The Sünser Spitze

Here, I am offering a change of scenery. The hike we did here is in the Austrian Prealps of the Bregenzerwald. Located just a few kilometres from the Swiss border, these Prealps offer a landscape that is not entirely different from what we are used to. However, the accommodation is excellent, and the welcome is warm, making it a pleasant destination for a hiking holiday. In addition, the Bregenzerwald is a little off the beaten track, and away from the valleys leading to the Arlberg. As a result, it is quiet, even if some places are quite busy.

The Sünser Spitze is located away from the ski area of Damüls, even though it is a neighbour. In addition, its height makes it a good choice, as it is higher than the neighbouring peak that dominates the Rhine Valley: the Hoher Freschen. As a result, the view is far-reaching. You can see the Alpstein and the Tödi. You can also see the characteristic peak that is known as the Cervin of the Montafon: the Zimba.

The starting point of the hike is a little below along the road leading to the Furkajoch. There is a free car park there (although it is specified that it is not allowed to spend the night there). The name Furkajoch is a good example of pleonasm and means “Furka Pass”. However, as Furka already means a pass in an etymological sense, this means “Pass Pass”.

Almost directly opposite the car park, a good path leads up the hillside to the Portlaalpe. A little higher up, you reach a small pass from which a small path leads up to the Portlakopf, a good vantage point for the surrounding peaks, particularly the Glatthorn. From the Portlakopf, we followed the ridge, which has a few steep places, leading to the Portlahorn and the Sünser Joch. From this pass, the normal path leads up to the ridge, but we opted to follow a path that crosses the slopes below the ridge. As we approached the Sünser Spitze, we reached the ridge and climbed up to the summit along it.

At the summit, we were not alone, but the conversations with the locals were very pleasant. From the summit, we followed the south ridge down to the Sünser See. From the lake we went over the Sünsalpe and back to the Portlaalpe and the Furkajoch road.

Route: Parking along the Furkajoch road – Portlaalpe – Portlakopf – Portlahorn – Sünser Joch – Sünser Spitze – Sünser See – Sünsalpe – Portlaalpe – starting point
Distance: 10.5km
Elevation gain: 575m
Duration: 4h30