The Silvrettahorn is a beautiful rock pyramid that carries the same name at the rugged mountain group that it is part of. At the base of the mountain there are extensive glaciers. It is not the highest mountain of the Silvretta group, but certainly very representative for the shape of many peaks in this area. The summit of the mountain is marked by a large wooden cross. Climbing this mountain is very rewarding in winter as well as in summer, with an interesting glacier tour (crevasses) to start with, and then some rock scrambling over one of the ridges. The panorama from the summit is spectacular. The Silvrettahorn was first climbed by Jacot, Jegen, and Schlegel (1865). There are routes to the summit from the Wiesbadener Hütte in Austria and the Silvrettahütten in Switzerland.

Routes overview

Via the S ridge:
This is a rock scrambling route from the Egghornlücke (3047m) between the Silvrettahorn and the Silvretta-Egghorn. The route follows the S-ridge with some easy climbing (grade I-II; loose rock). The ridge becomes very narrow near the summit. The Egghornlücke can best be reached from the Wiesbadener Hütte (Glacier tour over the Ochsentaler Gletscher). Alternatively, from the Silvrettahütten (Glacier tour over the Silvretta Gletscher, with a short very steep climb to the col; not recommended).

Via the NW ridge:
Easy route over a broad ridge. This route departs from the Silvrettalücke, which can be reached from the SW (Silvretta Gletscher). The Silvrettalücke cannot be gained from the Austrian side without some serious climbing.

Via the W-ridge:
Somewhat more difficult climbing (grade I-II) than the other routes with much loose and bad rock. Not recommended. Route starts from Silvretta Gletscher.

Via the E-ridge:
The german guidebook praises the E-ridge as one of the finest routes of the Silvretta: grade III. But because of melting ice the approach via the Schneeglocken glacier may be tricky.

Climbing base

From the Austrian side the Wiesbadener Hütte (2443m) is a good starting point. The Silvrettahorn together with Piz Buin dominate the view from the front of the Wiesbadener Hütte. The Wiesbadener Hütte can be reached by a signposted track from Bieler Höhe (3 hours walk). Bieler Höhe has bus connections to Galtür and further to Landeck. Phone: ++43 (0) 5558 4233. Website: http://www.wiesbadener-huette.com/

On the Swiss side the Silvrettahütten is the best climbing base. There is a signposted path to the hut from Klosters (5-5.5 hours walk). Klosters has a railway station. Phone: +41 (0)81 422 13 06 Website: http://www.sac-stgallen.ch/huetten/silvretta.htm

Getting There

From the Austrian side the best starting point to walk to the Wiesbadener Hütte is Bieler Höhe (2036m). This is a broad water shed between the Montafon valley to the NW and the Paznaun valley to the NE. A road passes over the Bieler Höhe (Silvretta Hochalpstrasse) that connects the cities Bludenz (NW) and Landeck (NE). There is a parking at the Bieler Höhe, but also a bus connection to Galtür and further to Landeck at the end of the Paznaun valley. Landeck can be reached by train from Innsbruck, which has an airport.

From the Swiss side the best starting point to walk to the Silvrettahütten is Klosters, which is on the train line between Davos and Landquart. Landquart connects further by frequent fast train services (1-2 hrs traveling time at most) to the cities Chur and Zürich (the latter with airport). See for bus and train connections the CFF website: http://www.cff.ch/ . Alternatively, by car from Zürich take the motorway 3 to Chur and exit at Landquart and follow the road 28 to Klosters.

Red Tape

No permits required, no summit fees.

When To Climb

This mountain can be climbed all year round. However, winter climbs require a much bigger effort than climbs in summer. Contact the Wiesbadener Hütte for guiding details in winter or look in "Bergtouren und Hüttenübergange in der Silvretta vom Madlenerhaus und der Wiesbadener Hütte. 1996, DAV"

Camping

There are a few campings and many hotels in the Prattigau and Paznaun valleys.

Mountain Conditions

Weather
http://www.alpenverein.at/wetter/index.asp

Miscellaneous Info

Maps
Alpenvereinskarte Blatt 26 Silvrettagruppe (1:25:000)
LKS map 249 Tarasp (1:50:000)

Books
Günther Flaig. Silvretta Alpenvereinsführer alpin. 11th edition 1996, Rother, München ISBN 3-7633-1097-5

Bergtouren und Hüttenübergange in der Silvretta vom Madlenerhaus und der Wiesbadener Hütte. 1996, DAV Wiesbaden.

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