 15.5 km
Duration: 6.5 hours
Incline: up to 35°

Afterwards you quickly reach the foothills of the Ochsental Glacier. Go onto the glacier on the far right edge. Although the start here is also almost 40° steep, there is no way further left at the top. It is advisable to stay under the rocks on the far right and head for the Buinlücke on the left in an arc over the increasingly flatter ice. From there, you can either go directly on foot or ski a few more vertical meters on very steep terrain. The climb to the summit of Piz Buin is more difficult in the lower section. At the top, however, the terrain becomes much easier again. It takes about half an hour to reach the highest peak in Vorarlberg. By the way - in case you don't know - Buin means ox.

The descent basically follows the ascent route. At the top of the glacier, you can choose to turn right on the flat slope. Before it gets steeper, however, you should turn left back towards the ascent track.

Information

Altitude metres uphill | downhill: 1050 m
Distance: 8.5 km
Duration: 4.5 hours
Incline: up to 40°

Treiländerspitze (3197 m)

From the hut, the route initially takes a relaxed ascent below the Vermuntkopf in a southerly direction. At around 2800 m, you reach the Vermunt Glacier. Straight ahead, the Dreiländerspitze is enthroned at the point where Vorarlberg, Graubünden and Tyrol meet. The glacier becomes steeper and steeper. Below the rocky outcrop, you then cross onto the west ridge. The first section was easy with crampons. However, the last section of climbing was too risky for us, despite rope protection, due to fresh snow on slopy stone slabs.

On the descent of the initially very steep summit slope, turn right to the upper Ochsenscharte (2955 m). A mighty cornice can form in the saddle. For us, the cornice was not too big to get into the Jamtal valley.

Information

Altitude difference uphill | downhill: 800 hm | 1600 hm
Distance: 17.5 km
Duration: 05 hours
Incline: up to 45 °
Map material: DAV Alpine Club Map 26: Silvretta Group 1:25 000
Equipment: Multi-day ski tour, therefore complete glacier equipment with rope, ice screws, cords, crampons and ice axe, as well as climbing gear
How to get there: By public transport: There is a bus from Landeck-Zams to Galtür Wirl/Birkenbahn. Whether you are coming from Feldkirch or Innsbruck, you can get to Landeck-Zams very quickly by train. The journey from Innsbruck, for example, takes a total of 2 h 6 min. By car you would be approx. 20 min faster.

By car: From the north and east, simply drive to the last corner of the Paznaun Valley. There is a parking lot at the Birkenbahn in Wirl. This is where the Silvrettahochalpenstraße normally starts, but it is closed in winter. From the Montafon you can drive to Partenen. From there you can take the Vermuntbahn and the tunnel cab to the Bieler Höhe. This saves you the first few meters in altitude to the Rauen Kopf. The price is €34.50.

Note: The PG touring tips are general descriptions of tours that we like subjectively. Our tour tips do NOT refer to the CURRENT CONDITIONS. Read the situation report and the weather forecast and plan your tour accordingly.