Murtaröl

Overview

Murtaröl above Val Cluoz

Murtaröl is arguably the northernmost mountain of the Livigno Alps, arguably because there are quite a number of bumps north of it, which, however are unnamed and quite often are attributed to Murtaröl as side or secondary summits. Thus, our mountain is long stretched and round topped along its north-south crest but comparativelly sharp peaked when climbed from east-to west. At 2579m it is far lower than the main summits of the Livigno Alps; nevertheless you'll have to scale more than 1100m even from the closest trailhead at the village of Zernez.

In fact Murtaröl is one of the backdrop mountains of this crossroads village, where three mountain groups touch directly (Livigno Alps, Sesvenna Group, Albula Alps) and two more rise in less than 20km distance (Ortler / Ortles Group, Silvretta). The village is home to Europe's oldest national park, the Swiss National Park / Parc Naziunal Svizzer, which stretches across the groups and has its largest area inside the Livigno Alps. Murtaröl is located inside the park and thus only reachable by the established hiking trails.

Murtaröl rises above Oberengadin on a north-south running ridge, which eventually leads to the much higher Piz Quattervals. The lower 600m of that ridge are covered by pine forests while everything above 2000m carries little more than dwarf pines. The mountain is made up from very brittle limestone, which can be most easily seen on the ridge north of the summit, where erosion has carved several side summits out of the crest.

The main summit is located north of a cirque which lies at the feet of Piz Quattervals. It exceeds this cirque only by less than 100m elevation but still figures as a distinct summit. It offers views across the Zernez Basin and across the Oberengadin Valley. On a fine day Piz Linard in the Silvretta Group can be seen rising directly above Zernez Village in the north.

Getting There

Murtaröl is most easily climbed from Zerrnez in Unterengadin / Bassa Engadina. As one of the major intersections in the area it can be reached from many sides.

From Switzerland:

• Take motorways A3 and A13 to Landquart
  
• Switch to B28 across Flüelapass to Susch.
  
• Here turn south (still B28) to Zernez

From Austria:

• Take motorway A12 to Landeck
  
• Switch to B180 to Pfunds
  
• A bit after the village switch to B184, which turns into B27 after you cross the Swiss - Austrian border
  
• At Susch switch to B28 to Zernez

From Italy:

• Take motorway A22 to Bozen / Bolzano
  
• Switch to SS38, passing Meran / Merano to Schluderns / Sluderno
  
• Turn west onto SS41, which turns into B28 after the Swiss - Italian border across Ofenpass / Pass dal Fuorn to Zernez

Route

The route starts east of Zernez on the road to Ofenpass / Pass dal Fuorn. It traverses picturesque meadows before heading out towards Val Cluoz. Instead of heading into the valley the path starts to rise through pine and larch trees until it reaches Chamanna Bellavista, a privately owned hut at 2039m. Here the trail splits:

• to the left a path heads into Val Cluoz
  
• to the right another path heads out onto the Murtaröl West Slopes above Oberengadin and turns east to reach the summit from there
  
• The straight routes stays on the Murtaröl North Ridge, heading for the summit directly. It negotiates several side summits (mostly staying on the eastern side) before reaching the summit meadow on the broad top.

Red Tape

Murtaröl is located in Swiss National Park. By no means you are allowed to leave trails or to take anything out of the environment. The national park is known for its thriving wildlife. You can find deer, ibexes and chamoix as well as the occasional brown bear or different species of bird of prey. Take care to protect their habitat.

When to Climb

Murtaröl can be almost climbed all year round. Take care in the winter season because of avalanches. However, the ridge traverse along the north ridge is a wonderful, not too difficult ski tour.

Accommodation

• Engadin
  
• Davos
  
• Klosters
  
• Lavin
  
• Guarda
  
• Ardez
  
• Scuol
  
• Ramosch

Weather Conditions

Maps & Books

Maps

• Digital Maps
  • www.swissgeo.ch
    
  • www.austrianmap.at
  
  
• Regular Maps
  • Unterengadin-Nationalpark
    Kompass Map WK 98
    1:50.000
    ISBN: 3-85491-331-1
    
  • Nationalpark Zernez,
    Swisstopo Map 459T
    1:50000
    ISBN: 978-9602125731
    

Books

• Unterengadin
  Rudolf Weiss / Siegrun Weiss
  Rother Verlag
  ISBN: 3-7633-4043-2
  
• Oberengadin
  Rudolf & Siegrun Weiss
  Rother Verlag
  ISBN: 978-3-7633-4042-2

Images

View Murtaröl Image Gallery - 15 Images