Do you see those imposing peaks before you? These are the Drei Schwestern. The Three Sisters stand tall on the border of Austria and Liechtenstein. They create a natural divide between Liechtenstein and Vorarlberg.
The Drei Schwestern are part of the Rätikon mountain range. This range is in the Western Central Alps. The Great Sister is the highest. It rises 2,053 metres above sea level. The Middle Sister is 2,048 metres high. The Little Sister reaches 2,034 metres. These peaks mark the boundary between Feldkirch in Austria and Liechtenstein. Roads make them accessible. Many people enjoy climbing them.
Local legend tells a different story of the Drei Schwestern. On the Feast of the Assumption, three sisters went to pick berries. They walked towards Gafadura above Planken village. Church bells rang. They announced the holy feast. One sister wanted to attend church. The others insisted on filling their baskets first. Late that afternoon, they finally headed home. They met a beautiful woman. She asked for berries. The sisters refused. They said the woman should pick her own. Suddenly, a halo appeared. The woman spoke. “You have dishonoured my holy day. You refused my request. Your hearts are of stone. You shall turn to stone as punishment. You will remain here forever.” The sisters transformed into the rocks we now call the Drei Schwestern.
The first ascent was likely by hunters. The first recorded climb happened on 10 June 1870. John Sholto Douglass and a hunter named Wieser made the climb. They came from Thüringen and Frastanz.
The Drei Schwestern ridge runs north to south. To the west, they descend into the Alpine Rhine Valley. To the east lies the Saminatal. Paths make this area great for hiking. Rock climbing is also popular. Difficulty levels range from UIAA II to V. The north wall of the Middle Sister has routes at UIAA level VI.
In 1976, the Vorarlberg region of the Drei Schwestern gained protected landscape status.
So, the Drei Schwestern are more than just mountains. They are a border, a climbing challenge and a legend. They connect nature, history and folklore. Take a moment to appreciate their majesty. Remember the tale of the sisters turned to stone.