Trekking in the Alps

Route descriptions: Deep valleys, glacial landscapes and steep dark summits are the distinctive features of the Silvretta range. This mountain group is located in the Oriental Alps and it is very popular amongst climbers. Most of the ascents to the threethousanders start in Austria, where also the majority of the huts are. The Swiss side, by contrast, is relatively quiet when it comes to climbing, even though it hosts the highest peak, Piz Linard (3411 m). The Dreiländerspitze is the summit that receives the most attention from tourists, because it is a tri-border area where Tyrol, Vorarlberg and the Swiss canton of Graubünden meet. The Silvretta Group is also known as “Blue Silvretta” because of its great number of glaciers. The four-day tour of the Grosser Litzner, whose summit looks almost like a finger pointing towards the sky, is probably the least busy of the tours featured here. You can therefore be certain that you will enjoy the landscape undisturbed. The trailhead is Alp Sardasca, in the Swiss Engadine valley, only a few kilometers away from the resort of Klosters. It is also possible to start the tour on the Austrian side, from Bieler Höhe and/or the Silvretta reservoir reaching Saarbrücker Hütte.

Skills required: The tour is of medium difficulty; however, as these mountains are often covered in scree, some slopes can be quite unpleasant. Be careful when crossing the snowfields which persist into late summer and can be steep.

Alp Sardasca – Silvrettahütte

Travel time: 2-2,5 h.

Starting from Alp Sardasca (1648 m) follow the path which initially runs up the valley heading east. The same path then climbs up steeply all the way to the Silvrettahütte (2341 m). Today’s journey is rather short, you could therefore use your spare time to explore the instructional trail on the glacier only recently opened, bathe in one of the small lakes or climb the Tällispitz (2843 m), the summit just above the Silvrettahütte.

Accommodation:
Silvrettahütte (2341 m): Tel. +41-(0)81-4221306, e-mail: [email protected], www.silvrettahuette.ch, open from mid June to mid October, SAC-CAS.

Silvrettahütte – Rote Furka – Klostertaler Umwelthütte – Litznersattel – Saarbrücker Hütte

Travel time: 6-6,5 h

Follow the well waymarked path with a beautiful view over the Silvretta glacier all the way up to Rote Furka (2688 m), on Austrian soil. Here you fi nd the Klostertaler Umwelthütte (2366 m; unwardened). Traverse the Verhupftäli, a very steep path partially equipped with fi xed ropes, and reach the Litzner saddle at 2737 m. The descent to the Saarbrücker hut (2538 m) is not particularly demanding, however because of gravel and snow residue present up until the start of summer, this route should not be underestimated.

Accommodation:
Klostertaler Umwelthütte (2366 m, rifugio non gestito): open all year (keys available at the Alpine Club divisions; you will be asked to leave a deposit), DAV.
Saarbrücker Hütte (2538 m): Tel. +43-(0)5558-4235, open from the beginning of July to the end of September, DAV.

Saarbrücker Hütte – Seelücke – Schottensee – Seetalhütte

Travel time: 3,5-4 h

As you walk up from the Saarbrücker Hütte (2538 m) to the Seelücke (2776 m) the path is very stony. Walk on a lateral moraine of the Seegletscher glacier, cross over Lake Schottensee and turn into Schlappintal. Traverse the breathtaking landscape of the Seetal and eventually reach the romantic Seetalhütte (2065 m).

Accommodation:
Seetalhütte (2065 m): Tel. +41-(0)71-3516392, open from the beginning of July to the end of September, SAC-CAS.

Seetalhütte – Scharte – Obere Silvretta-Seenplatte – Alpe Silvretta – Alp Sardasca – Klosters

Travel time: 4,5-5 h

From this point it is possible to descend directly to Alpe Sardasca. Nevertheless, the route flanking the lakes is much more attractive. Leaving from the Seetalhütte (2065 m), walk back for a short distance then climb up to a path, not always clearly visible, and reach the col (Scharte, 2682 m).You then head towards the beautiful lakes. After one last descent you reach Alpe Silvretta, where a clearly visible sign shows you the way to Alp Sardasca (1648m). From here we return to Klosters by Taxi-Bus.

Accommodation:
For information: Destination Davos Klosters.

Useful information

Tourist information
Destination Davos Klosters: Tel. +41-(0)81-4102020 e-mail: [email protected], www.klosters.ch
Tourismusverband Paznaun-Ischgl Infobüro Galtür: Tel. +43-(0)50990-200 e-mail: [email protected], www.galtuer.com
Hochmontafon Tourismus GmbH Büro Partenen: Tel. +43-(0)5558-83150 e-mail: [email protected] www.gaschurn-partenen.com

Alpine Guides
MForti Niederer (Klosters): Tel. +41-(0)81-4223974

Weather
Austria: www.zamg.ac.at
Personal enquiries: Tel. +43-(0)512-291600 (Mon-Sat 13-18 h)
Switzerland: Tel. +41-(0)900-162 333 www.meteoschweiz.admin.ch

Maps
Map Alpenvereinskarte, Sheet 26 (Silvrettagruppe):1:25.000
Map Freytag & Berndt Wanderkarte, Sheet 373 (Silvretta Hochalpenstraße/Piz Buin): 1:50.000
National map of Switzerland, Sheet 248 (Prättigau): 1:50.000
National map of Switzerland, Sheet 249 (Tarasp): 1:50.000

Alpine clubs
Oesterreichischer Alpenverein (OeAV): Tel. +43-(0)512-59547-0 e-mail: [email protected], www.alpenverein.at
Swiss Alpine Club (SAC-CAS): Tel. +41-(0)31-3701818 e-mail: [email protected], www.sac-cas.ch
Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV): Tel. +49-(0)89-14003-0 e-mail: [email protected], www.alpenverein.de

Public transport
Rhaetian Railway: Tel. +41-(0)81-2884340 www.rhb.ch
Swiss Postbus, Postauto Graubünden: Tel. +41-(0)81-8641683, www.postauto.ch/de
Angelo’s Bustaxi: Tel. +41-(0)79-4167373