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ROUTE 11

Wiesbadener Hut (2443m) – Litzner Sattel (2737m) – Saarbrucker Hut (2538m)

Start	Wiesbadener Hut (2443m)
Valley base	Bielerhöhe
Distance	10km
Height gain	696m
Height loss	641m
Grade	3
Time	4½hrs
Location	Northwest of the Wiesbadener Hut

Classified as an ‘Alpine route’ suitable for experienced mountain walkers only, this is a popular cross-country trek for climbers moving from one hut to the next. The Litzner Sattel lies in a ridge running northeast of the elegant rock pinnacle of the Gross Litzner, and on its northern side lie the remnants of a small glacier – mostly snow now, but it could be icy in its upper reaches.

From the Wiesbadener Hut (see Route 12) walk down the track/dirt road to the southern end of the Silvretta Stausee reservoir. Cross the bridge over the torrent which drains the Ochsental, and at the next junction branch left into the Klostertal (about 1hr to here).

A good path keeps to the left of the Klostertaler Bach, and about 45mins after entering the valley, you come to a sign stating that the unmanned Klostertaler Hut is just 20mins ahead. Fork right here on a narrow trail which soon crosses two branches of the stream on what was found to be a somewhat dubious footbridge during research.

The trail now weaves alongside the stream, then climbs a steep grass slope in the little side valley known as the Verhupftäli. Where there are brief rock slabs to mount, fixed ropes provide aid, and once you’ve climbed above these the way continues up to a plateau at about 2500m. This leads to the upper basin which is topped by the ridge connecting the Gross Litzner to the Sattelkopf and Verhupfspitz.

A line of small cairns and waymarks direct the path up a steep ramp of rocks to a prominent cairn. Bear left (west) along the ridge, descend to a saddle and pass along the left-hand side of a small lake, then curve north to reach the Litzner Sattel (about 3½hrs from the Wiesbadener Hut).

Descend the northern side of the pass to a steep snow slope (caution). Angle a little leftwards down this slope, and at the foot of the snow you’ll find blue and white waymarks taking the trail down to a second snow slope. Below this more waymarks lead into a basin below the Saarbrucker Hut. Join its service road/track and follow it up to the hut, whose details are found under Route 10.