Link to more route details: www.komoot.de/collection/901089/-via-alpina-4-10

From the town centre of Gargellen (1,423m), cross the next bridge over the Suggadinbach stream to arrive on the outskirts of the wood at the foot of the steeply towering Schmalzberg and walk along an agricultural road to the Vergaldaalpe (1,820m). From there, the route runs along a little alpine road with moderate gradients for around another hour into the valley. From the Rotbühel hunting lodge, the mountain track winds upward to the Vergaldner Joch pass standing at 2,515m. Head through a cirque hollow to the Mittelbergjoch pass at 2,415m in altitude. From there, continue steeply downhill once again for approx. 100 metres in altitude, and then on a much gentler descent until reaching the trail to the Garnerajoch pass. Walk straight ahead there to arrive on an almost level course at the Tübinger Hut (approx. 1 hour from the Vergaldner Joch pass).
(Christina Schwann, OeAV)

Via Alpina almost covers the entire length of the Rätikon, a fascinating, many-faceted mountain range, as far as the Rhine valley. It is famous among geologists because it can offer impressive insights into the nappe system of the Central Alps at the border of the Eastern and Western Alps. On the Vorarlberg side of the Rätikon, east alpine limestone, marl and main dolomite dominate alternately in stark contrast, which gives the relief its highly varied structure with various high valleys and striking mountain shapes. On the Prätigau side, the limestone rock lies to a greater extent than in the Walgau region on a mighty pillar of flysch (Prätigau slate). This has created a picture of steeply falling, lightly coloured limestone walls on flysch slopes where grass grows even higher up than would otherwise be characteristic of the dolomites. These mountains are therefore sometimes referred to as the "Prätigau dolomites". The mountain ridge is so strikingly distinctive that it was not difficult to set the Austrian-Swiss border along it. It divides the valley of the Ill – Montafon and Walgau – from that of the Landquart river, the Prätigau with the same precision. The divisive effect of the main ridge and the differences in relief should not, however, lead to the many common points of the valley communities on both sides being overlooked. For a long time, both areas belonged together politically, starting with the inclusion in the Roman province of Raetia prima with the main town of Chur until the rule of the Habsburgs from 1477 to 1649. The southern part of Vorarlberg belonged until 1818 to the Bishopric of Chur. Nor can the similarities of national customs with those in Raetian and Raeto-Romanic early history and with the Walsers who arrived in the late Middle Ages be ignored. Thus the name of “Rätikon” could be understood as a common reminder of the old Raetia. And yet this name only appeared in the 16th century, by way of coincidence. At the valley mouth of the Garneratal valley and in the high-altitude of the Vergaldatal valley, the original natural uniqueness is still maintained undisturbed over a large area, and thus it is possible to talk about large biotopes highly deserving of protection. The western part of the trail in the Silvretta leads through a high valley with larger sloping locations with southern exposure than in the Garneratal valley and in the western neighbouring Valzifenztal valley. This climatic asset is also reflected in the substantially more diverse alpine flora. Moreover, it is evident in the name Vergalda. In Raeto-Romanic, the valley was called Val calda (in 1423 Vallgalda) - "warm valley".
(Christina Schwann, OeAV)