T4 - From green pastures to Limestone Thrones of Ratikon - Weiss Platte and Sulzflüh

21Sep Sun
09:30

 Berggasthaus Grabs Parkplatz ( Grabsweg 15, 6774 Tschagguns, Austria )

Organized by:  Marco Mecarozzi
 Repeat event
Route

From green meadows to Limestone Thrones of Ratikon - Weiss Platte and Sulzflüh

 Download GPX Route Details 

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Participants

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Weather

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Description

https://share.google/GLuD1rswvt4hhV6zbThis is a two day hike with overnight sleep in Tilisunahütte ( https://www.hut-reservation.org/reservation/book-hut/91/wizard ). Please read carefully instructions for the hike and don´t just click on coming. This hike is not for beginners.

CARPOOL

Schedule: Hike starts at 9,30 am. 

Drivers: add your car in carpool and put meeting point and time for it. (please try to stick to the plan unless something serious happens since people in the car are relying on you)

Passengers: Click on Carpool button. Read carefully all information about the car you join, check if there are any specific instructions. All the costs for the trip will be shared with people in the same car. Meeting point is decided by the driver, this information is in the "Carpool" button.


What do you need to take part to this hike.

1) enough fitness 
2) please bring cash (many huts don´t accept card)
3) Team spirit. So put always an eye to the group and no gaps in the group please. 
4) Motivation to join the event. At latest you can unjoin event 12 hours before. Thanks for understanding.


Instructions for the hike

Everyone is responsible for his/her own booking. I will just take care of the routes and leading the group. https://tilisuna-huette.at/#uebernachtung Check it out here for prices and conditions that you might like the most. Write HIKING BUDDIES MUNICH in group name when you reserve. Travelling costs will be shared in each car. Extra any food or drink you will buy along those two days. Hiking can be a dangerous activity. Everyone is responsible for him/herself. I am not a professional guide.


Once booked please confirm with a message to me. Just clicking on partecipating is not enough. Who has never hiked with me please send me a PM.


My telephone Number for the two days hike is +4917643285424.


Hike Description

September is coming and by experience can be much more stable and enjoyable weather than full summer for hiking. So lets go to one of my favourite regions! Ratikon. At the border between Austria and Switzerland.

Especially the area where we will go this time has a few special features:

- One of the most beautiful marmot areas
- Geological boundary between limestone and primary rock
- Magnificent view of the Lechquellen Mountains
- Diverse alpine flora
- Lake Tilisuna

