Rätikon

Updated on Dec 11, 2024

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Peak Schesaplana Highest point Schesaplana Parent range Alps		Elevation 2,964 m (9,724 ft) Country Austria

Countries Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein States Vorarlberg and Graubünden Borders on Silvretta, Verwall Alps, Plessur Range and Appenzell Alps Topo map Swiss Federal Office of Topography swisstopo Mountains Schesaplana, Sulzfluh, Drusenfluh, Zimba, Kirchlispitzen Similar Alps, Sulzfluh, Silvretta Alps, Schesaplana, Verwall Alps

The Rätikon is a mountain range of the Central Eastern Alps, located at the border between Vorarlberg, Liechtenstein and Graubünden. It is the geological border between the Eastern and Western Alps and stretches from the Montafon as far as the Rhine. In the south, the Prättigau is its limit, in the north the Walgau. In the east, it borders the Silvretta groups.

Map of R%C3%A4tikon, 6773 Vandans, Austria

The classification of the Rätikon to the central Eastern Alps is based solely on geographic-geological traditions. Large parts of the Rätikon consist of sedimentary rocks (limestones). From the geological point of view, the north-west Rätikon is assigned to the Northern Limestone Alps, while the South-West Rätikon belongs to the Bündner schist/ Bündner slate of the Western Alps.

PeaksEdit

Its chief peaks are:

Schesaplana 2964 m (9725 ft)

Schiltfluh 2890 m (9482 ft)

Panüelerkopf 2859 m (9380 ft)

Drusenfluh 2829 m (9282 ft)

Madrisahorn 2830 m (9285 ft)

Sulzfluh 2820 m (9252 ft)

Wildberg 2788 m (9147 ft)

Zimbaspitze 2643 m (8678 ft)

Vorder Grauspitz 2599 m (8528 ft)

Falknis 2566 m (8419 ft)

Naafkopf 2571 m (8445 ft)

Hornspitze 2537 m (8323 ft)

Vilan 2376 m (7795 ft)

Sassauna 2308 m (7572 ft)

For a list of passes see Passes of the Silvretta and Rätikon Ranges.

A multiday hike that follows a big portion of the Rätikon chain on its southern side is called "Prättigauer Höhenweg".

Neighboring mountain groupsEdit

The Rätikon is adjacent to the following other mountain groups in the Alps:

In the north-east to the Bregenz Forest Mountains and to the Lechquellen Mountains, these two groups belong to the Northern Limestone Alps in the Eastern Alps.

In the east to the Verwall Alps (Central Alps)

In the southeast to the Silvretta Alps (Central Alps)

In the south-west to the Plessur Alps (Central Alps)

In the west to the Glarus Alps (Western Alps)

In the north-west of the Appenzell Alps (Western Alps)

TourismEdit

Through the many mountains, the Rätikon is a first class area for all alpine sports such as hiking, skiing (including freeriding), cross-country skiing, mountain biking, etc. The position of the mountain chain allows for beautiful views and panoramic views. The cableways allow the ascent and descent to be shortened and only high-altitude hiking trails to be made.

The many huts allow one or more day walks. Many huts are hosted and also offer sleeping accommodations. The season usually starts in early April to late September / October, depending on the weather. Before starting a tour it is advised to ask beforehand in the regional tourist office or in the village.

Mountain HutsEdit

In the Vorarlberg part of the Rätikon are the following huts of the German and the Austrian Alpine Club as well as the friends of nature Austria:

Douglasshütte near Brand

Feldkircherhütte near Feldkirch

Haus Matschwitz on Matschwitz near Latschau

Heinrich-Hueter-Hütte near Vandans

Lindauer Hütte near Tschagguns

Madrisahütte near Gargellen

Mannheimer Hütte near Brand

Oberzalimhütte near Brand

Sarotlahütte near Brand

Schwabenhaus on the Tschengla near Bürserberg

Tilisunahütte near Tschagguns

Totalphütte near Brand

Alpine Restaurant "Gamperdona" near Nenzinger Himmel

In the Liechtensteiner part of the Rätikon there are the following huts of the Liechtensteiner Alpenverein:

Gafadurahütte near Nendeln

Pfälzerhütte near Steg

In the Grisons part of the Rätikon are the following huts of the Swiss Alpine Club and other mountain houses:

Enderlinhütte near Maienfeld

Schesaplanahütte near Seewis im Prättigau

Carschinahütte near St. Antönien

Mountain huts Sulzfluh and Alpenrösli near St. Antönien

Mountain railwaysEdit

In Montafon/Vorarlberg:

Lünerseebahn near Brand

Golmerbahn in Vadans/Tschagguns

Bergbahnen Gargellen

In Grison/Graubünden:

Älplibahn Malans

Seilbahn Fanas

Madrisa Klosters Bergbahnen

References

Rätikon Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

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