Smuggler tour (2 days) Switzerland/Austria

In a wonderful landscape, you can explore the world of smugglers. The two-day mountain hike around the Madrisa is an exciting discovery journey on this and the other side of the Swiss-Austrian border. Hiking takes place on historic paths at altitudes between 1,900 and 2,600 m. A GPS device accompanies you and shows you the secrets of the smugglers, the so-called "coffee holes". For centuries, there has been active trade between the Montafon and Prättigau valleys. Due to the border, the trade became illegal. Today the path across the border is freely passable and offers unique natural experiences and exciting stories.

At the starting point at the Madrisa cable car in Klosters, you receive a GPS device and all the information about your smuggler tour. This also includes the coordinates for the first hiding place. Along the route, you have to find 12 smuggler depots. All depots contain interesting facts about the world of smugglers and a puzzle, with whose solution you find the next hiding place on your route. A former customs hut at the border serves as a shelter, where you learn interesting facts about smuggling as well as details about famous smugglers on both sides of the border. 

You spend the afternoon and evening at the Schafberg Hüsli. The booked package includes overnight accommodation and a hearty dinner as well as a large breakfast for an optimal start to the second smuggler day. 

After completing your hike, you return the GPS device at the valley station of the cable car. There, a reward awaits you for successfully completing the smuggler tour.

Detailed information about the smuggler tour can be found at: www.schmugglerland.com

The described hike is a bookable offer and largely corresponds to the classic Madrisa circular route. You can optionally start and book in Montafon or in Prättigau:

Klosters Madrisa Bergbahnen
www.madrisa.ch / Tel. +41 81 410 21 70

Bergbahnen Gargellen
www.bergbahnen-gargellen.at / Tel. +43 5557 63 10

Day 1: From the Saaser Alp, we effortlessly hike on a scenic high trail over the Zügenhüttli to the Älpli and over Schwarz Bach to the Schlappiner Joch. After about 2 hours we reach the Schlappiner Joch and then cross the border. We continue descending through the idyllic Valzifenztal. We hike past the Obere Valzifenzalpe, Valzifenzalpe, and Madrisahütte. From the Madrisahütte, we continue descending along the Valzifenzbach and reach the valley station of the Bergbahnen Gargellen after about 35 minutes. The last altitude meters are covered by the Bergbahnen Gargellen cable cars.

Day 2: The tour starts at the Schafberg Hüsli mountain restaurant in Gargellen. From here, follow the signs to the Gafierjoch (about 1 hour). The hike leads us along the foothills of the Gargellner Köpfe, past the Schafbergsee (reservoir), until we reach the Gafierjoch after about half an hour and cross the border into Switzerland. At the Gafierjoch, we first turn right and then go down a short, steep section before starting the ascent towards the Rätschenjoch. From the Gafierjoch, you reach the Rätschenjoch in about 1.5 hours. The highest point of the tour is reached at the Rätschenjoch, offering a view of the Bernina group, the Rätikon, and the Silvretta. Next, we reach the high valley Chüecalanda and cross the green ridges of Glatteggen to reach Obersäss. In Obersäss, we find a scenic resting place. We continue descending, reaching Untersäss and then the mountain station Madrisabahn at the Saaser Alp.