From the Grabs mountain inn, take a shortcut across the alpine meadows, which you rejoin at Hochegga. From here, hike along a wide forest path to the Alpilaalpe. Now, take a hiking trail up to the Tobelalpe and continue to a fork in the path. We pass through idyllic alpine pastures, lushly blooming slopes of alpine roses, and we reach finally magnificently situated Tobelsee. In good weather, Tobelsee is a prime photo spot, as the striking Three Towers are reflected in it!
From the lake, we climb up fairly steep terrain to the Schwarzhornsattel (2,166 m). From the saddle, we hike into a cirque and traverse beneath the rocks of the Schwarzhorn to a trail rising from the left. We turn right and hike across a plateau to the Tilisuna Hut (2,211 m). We reach the clearly visible Rätikon High Trail. We now follow this to the right – amidst a magnificent and tranquil landscape. Soon, the customs hut at the Gruben Pass can be seen on a hill. The pass lies on the Swiss border and offers a view of the Sulzflüh (our second day target). We also marvel at the impressive karst landscape to the southwest, which we now intend to hike up.
We follow the cairns to the Weißplatte. Although there's no visible hiking trail among the rocks, the ascent is clearly marked by countless cairns. It leads almost exactly along the state border and is the highlight of this hike for us.
The Weißplatte is accessible without climbing and offers fantastic views! The unobstructed view of the Sulzfluh (in front of the yawning abyss), as well as the Scheienfluh, which overhangs to the west, is particularly impressive. 
The mountain is characterized by impressive and deeply furrowed limestone rocks. Also there is a cave system. Beneath the karst plateau of the Weißplatte lies a large cave system, one of the longest and deepest in Vorarlberg. We will probably get to see them or even explore a couple the second day. We come back to Tilisunahutte and we have dinner. The second day after breakfast we start our tour to the second peak. The famous Sulzflüh!
Located on the Swiss-Autrian border, Sulzfluh is an important summit of the Rätikon Mountains, part of the northern Limestone Alps and provides a beautiful view from the top. The mountain range of the Rätikon is enframed by the Rhine in the West, the Ill in the North and the Silvretta in the East. The southern border is formed by the Landquart, which is already in Switzerland. Behind the hut, head west across the green southern slope. At the top, the terrain changes dramatically, from green meadows to a rocky, gray desert. Hike across the mighty rock ridge. Beyond this, descend a few meters to the other side. From here, make a wide left turn up to the broad ridge (border with Switzerland). The trail continues westward along the Vorarlberg-Graubünden border. The trail turns southwest and leads along the north side of the Sulzflüh to its northwest side. Here, the path becomes steeper again, and the trail leads over steeper snowfields, some of which can be bypassed on rocks (depending on snow conditions). You reach the west side of the Sulzflüh. Now climb a few more meters to the summit of the Sulzfluh (2818 m).
From the summit cross you have panoramic views over the Rätikon (Drusenfluh, Drei Türme, Schesaplana), the Prättigau in Switzerland, and Montafon in Austria.
The descent starts steeply. We will need to be a bit careful on loose gravel. (Depending on conditions we might decide to take another route slightly longer (only half an hour) but not as steep as this one). The Ridge descent goes towards Gauafial saddle (~2,500 m).
The trail zigzags down the south-eastern flank of Sulzflüh.
Short rock steps (UIAA I) where you use hands; some are equipped with chains.
Exposed spots, but secure footing is enough if you’re careful.
Fantastic views open up: in front you see the Drei Türme, behind you the Swiss Prättigau, and further down, the green Gauertal valley. We reach then again karst terrain (~2,450 m)
The slope eases a bit, but the terrain turns into karst limestone plates and crevices. The path winds in tight switchbacks, dropping quickly through grass and rubble. In summer, the slopes are covered with alpine roses, gentians, and edelweiss.
After about 2–2.5 hours from the summit, you reach the upper valley floor, entering the forest zone (~1,850 m). Now the atmosphere changes: the alpine terrain gives way to pine and spruce forest. Trail is softer underfoot, with roots and shaded sections. You start to hear cowbells — the Gauertal is used for alpine pastures. Views of Sulzfluh towering behind you are impressive in clear weather. We finally approach Lindauer Hütte (1,744 m). The last 30 minutes are a gentle descent through open meadows, with wide views of the Drei Türme rock towers on the left.
The path broadens and merges with access tracks used for supplies.
Finally, you reach the Lindauer Hütte — a large, beautifully situated hut in a green basin, framed by the limestone peaks where we can have a drink or food.
We finally hike the descent back to our cars.


More info about weather conditions, state of the paths I will give when we get closer to the event.



Good to know

Sleeping bag

Waterproof hiking boots

Rain jacket

Cash for the ride and to pay the hütte

Food/drinks for the way 

Flashlight


Comments
Marco Mecarozzi 6 months ago
It is missing the last section of the hike in the track above. Reason is there is a bug and otherwise it is impossible to save the route in Hiking Buddies.
1  | 0  
Hélène Chéry 6 months ago
When does the hike happen Marco, from Sunday to Monday, or Saturday to Sunday?
1  | 0  
Hélène Chéry 6 months ago
It will difficult to choose amongst all these beautiful cars!
2  | 0  
Marco Mecarozzi 6 months ago
Hallo everyone. The hike Is full. We are 8 persons going altogether with a minivan. We added beautiful virtual Cars to guarantee the persons above, that had decided long ago to go, to have a Seat in the minivan we arranged a few days ago since no drivers had showed up. :)
2  | 0  
Muralidharan Jagannathan 6 months ago
so many cars and no one wants to share … you guys are so unfriendly… 😂 😂 😆.. you are should rate each other fit and unfriendly buddy … 😂
0  | 0  

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