The Rätikon is a

mountain range A mountain range or hill range is a series of mountains or hills arranged in a line and connected by high ground. A mountain system or mountain belt is a group of mountain ranges with similarity in form, structure, and alignment that have ari ...

of the

Central Eastern Alps The Central Eastern Alps (german: Zentralalpen or Zentrale Ostalpen), also referred to as Austrian Central Alps (german: Österreichische Zentralalpen) or just Central Alps, comprise the main chain of the Eastern Alps in Austria and the adjacen ...

, located at the border between

Vorarlberg Vorarlberg ( , ; gsw, label= Vorarlbergisch, Vorarlbearg, , or ) is the westernmost state () of Austria. It has the second-smallest geographical area after Vienna and, although it also has the second-smallest population, it is the state with th ...

Liechtenstein Liechtenstein (), officially the Principality of Liechtenstein (german: link=no, Fürstentum Liechtenstein), is a German language, German-speaking microstate located in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland. Liechtenstein is a semi-constit ...

and Graubünden. It is the geological border between the Eastern and

Western Alps The Western Alps are the western part of the Alpine Range including the southeastern part of France (e.g. Savoie), the whole of Monaco, the northwestern part of Italy (i.e. Piedmont and the Aosta Valley) and the southwestern part of Switzerland ( ...

and stretches from the Montafon as far as the

Rhine ), Surselva, Graubünden, Switzerland , source1_coordinates= , source1_elevation = , source2 = Rein Posteriur/Hinterrhein , source2_location = Paradies Glacier, Graubünden, Switzerland , source2_coordinates= , source ...

. In the south, the Prättigau is its limit, and in the north, it is the Walgau. In the east, it borders the Silvretta groups. The Rätikon mountain range derives its name from

Raetia Raetia ( ; ; also spelled Rhaetia) was a province of the Roman Empire, named after the Rhaetian people. It bordered on the west with the country of the Helvetii, on the east with Noricum, on the north with Vindelicia, on the south-west ...

, a

province A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman ''provincia'', which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions out ...

of the

Roman Empire The Roman Empire ( la, Imperium Romanum ; grc-gre, Βασιλεία τῶν Ῥωμαίων, Basileía tôn Rhōmaíōn) was the post-Roman Republic, Republican period of ancient Rome. As a polity, it included large territorial holdings aro ...

, named after the Rhaetian ('' Raeti'' or ''Rhaeti'') people.

Topography and geology

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 rock Sedimentary rocks are types of rock that are formed by the accumulation or deposition of mineral or organic particles at Earth's surface, followed by cementation. Sedimentation is the collective name for processes that cause these particles ...

s (

limestone Limestone ( calcium carbonate ) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of . Limestone forms w ...

). From a geological point of view, the north-west Rätikon is assigned to the

Northern Limestone Alps The Northern Limestone Alps (german: Nördliche Kalkalpen), also called the Northern Calcareous Alps, are the ranges of the Eastern Alps north of the Central Eastern Alps located in Austria and the adjacent Bavarian lands of southeastern Germa ...

, while the South-West Rätikon belongs to the Bündner Schist/Bündner slate of the Western Alps.

Peaks

Its chief peaks are: *

Schesaplana The Schesaplana is the highest mountain in the Rätikon mountain range at the border between Vorarlberg, Austria and Graubünden, Switzerland. It has an elevation of . On the north side of the Schesaplana is a glacier called '' Brandner Glets ...

2964 m (9725 ft) *Schiltfluh 2890 m (9482 ft) *

Panüelerkopf The Panüeler Kopf (also called ''Panüler Kopf'', ''Panüeler Kopf'', short ''Panüeler'' or ''Panüler'') is a mountain in the Austrian state Vorarlberg. The Panüeler Kopf is part of the Schesaplana group and with an elevation of the second h ...

2859 m (9380 ft) *

Drusenfluh The Drusenfluh is a mountain in the Rätikon range of the Alps, located on the border between Austria and Switzerland. According to the Swisstopo map, the mountain both includes the 2827 m Drusenfluh on the border and the three peaks named the ' ...

2829 m (9282 ft) *

Madrisahorn The Madrisa (or ''Madrisahorn'') is a mountain in the Rätikon mountain range, overlooking Klosters in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Its summit (2,826 metres) is located near the Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the R ...

2830 m (9285 ft) *

Sulzfluh The Sulzfluh is a mountain in the Rätikon range of the Alps, located on the border between Austria and Switzerland. The closest locality is St. Antönien, on the southern side. It is well known by climbers and has a Via ferrata on the sout ...

2820 m (9252 ft) * Wildberg 2788 m (9147 ft) * Rätschenhorn 2703 m (8868 ft) * Zimbaspitze 2643 m (8678 ft) * Schijenflue 2627 m (8619 ft) *

Vorder Grauspitz The Grauspitz (''Vorder Grauspitze'' or ''Vorder Grauspitz'' on some maps) is a mountain in the Rätikon range of the Alps, located on the border between Liechtenstein and Switzerland. With an elevation of above sea level, the Grauspitz is the ...

