Alpen — Rätikon
Rugged mountain peaks, alpine meadows and crystal-clear streams. A hut-to-hut trek for young and old, right on the Austrian–Swiss border.
Facilitated by Mandala Travel
- Where
- Küblis (Switzerland) or Sankt Gallenkirch (Austria)
- How long
- 6 days
- Group
- 2–12 people
- Languages
- Dutch, English
The experience
In the heart of the Rätikon lies a beautiful nature park, a paradise full of rugged peaks, alpine meadows and crystal-clear streams. The area is known for its impressive steep limestone mountains, where alpine rock climbers can indulge themselves.
The route lies on the border of Switzerland and Austria, and in four days you walk right around the Sulzfluh. This trek begins and ends at a beautiful swimming lake. You cross the border twice and each time end up in different landscapes.
The trek starts from the picturesque village of Küblis in Switzerland or from Sankt Gallenkirch in Austria. Both are a gateway to adventures in the Austrian and Swiss Alps, and attract adventurers and those seeking quiet all year round.
The character of this experience
What the facilitator has told us about their own trip. Anything they have not said is simply not here.
- Depth of the experience
- Simply enjoy natureJust being in nature and letting yourself be surprised by what you meet. Wonder, enjoy, let go. A moment away. You will be amazed at what that can do for you.
Who this is for
Said plainly, so you can rule it out as easily as rule it in.
- Suitable for children from age 7 — a good balance between challenge and fun
- Walks of 3 to 5 hours a day, leaving time to play and explore
- Whether you are experienced or setting out for the first time, the route adapts to your pace
- Families with children under 7 — the supplier sets that as the lower age
What's included
Included
- An extensive packing list and tips for physical preparation before you go
- 2 nights in small-scale, more comfortable hotels including breakfast
- Taxi transfer to and from the start of the trek
- An experienced Dutch- or English-speaking mountain guide during the trek
- 3 nights in mountain huts, in a shared dormitory
- Full board in the huts — breakfast, picnic and dinner
- Contribution to the VZR travel guarantee fund
Not included
- Travel to and from the start and end point of the trip
- Other meals and drinks
- Trail snacks such as bars, nuts and chocolate
- Travel insurance with mountain-sports cover (compulsory)
- Cancellation insurance (optional) and personal expenses
Meet your facilitator
Mandala Travel
15 years running experiences
Hanneke van Dal and Leopold Roessingh build small-scale, tailor-made mountain journeys — “slow down, wonder, connect”. For more than fifteen years they have organised trips in the Alps, Himalaya and Atlas, and they still sell every trip as a private departure shaped around the group rather than a fixed schedule. Leopold, who leads the leadership journeys, is co-owner of the climbing organisation Climbing Network; Hanneke develops the leadership programmes with outside facilitators.
Why you can trust this listing
- A person read this listing against a checklist before it went live. It carries the quality stamp only because it passed.
- Every photo above was confirmed as this experience, not stock photography.
- Your money is held in a third-party client account and released to the facilitator 1 day after the experience starts.
Practical details
Including the cancellation terms — visible before you book, not buried at checkout.
Meeting point
Küblis (Switzerland) or Sankt Gallenkirch (Austria), where the pre-trek hotel night is. Travellers arrive by their own car.
What to bring
Broken-in walking boots Warm layers and a waterproof shell — mountain weather turns quickly A daypack of 30–35 litres Water bottle, sun protection and a head torch
Accessibility
Suitable from age 7, with 3 to 5 hours of walking a day and the route adaptable to your pace. Three nights are in shared mountain-hut dormitories.
Cancellation — Moderate
Full refund up to 30 days before the start date.
- More than 30 days before: 100% refund.
- More than 14 days before: 50% refund.
- Inside the last window: 0% refund.
Insurance to consider
Worked out from where this trip goes, how long it lasts and what the terrain is like. Insurance is yours to arrange.
Cancellation cover
Pays back what you cannot get refunded if you have to cancel or cut the trip short, for example through illness.
a.s.r. annuleringsverzekering(opens in a new tab)Medical costs abroad
Pays for a doctor or hospital outside the Netherlands. Your Dutch health insurance may not cover everything abroad.
a.s.r. reisverzekering (via Mountain Beat)(opens in a new tab)Rescue and repatriation
Pays for search, rescue and the journey home after an accident or illness. In remote or mountain areas a helicopter rescue can cost tens of thousands of euros.
NKBV Expeditieverzekering (membership required)(opens in a new tab)
The facilitator has not described the terrain yet, so this is based on the region and length only.
The insurance you actually need depends on your own circumstances, such as the cover you already have. Naturetreats does not sell or recommend insurance: check any policy against your own situation before you travel.