Schesaplana Mountain

Address: Schesaplana (mountain), Rätikon range - border area of Graubünden (Switzerland) / Vorarlberg (Austria)

Schesaplana is a mountain peak in the Rätikon range of the Alps on the border between eastern Switzerland and western Austria. It reaches an elevation of 2,964 metres and is the highest summit in the Rätikon.

Marked trails and alpine routes lead to the summit from the Swiss side in Graubünden and the Austrian side in Vorarlberg; the ascent involves long hikes with sections of exposed ground and scrambling depending on the line. Hikers climb for panoramic views across the Alpine Rhine valley and neighboring ranges.

The peak has been part of traditional alpine mountaineering and local pasture use for centuries; alpine huts near the massif have supported ascents and shepherding activities. Over time established footpaths and marked routes have made the mountain a regular objective for experienced hikers.

Schesaplana sits on the watershed ridge between Switzerland and Austria in the Rätikon, above valleys leading to the Alpine Rhine. The nearest Swiss settlements are in the canton of Graubünden, with the nearest larger towns several tens of kilometres away along valley roads.

• Elevation: Summit elevation 2,964 metres, making it the highest peak of the Rätikon range.
• Routes: Accessible from both Swiss and Austrian sides with marked alpine routes and a mountain hut used by hikers and climbers.

• Start early from the Lünersee/Mannheimer Hütte side (access via the Brand/Lünersee cable car on the Austrian side) and plan to summit before the common afternoon thunderstorm window.
• Use the Mannheimer Hütte as your base or waypoint - it's the standard hut for the normal Schesaplana routes and saves much of the ascent in a single day.
• Don't miss the views over the Lünersee from the summit ridge; many day visitors return the same way and miss the quieter stretches of the Rätikon that lie away from the hut approach.
• Aim for the summer months when the alpine path is typically snow‑free and the alpine huts are staffed; check hut opening status and cable car timetables before you go.