Glacier view loop at the Silvretta Reservoir

At the southernmost point of Vorarlberg, nestled between jagged peaks, lies the Ochsental Glacier, a silent witness to the Ice Age – and a reminder of climate change.

Info/Facts: Since the peak of the last ice age around 20,000 years ago, the Ochsental Glacier has been dormant beneath Piz Buin. It feeds the source of the Ill River and symbolizes the immense beauty of this high-alpine habitat. The blue ice is embedded in the ancient rock of the Silvretta Crystalline – one of the oldest rock complexes in Vorarlberg. But even here, global warming has left its mark: Since the beginning of industrialization, the glacier has continuously lost mass. Today, its extent is far below its former level above the Wiesbadener Hütte.

With the ice, the light-colored surface that previously reflected sunlight also disappears. Darker rock emerges, warms more rapidly, and thus further accelerates melting. Researchers refer to this as the so-called ice-albedo feedback – a natural amplification effect with far-reaching consequences for the high mountains.

Tip for experiencing: Even if the glacier is melting, a visit is still worthwhile. The view is particularly beautiful when walking around the Silvretta reservoir on the Bieler Höhe – at the end of the loop, the glacier is in view. You can also hike through the Ochsental valley, with the Wiesbadener Hütte as your destination. From there, you have an impressive view of the ice and Vorarlberg's highest mountain. If you want to enter the glacier field yourself, you should only do so accompanied by a certified mountain guide – for your own safety, as crevasses lurk in the ice.