2599 m (8528 ft) *

Falknis The Falknis is a mountain in the Rätikon range of the Alps, located on the border between Liechtenstein and Switzerland. It is 8406 ft. (2562 m) at its highest peak. The nearest locality is Balzers. In literature The Falknis is ...

2566 m (8419 ft) * Naafkopf 2571 m (8445 ft) *Hornspitze 2537 m (8323 ft) * Glegghorn 2447 m (8028 ft) * Vilan 2376 m (7795 ft) *

Sassauna The Sassauna is a mountain in the Rätikon range of the Alps, overlooking Schiers Schiers is a Swiss village in the Prättigau and a municipality in the political district Prättigau/Davos Region in the canton of Graubünden. The first concr ...

2308 m (7572 ft) For a list of passes see

Passes of the Silvretta and Rätikon Ranges The chief passes of the Silvretta and Rhatikon Ranges, from the Fuela Pass to the Reschen Scheideck and the Arlberg Pass, are: :''Note: road status .'' See also * List of highest paved roads in Europe * List of mountain passes This is a list ...

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

Neighboring mountain groups

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 The Silvretta Alps are a mountain range of the Central Eastern Alps shared by Tirol, Vorarlberg (both in Austria) and Graubünden (Switzerland). The Austrian states of Tirol and Vorarlberg are connected by a pass road ( Silvretta Hochalpens ...

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

Plessur Alps The Plessur Alps are a mountain range in the Alps of eastern Switzerland. They are considered to be part of the Western Rhaetian Alps. They are named after the river Plessur, which originates from the center of the ranges. The Plessur Alps are sep ...

(Central Alps) * In the west to the

Glarus Alps The Glarus Alps (german: Glarner Alpen) are a mountain range in central Switzerland. They are bordered by the Uri Alps and the Schwyz Alps to the west, the Lepontine Alps to the south, the Appenzell Alps to the northeast. The eastern part of ...

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

Tourism

Because of the many mountains, the Rätikon is a first class area for all alpine sports such as

hiking Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century.AMATO, JOSEPH A. "Mind over Foot: Romantic Walking and Rambling." In ''On Foot: A Histor ...

skiing Skiing is the use of skis to glide on snow. Variations of purpose include basic transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive winter sport. Many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee ( ...

(including freeriding),

cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing is a form of skiing where skiers rely on their own locomotion to move across snow-covered terrain, rather than using ski lifts or other forms of assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreatio ...

mountain biking Mountain biking is a sport of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, usually using specially designed mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and pe ...

, etc. The position of the mountain chain allows for beautiful and panoramic views. The cableways permit shortened ascents and descents and enable pure high-altitude hiking. Thanks to many Alpine shelters ("huts"), daylong or multi-day walks are possible. Many huts are hosted and offer sleeping accommodations. The season usually starts in early April to late September / October, depending on the weather. Before starting a tour, it is advisable to inquire about vacancies and locations at regional tourist offices or in the different villages.

Mountain Huts

Mountain huts operated by the following organizations are found in the Vorarlberg part of the Rätikon:

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

Austrian Alpine Club The Austrian Alpine Club (german: Österreichischer Alpenverein) has about 573,000 members in 196 sections and is the largest mountaineering organisation in Austria. It is responsible for the upkeep of over 234 alpine huts in Austria and neighbo ...

and 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 Liechtenstein's part of the Rätikon, the following huts of the Liechtensteiner Alpenverein may be found: * Gafadurahütte near Nendeln * Pfälzerhütte near Steg In the Graubünden or Grisons Rätikon, huts of the

Swiss Alpine Club The Swiss Alpine Club (german: Schweizer Alpen-Club, french: Club Alpin Suisse, it, Club Alpino Svizzero, rm, Club Alpin Svizzer) is the largest mountaineering club in Switzerland. It was founded in 1863 in Olten and it is now composed of 111 ...

and other mountain houses may be found: * Enderlinhütte near Maienfeld * Schesaplanahütte near Seewis im Prättigau * Carschinahütte near St. Antönien * Mountain huts Sulzfluh and Alpenrösli near St. Antönien

Mountain railways

In Montafon/Vorarlberg: * Lünerseebahn near Brand * Golmerbahn in Vadans/Tschagguns * Bergbahnen Gargellen In Grison/Graubünden: * Älplibahn Malans * Seilbahn Fanas * Madrisa Klosters Bergbahnen

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ratikon Mountain ranges of the Alps Rhaetian Alps Mountain ranges of Vorarlberg Mountain ranges of Switzerland Mountains of Liechtenstein Mountain ranges of Graubünden