about 1hr 40mins from the hut. A sudden eastward view shows the Silvretta Stausee at the Bielerhöhe with the road snaking to it; but best of all is the sight of snow-gleaming peaks of the Silvretta Alps.
The initial descent is very steep and demands care. But the gradient eases as you come down to a rocky hollow, cross a stream then work round the right-hand hillside and turn a spur to gain a view onto the milky blue waters of the Vermunt reservoir. A few minutes after this the view is to the south, where rocky peaks block the Kromertal.
Descend into the bed of the Kromertal, crossing several minor streams on the way to a track where you turn right along it for just 2mins. A signed junction at 1920m directs you left, and moments later you cross the Kromer Bach on a plank footbridge and continue across pastures. Here the way becomes less distinct, although there’s a path of sorts which weaves among bilberry, juniper and alpenrose, crosses several more minor streams and comes to the Madlener-Haus (60 beds, 20 dormitory places; Tel 05558 4234). Unless you need accommodation here follow a service road beyond the hut, then take a slanting footpath up to the car park at the Bielerhöhe.
At the Bielerhöhe you will find bus stops (for Montafon and Paznaun village services), a kiosk, toilets, public telephone and café. There is also a tourist boat on the Silvretta Stausee. For accommodation note the 2-star Berggasthof Piz Buin (55 beds; Tel 05558 4231) just above the road, and the large Silvretta Haus hotel opposite the car park.
ROUTE 10
Bielerhöhe (2036m) – Saarbrucker Hut (2538m)
| Start | Bielerhöhe (2036m) |
| Valley base | Bielerhöhe or Galtür |
| Distance | 6km |
| Height gain | 502m |
| Grade | 2 |
| Time | 3hrs |
| Location | Southwest of the Bielerhöhe |
Built upon a rocky spur projecting from the Klein Litzner at the head of the Kromertal, the Saarbrucker Hut is used by climbers tackling an assortment of neighbouring peaks, as well as by hut-to-hut trekkers, for there are several passes nearby that link with other refuges on both sides of the frontier. It’s a traditional hut, easily accessible and often very busy. There are two routes to it through the Kromertal, the shorter of which follows a track all the way from the southern end of the Vermunt reservoir. The route described here, though longer and slightly more demanding, is the more scenic option.
From the western side of the Bielerhöhe car park take a waymarked path which descends below the road to the Madlener-Haus. Pass along its left-hand side and, a few paces later, follow the red-and-white waymarked path (no 302) cutting left ahead along the edge of a gully. It then descends into the gully and crosses a stream before working along the lower hillside to a signed fork at 1950m.
The Grosser Seehorn overlooks the Saarbrücker Hut
Branch left and angle across the hillside, rising to turn a spur and reach a sloping shelf above the entrance to the Kromertal. Crossing minor streams the path rises again, making a few twists, then over a rocky shoulder and a rock tip beyond. A succession of shoulders are crossed or turned before coming to two small tarns. Soon after, the way descends a little to cross the Kromer Bach by footbridge. A few paces later come onto the track which serves the hut. A sign here indicates 50mins to reach it.
Either follow the track as it winds up into a stony basin below glacial remnants, or take the more direct, but steeper, waymarked path leading directly to the Saarbrucker Hut.
The Saarbrucker Hut is a large Category I hut with 20 beds in rooms, and 80 dormitory places. It is manned at Easter and Whitsun, and from July to the end of September (tel 05558 4235).
ROUTE 11
Wiesbadener Hut (2443m) – Litzner Sattel (2737m) – Saarbrucker Hut (2538m)
| Start | Wiesbadener Hut (2443m) |
| Valley base | Bielerhöhe |
| Distance | 10km |
| Height gain | 696m |
| Height loss | 641m |
| Grade | 3 |
| Time | 4½hrs |
| Location | Northwest of the Wiesbadener Hut |
Classified as an ‘Alpine route’ suitable for experienced mountain walkers only, this is a popular cross-country trek for climbers moving from one hut to the next. The Litzner Sattel lies in a ridge running northeast of the elegant rock pinnacle of the Gross Litzner, and on its northern side lie the remnants of a small glacier – mostly snow now, but it could be icy in its upper reaches.
From the Wiesbadener Hut (see Route 12) walk down the track/dirt road to the southern end of the Silvretta Stausee reservoir. Cross the bridge over the torrent which drains the Ochsental, and at the next junction branch left into the Klostertal (about 1hr to here).
A good path keeps to the left of the Klostertaler Bach, and about 45mins after entering the valley, you come to a sign stating that the unmanned Klostertaler Hut is just 20mins ahead. Fork right here on a narrow trail which soon crosses two branches of the stream on what was found to be a somewhat dubious footbridge during research.
The trail now weaves alongside the stream, then climbs a steep grass slope in the little side valley known as the Verhupftäli. Where there are brief rock slabs to mount, fixed ropes provide aid, and once you’ve climbed above these the way continues up to a plateau at about 2500m. This leads to the upper basin which is topped by the ridge connecting the Gross Litzner to the Sattelkopf and Verhupfspitz.
A line of small cairns and waymarks direct the path up a steep ramp of rocks to a prominent cairn. Bear left (west) along the ridge, descend to a saddle and pass along the left-hand side of a small lake, then curve north to reach the Litzner Sattel (about 3½hrs from the Wiesbadener Hut).
Descend the northern side of the pass to a steep snow slope (caution). Angle a little leftwards down this slope, and at the foot of the snow you’ll find blue and white waymarks taking the trail down to a second snow slope. Below this more waymarks lead into a basin below the Saarbrucker Hut. Join its service road/track and follow it up to the hut, whose details are found under Route 10.
ROUTE 12
Bielerhöhe (2036m) – Wiesbadener Hut (2443m) – Radsattel (2652m) – Bielerhöhe
| Start | Bielerhöhe (2036m) |
| Valley base | Bielerhöhe or Galtür |
| Distance | 13km |
| Height gain | 616m |
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