Swissweg route takes hikers to Rätikon’s highest summit

A mountain hiking route from the Schesaplanahütte to the Schesaplana summit combines steep grassy slopes, unusual rock formations and exposed passages, SRF reports. The circular hike leads to the 2,964-metre summit, the highest mountain in the Rätikon.

The adventure begins behind the Schesaplanahütte, where a blue and white marked trail climbs steeply across grassy slopes. Although the rock barrier above the hut appears almost impossible to cross, the Schweizerweg follows a surprisingly elegant line through the rocky terrain.

The route reaches about 2,427 metres before the landscape changes sharply. Vegetation almost disappears, replaced by scree fields and bands of rock. The rock layers continue up to the Schesaplanasattel, a mountain saddle below the summit.

From there, hikers face one final steep climb to the Schesaplana. The summit lies on the border between Graubünden and Vorarlberg and offers views of deeply cut valleys, the Silvretta and the Verwall. In clear weather, the Glarus Alps are also visible.

The descent initially follows the route back for a short distance before heading east across the Totalp to the Gamsluggen. Several sections secured with chains require concentration before the trail joins the Prättigau Höhenweg and returns to the Schesaplanahütte.

The route is technically manageable despite its dramatic appearance, but hikers should be sure-footed and comfortable with heights. From the hut, visitors can also rent scooters for a fast descent of about 1,000 metres to Seewis village, the starting point of the hike.

Seewis in the Prättigau is a mountain village in the canton of Graubünden. Reaching the Schesaplanahütte from the village involves about 1,000 metres of ascent and around four hours of walking, while the climb can be made faster by bike.