Spiss, situated at the Swiss border in the Samnauntal is the village at the highest altitude in Austria (1628 m). Originally a part of Nauders, Spiss is subdivided into several hamlets on southerly exposed steep slopes. Situated in a high valley, traffic only could reach the village over Switzerland till 1980. On Austrian territory a dangerous mule track from Pfunds went up to Spiss. Due to its isolated location and the lack of jobs, Spiss suffered from migration, which the provincial government tried to stop by the construction of a road and supporting measures. Spiss has a few overnight stays due to its proximity to Samnaun.