Why this road
This is an honest page: the famous crossing with its hairpins above Partenen is not open right now. What remains is a short, beautiful drive up the Paznaun. Above Galtür the valley gets wild and empty, the road climbs in wide bends above the tree line and comes out at the Bielerhöhe, where the Silvretta lake lies in front of a ring of glaciated peaks. It is an out-and-back drive, and the way down gives you the valley from a new side.
The route
- AIschgl
Start in Ischgl in the Paznaun valley and head up the valley towards Galtür.
- 1Mathon
A small village between Ischgl and Galtür. The valley narrows and the high peaks come closer.
- 2Galtür
The last village in the valley. Behind it the road climbs above the tree line into the high alpine part of the Silvretta road.
- BBielerhöhe
The top at just over 2,000 m, at the dam of the Silvretta reservoir. Piz Buin and the Silvretta glaciers rise behind the lake.
Stops worth it
A quiet village with a church and a few cafés, good for a break before the climb.
Walk across the dam and a little way along the lake shore. The path around the lake is an easy, flat walk.
Light and the best time
You drive west and south-west up the valley, so a late morning start keeps the sun behind you or to your left. At the Bielerhöhe you look south across the lake towards Piz Buin: in the morning the peaks are lit from the side, around midday they are against the light. Clouds often build over the glaciers in the afternoon, so be at the top before about noon. On the way back down the Paznaun in the afternoon the sun is behind you again.
The road above Galtür is closed in winter and usually opens around June, depending on snow, until late October. July to September is the most reliable time. The Partenen side in Vorarlberg is closed until further notice; the operator plans to reopen it around 2030 after construction work. Check the current status on the operator's website before you go.
By vehicle
Short but lovely, with wide bends above Galtür. Without the Montafon side it is a dead end, so plan it as part of a longer tour.
Open-top up to the lake is a treat. At over 2,000 m it is cold even in summer, bring a jacket.
Easy for any car. Park at the Bielerhöhe and walk to the dam.
A good climb from Galtür, much gentler than the closed hairpins on the Montafon side.
Good to know
The Silvretta road is normally a toll road; while the Montafon side is closed, the operator has kept the Tyrol side open without toll in summer. Check the current situation on the operator's website. There is no through road to Partenen by car until the closed section reopens: to reach the Montafon you have to drive around. From the Montafon side, the Vermuntbahn cable car from Partenen is planned to run in the coming summers as a way up towards the Bielerhöhe. Fuel up in the Paznaun, there is no fuel at the top.
Route checked against OpenStreetMap on 2 November 2026. Roads, closures and rules change: always check before you go and follow local signs.
Questions
Is the Silvretta High Alpine Road open?
Only the Tyrol side from Galtür to the Bielerhöhe, in summer. The Montafon side from Partenen is closed after rockfalls; the operator plans to reopen it around 2030. Check the operator's website before you go.
Can I drive from Partenen to Galtür over the Silvretta?
Not at the moment. The section between Partenen and the Vermunt reservoir is closed to public traffic. Drive up from the Tyrol side instead.
How long is the drive from Ischgl to the Bielerhöhe?
About half an hour of driving without stops, one way. With a walk at the lake, plan half a day.
Is there a toll on the Silvretta High Alpine Road?
Normally yes. During the construction years the Tyrol side has been toll-free in summer. Check the current rules on the operator's website.