Mathon: Winter Trails, Cross-Country Ski Trail and Village Culture

If you are looking for accommodation in Mathon for the winter, you will find several clearly distinct options in the village and its immediate surroundings: a beginners’ lift, a cross-country ski trail to Ischgl, an easy winter hiking trail, and paths to a mountain lake and viewpoints. The offering is complemented by churches, a farmers’ museum and regional cuisine. When making your choice, it is therefore particularly important to consider whether you want to focus on cross-country skiing, winter hiking, a local lift or cultural excursions.

• The Mathon beginners’ lift has a vertical difference of 95 m and is 449 m long.
• The cross-country ski trail between Mathon and Ischgl is 5.5 km long.
• The Ischgl–Mathon winter hiking trail is 5 km long, takes around 2 hours and is classified as easy.
• Bus 260 runs every half hour from Landeck-Zams railway station through the Paznaun Valley; the circular hiking trail can be reached via the Mathon West bus stop.
• The Mathon circular hiking trail begins at the Church of Saint Sebastian and reaches the Three Kings Chapel after approximately 200 m.
• The Paznaun Farmers’ Museum is located in the village centre at St. Sebastianweg No. 4.

Winter activities around Mathon

The Mathon beginners’ lift is 449 m long and has a vertical difference of 95 m. This does not automatically mean that it offers an extensive ski area, a particular variety of pistes or suitability for a specific ability level. Those wishing to plan more demanding skiing in addition to the short lift offering should therefore check the separately listed services and current operating information.

For cross-country skiing, the connection between Mathon and Ischgl is the central route. It provides a sporting alternative to alpine skiing, without allowing any conclusions to be drawn about additional cross-country ski trails or their current condition. The winter hiking trail leads to Mathon, continues along the Valzurbach stream and then reaches the wildlife park. This makes it possible to enjoy a varied stay even when not all travellers take part in the same winter sport.

The access route to Berglisee also begins at the Church of Saint Sebastian and initially follows the main road towards Galtür for approximately 150 m. Bergli and Berglisee can be reached by a road or a steep footpath. The path to the lake leads through forests and alpine meadows; the return route runs via Larein Alpe and Tschaffein back to Mathon. There are seating areas and a small barbecue site on the shore. The route description highlights an important distinction: the lake can be reached not only via a road but also via a footpath explicitly described as steep.

Landscape, wildlife park and viewpoints

The Silvretta Wildlife Park is located directly next to the Wildererhütte on the Silvretta High Alpine Road between Ischgl and Mathon. The Wildererhütte can be reached via the Wildpark Silvretta bus stop.

Another hiking option is the Verwall Panorama Tour. It covers 7 km and 500 metres of elevation gain to a viewpoint below the Friedrichshafener Hütte. From there, the view described extends across the Silvretta and Samnaun mountain ranges. The tour begins and ends at the car park of the Friedrichshafener Hütte in the district of Piel between Ischgl and Galtür. It should therefore be classified as an independent tour with a defined starting and ending point, not as a circular trail running directly through the centre of Mathon.

Village history and regional impressions

Mathon was first mentioned in official records in 1173, when Ulrich III of Tarasp donated the Mathon Alp, in Latin “Alpem Mutanem”, to his family monastery of Marienberg. The village also contains several religious and cultural-historical points of interest. The parish church of Saint Sebastian was consecrated on 20 June 1682 in honour of Saints Sebastian and Rochus, patrons against the plague. The Three Kings Chapel received its present form in 1772 and was fitted with a nativity altar by Georg Witwer of Imst in 1774.

The Paznaun Farmers’ Museum is housed in the Walserstube inn, in the immediate vicinity of the Expositur Church of Saint Sebastian. The collection includes a weaving room with an old, homemade loom. It was used to produce bed linen, carpets and other textiles made from sheep’s wool. The Walserstube serves regional cuisine. A tunnel approximately 20 m long and the name “Knappaschrofa” also recall a former mining project in Mathon.

FAQ

Which winter sports are available in Mathon?

In addition to the beginners’ lift, there is a 5.5-km cross-country ski trail between Mathon and Ischgl, as well as the Ischgl–Mathon winter hiking trail, which is classified as easy.

What should you know about the Mathon beginners’ lift?

The beginners’ lift has a vertical difference of 95 m and is 449 m long.

How can you reach Berglisee from Mathon?

The access route begins at the Church of Saint Sebastian. The path initially leads approximately 150 m towards Galtür and then continues along a steep trail through forests and alpine meadows. Alternatively, Bergli and Berglisee can be reached via a road.

What does the Paznaun Farmers’ Museum offer?

The museum is housed in the Walserstube building at St. Sebastianweg No. 4. The weaving room with a homemade loom is particularly illustrative; it was used to produce bed linen, carpets and other textiles made from sheep’s wool.

Where is the Silvretta Wildlife Park located?

The wildlife park is located directly next to the Wildererhütte on the Silvretta High Alpine Road between Ischgl and Mathon. The Wildererhütte can be reached via the Wildpark Silvretta bus stop.

What is the Verwall Panorama Tour?

The Verwall Panorama Tour is a 7-km route with 500 metres of elevation gain to a viewpoint below the Friedrichshafener Hütte. The start and finish are at the car park of the Friedrichshafener Hütte in the district of Piel between Ischgl and Galtür.

To the higher-level travel overview: Ischgl.