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 aris ...

of the Central Eastern Alps, located at the border between

Vorarlberg Vorarlberg ( ; ; , , or ) is the westernmost States of Austria, 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 the second-highest popu ...

Liechtenstein Liechtenstein (, ; ; ), officially the Principality of Liechtenstein ( ), is a Landlocked country#Doubly landlocked, doubly landlocked Swiss Standard German, German-speaking microstate in the Central European Alps, between Austria in the east ...

and Graubünden. It is the geological border between the Eastern and Western Alps and stretches from the Montafon as far as the

Rhine The Rhine ( ) is one of the List of rivers of Europe, major rivers in Europe. The river begins in the Swiss canton of Graubünden in the southeastern Swiss Alps. It forms part of the Swiss-Liechtenstein border, then part of the Austria–Swit ...

. 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 or 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 with Transalpine ...

, a

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

of the

Roman Empire The Roman Empire ruled the Mediterranean and much of Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. The Roman people, Romans conquered most of this during the Roman Republic, Republic, and it was ruled by emperors following Octavian's assumption of ...

, 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 (geology), rock formed by the cementation (geology), cementation of sediments—i.e. particles made of minerals (geological detritus) or organic matter (biological detritus)—that have been accumulated or de ...

s (

limestone Limestone is a type of carbonate rock, carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material Lime (material), lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different Polymorphism (materials science) ...

). From a geological point of view, the north-west Rätikon is assigned to the Northern Limestone Alps, while the South-West Rätikon belongs to the Bündner Schist/Bündner slate of the Western Alps.

Peaks

Its chief peaks are: * Schesaplana 2964 m (9725 ft) *Schiltfluh 2890 m (9482 ft) * Panüelerkopf 2859 m (9380 ft) * Drusenfluh 2829 m (9282 ft) * Madrisahorn 2830 m (9285 ft) * Sulzfluh 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 2599 m (8528 ft) * Falknis 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 2308 m (7572 ft) For a list of passes see Passes of the Silvretta and Rätikon Ranges. 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 Tyrol (state), Tirol, Vorarlberg (both in Austria) and Graubünden (Switzerland). The Austrian States of Austria, states of Tirol and Vorarlberg are connected by a pass ...

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

Glarus Alps The Glarus Alps () 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 the Glarus Alps contains ...

(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 A hike is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century. Long hikes as part of a religious pilgrimage have existed for a much longer time. "Hi ...

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

(including freeriding),

cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing is a form of skiing whereby skiers traverse snow-covered terrain without use of ski lifts or other assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreational activity; however, some still use it as a m ...

mountain biking Mountain biking (MTB) 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 ...

, 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, Austrian Alpine Club 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 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

External links

Rätikon on kamdoalp.cz

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