Bartholomäberg: Mining History, Church and Hiking Trails

Bartholomäberg offers insights into the history of Montafon alongside themed trails, church art and hikes through varied landscapes. When planning a stay, you can choose how to balance culture and outdoor activities: a visit to the museum and parish church offers a different focus from the Miners’ Trail or a hike through the wetlands around Sasälla and Fritzensee.

Museum, Mining History and Parish Church

The Frühmesshaus Bartholomäberg Museum is housed in a Baroque-era building and presents the history of Montafon. Its focus spans from the Bronze and Iron Ages to early mining, whose roots date back to Celtic times. The mining landscape on Bartholomäberg is also part of this historical picture: in 2012, it was entered in the monument register of the Republic of Austria as an outstanding cultural monument and has been permanently protected ever since.

St. Bartholomäus Parish Church is a Baroque church with a medieval core. Its artworks include stained-glass windows created around 1906/07 by the Tyrolean Stained Glass Institute in Innsbruck. Another witness to the past is the historic Graß organ: built in 1792, it is regularly played in concerts. The church brings together architectural history and later artistic and musical traditions in one place.

The cattle drive from the alpine pastures is also still a lively part of community life. If you are planning a trip specifically to see it, check the event dates in advance. This is a different way to experience the local history than through the museum and mining: here, the focus is on a tradition that is still practised today.

Themed Trails on Geology and Mining

The Bartholomäberg Geological Educational Trail explains 1,000 million years of Montafon’s geological history along 24 information boards. The Miners’ Trail has a different focus: it links Litz Chapel in Schruns with the mining area of Knappagruaba, via Montjola and the church in Bartholomäberg. Along the trail, numerous information boards tell the story of early settlement and mining on Bartholomäberg.

The Historic Bartholomäberg Mine is about a 50-minute walk from the Baroque church. This approximate walking time is a useful guide if you want to combine a visit to the mine with a stop at the church. The Historic ArchitekTour Montafon / Bartholomäberg is shorter: this easy themed trail is 0.47 kilometres long. Seasonal conditions may affect access.

Hiking, Views and Wetland Habitats

On summer hikes in Bartholomäberg, you’ll pass traditional Maisäß houses. The hiking trails offer views of the Rätikon, Silvretta and Verwall mountain ranges. In winter, there are snowshoe and winter hiking trails; these activities are seasonal. The summer trails therefore offer a different experience from the winter routes: Maisäß houses and mountain views shape the summer hikes, while snowshoeing and winter walks are tied to the winter season.

Around Sasälla and Fritzensee, ponds alternate with sloping fens and lowland fens. Together, they form a mosaic of different wetland habitats. This landscape is distinct from the historical and cultural sites and offers another theme to explore outdoors.

On the Gaglaweg Bartholomäberg, a puzzle adventure accompanies the search for a missing treasure. You can borrow the Gaglaweg backpack, provided for this purpose, with a deposit from tourist information offices or citizen service centres. Check whether the backpack is available before your visit.

A Short Panoramic Route

The accessible panoramic route runs from the parish church along Panoramastraße to Hotel Fernblick and back. It is short and suitable for wheelchair users, families with pushchairs and anyone who wants a leisurely walk without an incline. Check the surface conditions on site. These suitability details apply to the route described.

Discover more destinations: Innerbraz, Sankt Anton Im Montafon, Damüls, Thüringerberg, Sonntag, Gaschurn, Lech, Bludenz

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