Rätikon Mountains

The Rätikon is a limestone subrange of the Alps along the borders of Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland in the Eastern Alps. It is noted for steep cliffs, narrow ridges and a mix of hiking, scrambling and technical climbing routes.

Prominent summits include Schesaplana (2,964 m) and a series of dramatic faces such as Drusenfluh and the Drei Schwestern. The range supports marked trails and a system of alpine huts that allow multi-day traverses and access to via ferrata lines and climbing routes.

The Rätikon’s rock is marine-derived limestone uplifted during Alpine orogeny; the mountains have been used for pasture, mountaineering and strategic local travel for centuries. Modern recreational climbing and alpine tourism developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Geographically the range forms a compact mountain belt at the tripoint area between Vorarlberg (Austria), the Swiss canton of Graubünden and the Principality of Liechtenstein, rising sharply above nearby valleys and forming part of the eastern Swiss-Austrian frontier.

• Terrain: Predominantly limestone terrain produces steep cliffs and sharp ridgelines popular with climbers and via ferrata enthusiasts; route difficulty ranges from marked mountain paths to technical rock climbs.

What to See#

• Schesaplana (2,964 m): Schesaplana, the range’s highest summit at 2,964 metres, forming a prominent limestone massif with marked alpine ridges and accessible hiking routes from both Austrian and Swiss sides.
• Notable peaks and faces: Drusenfluh and Drei Schwestern - steep limestone faces popular with multi-pitch climbers and scramblers; routes vary from hiking paths to technical climbing.
• Huts and trails: A network of alpine huts and marked mountain trails providing access for multi-day crossings, via ferrata routes and day hikes across the limestone ridgelines.

The Rätikon mountain range (on the Austria-Liechtenstein-Switzerland border) is accessed from several Austrian base towns such as Feldkirch or Bludenz. To reach trailheads on the Austrian side, travel by car via the A14/S16 region roads to these towns and then follow local mountain roads to villages and parking areas. Alternatively, take regional trains to Feldkirch or Bludenz and continue by local PostBus/regional bus services or taxi to specific trailheads.

• Visit in high summer (late June-September) for the most dependable alpine conditions; snow and unstable weather make many routes hazardous outside this window.
• Start hikes very early to avoid the region's frequent afternoon thunderstorms and to ensure you have daylight for ridge traverses common in the Rätikon.
• Use established alpine huts and marked trails managed by local alpine clubs, and consult recent route descriptions before attempting exposed ridges or via ferrata sections.