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In this section we present a chapter from the book
Per Alpes, Discovering the Alps in 20 circular walks.
Read the tour description below or download
the book here.
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At the heart of Silvretta
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A stunning summit still not very well known: Großer Litzner. Foto: G. Groß |
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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 (3,411 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.
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The tour is of medium diffi culty; however, as these mountains are often covered in scree, some slopes can be quite unpleasant. Be careful when crossing the snowfi elds which persist into late summer and can be steep.
Click on map for larger image.
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Alp Sardasca – Silvrettahütte |
Starting from Alp Sardasca (1,648 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 (2,341 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 (2,843 m), the summit just above the Silvrettahütte. |
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Accommodation
Silvrettahütte (2,341 m): Tel. +41-(0)81-4221306, e-mail: silvrettahuette@bluewin.ch, www.silvrettahuette.ch, open from mid June to mid October, SAC-CAS.
The signs of the glaciers’ power are evident throughout the tour around Großer Litzner. Foto: M. Hofer
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Silvrettahütte – Rote Furka – Klostertaler Umwelthütte – Litznersattel – Saarbrücker Hütte |
Follow the well waymarked path with a beautiful view over the Silvretta glacier all the way up to Rote Furka (2,688 m), on Austrian soil. Here you fi nd the Klostertaler Umwelthütte (2,366 m; unwardened). Traverse the Verhupftäli, a very steep path partially equipped with fi xed ropes, and reach the Litzner saddle at 2,737 m. The descent to the Saarbrücker hut (2,538 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. |
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Accommodation
Klostertaler Umwelthütte (2,366 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 (2,538 m): Tel. +43-(0)5558-4235, open from the beginning of July to the end of September, DAV.
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Saarbrücker Hütte – Seelücke – Schottensee – Seetalhütte |
As you walk up from the Saarbrücker Hütte (2,538 m) to the Seelücke (2,776 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 (2,065 m). |
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Accommodation
Seetalhütte (2,065 m): Tel. +41-(0)71-3516392, open from the beginning of July to the end of September, SAC-CAS.
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Seetalhütte – Scharte – Obere Silvretta-Seenplatte – Alpe Silvretta – Alp Sardasca – Klosters |
From this point it is possible to descend directly to Alpe Sardasca. Nevertheless, the route fl anking the lakes is much more attractive. Leaving from the Seetalhütte (2,065 m), walk back for a short distance then climb up to a path, not always clearly visible, and reach the col (Scharte, 2,682 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 (1,648m). From here we return to Klosters by Taxi-Bus. |
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Accommodation
For information: Destination Davos Klosters, p. 154.
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Useful information |
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Tourist information
Destination Davos Klosters: Tel. +41-(0)81-4102020
e-mail: info@klosters.ch, www.klosters.ch
Tourismusverband Paznaun-Ischgl
Infobüro Galtür: Tel. +43-(0)50990-200
e-mail: info@galtuer.com, www.galtuer.com
Hochmontafon Tourismus GmbH Büro Partenen: Tel. +43-(0)5558-83150
e-mail: partenen@gaschurn-partenen.com
www.gaschurn-partenen.com
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
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Alpine Guides
Forti 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
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Alpine Clubs
Oesterreichischer Alpenverein (OeAV):
Tel. +43-(0)512-59547-0
e-mail: office@alpenverein.at, www.alpenverein.at
Swiss Alpine Club (SAC-CAS):
Tel. +41-(0)31-3701818
e-mail: info@sac-cas.ch, www.sac-cas.ch
Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV):
Tel. +49-(0)89-14003-0
e-mail: info@alpenverein.de, www.alpenverein.de
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Read more about the resorts around the Großer Litzer tour.
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Here is an excellent link on how to get there. Wherever you are going.
Michelin
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