After spending the evening at Rosengartenschlucht Gorge and the village of Imst, we decided to drive a bit further to find suitable accommodation. We booked a stay in the village of Ischgl, known as a popular skiing resort but also infamous as a hotspot for the spread of the coronavirus in Europe.
Our accommodation was delightful, a cozy alpine hotel called Chalet Madlein. We arrived late at night, and the key was left for us at the reception. When we messaged the hotel beforehand asking if gluten-free breakfast was possible, the host replied that it would be unlikely given the short notice. However, the next morning, we were surprised to find fresh gluten-free bread, which the host joked about having baked throughout the night 😄 The host was incredibly friendly and humorous. Moreover, the breakfast was excellent and plentiful. We can definitely recommend this hotel for accommodation in Ischgl.
The rooms were spacious and clean, and the hotel even had a sauna. Parking was free, and the hotel was conveniently located right off the main road. Ischgl itself was quite quiet in mid-September, unlike the bustling atmosphere it likely has during the winter ski season. Many shops were under renovation, preparing for the upcoming season. The accommodation cost 80 € per night.
Silvretta-Bielerhöhe: Austria’s Beautiful Scenic Route
After a hearty breakfast and a brief stroll around the village, we decided to continue our journey. At this point, we had no idea where we were headed or what we would do. Our direction was westward, but everything else was open! We glanced at the map and spotted a road that seemed like a pleasant drive. After a while, a gate appeared on the road, which momentarily puzzled us. However, we drove up to the staff at the gate, where we learned that the road was a beautiful scenic route and required payment. The fee was 18 € per car, and we decided that we wanted to experience it, so we paid the toll.
The road was Silvretta-Hochalpenstraße (Silvretta-Bielerhöhe), spanning 22.3 kilometers and offering stunning views of mountains, lakes, and winding serpentine roads between the villages of Galtür and Partenen.
There are also hiking trails of varying difficulty levels for hiking enthusiasts. The road features several larger and smaller stopping points, allowing ample opportunity to pause and admire the scenery. We stopped here for a cooking break amidst the lake and mountain scenery, which was definitely the highlight of our day.
We also climbed up a bit on the mountain slope on the Partenen side, where we could admire the winding serpentine road from above.
Driving peacefully amidst these breathtaking landscapes was a wonderful experience. While the Alps offer beautiful mountain roads everywhere, we would say that this road is definitely worth the 18 € toll, and we highly recommend driving it if you’re in the area.
We enjoyed it so much that we stayed until evening, prompting us to find accommodation nearby. We discovered a lovely hotel, Revier Mountain Lodge Montafon, in the village of St. Gallenkirch.
The hotel was brand new, with small rooms, but that didn’t matter much because each room had a floor-to-ceiling window, and the bed was right in front of it, allowing you to lounge in bed and admire the mountain views 😍 This accommodation cost 84 € per night.
The location of the accommodation is excellent, especially in winter, as the gondola lift practically departs from the hotel’s doorstep. The skiing area is Silvretta Montafon.
From these picturesque surroundings, we continued our journey further west towards the next country, Liechtenstein.
