A dark hole, the Gauablickhöhle.
K3 Car-free possible

Sulzfluh, GR

Gauablickhöhle-Klettersteig

The Gauablickhöhle via ferrata climbs the north side of the Sulzfluh in the Rätikon, leading through a spectacular cave system before rejoining the open.

Image: Manfred Kostner

Difficulty

K3

Difficult via ferrata

Current status

Confirmed open

The latest source indicates this route is open

Checked 2 h ago

Total time

14 h 45 min

Approach + via ferrata + descent

Route description The Gauablickhöhle via ferrata climbs the north side of the Sulzfluh in the Rätikon, leading through a spectacular cave system before rejoining the open cliff above. Rated K3, it is easier than the neighboring Sulzfluh ferrata but still requires sure footing, strength and a head lamp for the underground section. It is often linked with the Sulzfluh route to form a full traverse between Prättigau and Montafon, best done with an overnight stay at the Carschina or Tilisuna hut.

The Gauablickhöhle via ferrata climbs the north side of the Sulzfluh in the Rätikon, leading through a spectacular cave system before rejoining the open cliff above. Rated K3, it is easier than the neighboring Sulzfluh ferrata but still requires sure footing, strength and a head lamp for the underground section. It is often linked with the Sulzfluh route to form a full traverse between Prättigau and Montafon, best done with an overnight stay at the Carschina or Tilisuna hut.

Route map

Download GPX

Zoomable topographic map showing available approach, via ferrata, descent, start, finish, and parking geometry. The Download GPX link near the route map heading provides the same route geometry as a file.

Annotated route info/map available from sac-cas.ch.
Start
47.01266, 9.83972
Finish
47.02167, 9.84674
Parking During the summer months it is possible to drive up to parking No. 6, in winter to No. 5 and to P No. 12 in the direction of Gafia. For more information regarding parking private vehicles: https://www.luzein.ch/de/verwaltung/parkplaetze and https://www.luzein.ch/system/files/2020-09/Infoblatt Parkplätze Internet 2020.pdf
46.97285, 9.82815

Approach / VF / Descent

Segment timings and vertical stats from the current VFOS dataset.

Total: 14 h 45 min

Approach

Access
Duration
1 h 30 min
Distance
2.5 km
Ascent
80 m
Descent
700 m
Elevation
-

From the summit of the Sulzfluh, descend the broad north/northeast ridge, which may hold snow in early summer, then bear left near Point 2664 into the Rachen gully. Follow the marked path down through two short, easy rock steps (grade I) until a yellow sign directs you right at about 2150 m, roughly 1½ hours below the summit; roping up is advised here due to rockfall risk near the ferrata start.

Via ferrata

K3
Duration
10 h
Distance
315 m
Ascent
-
Descent
-
Elevation
2,817 m

From the information board at about 2210 m, zigzag up scree to the start of the cables, which climb rock slabs and a short steep rung-assisted step before traversing left into the 350-meter-long Gauablickhöhle. Inside, fixed cables guide the way past a closed-off underground lake to the eastern exit, where steep iron-rung sections alternate with easier ground. A blue-white-blue variant branches off toward the Tilisuna hut and the normal Sulzfluh route, while the main ferrata continues upward, well secured throughout, to the top of the cliff at about 2450 m on the edge of the Karrenfeld plateau.

Descent

Exit
Duration
3 h 15 min
Distance
8.9 km
Ascent
260 m
Descent
1,250 m
Elevation
-

From the top of the ferrata, either climb a further 260 meters and descend through the Gemschtobel to Partnun and on to St. Antönien Rüti, or traverse toward the Tilisuna hut (2208 m) and follow the path past Partnunsee (1869 m) and Partnun back to St. Antönien Rüti in about 2¾ hours.

Total duration
14 h 45 min
Total distance
2.8 km
Total ascent
80 m
Total descent
700 m

Escape points

No escape point details are recorded yet.

Opening season

Typical published season

Source
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Live status source; no fixed annual season was published.

Transport

Plan around the trailhead, parking, and public transport links.

Last lift down

Check operator

Parking

During the summer months it is possible to drive up to parking No. 6, in winter to No. 5 and to P No. 12 in the direction of Gafia. For more information regarding parking private vehicles: https://www.luzein.ch/de/verwaltung/parkplaetze and https://www.luzein.ch/system/files/2020-09/Infoblatt Parkplätze Internet 2020.pdf

During the summer months it is possible to drive up to parking No. 6, in winter to No. 5 and to P No. 12 in the direction of Gafia. For more information regarding parking private vehicles: https://www.luzein.ch/de/verwaltung/parkplaetze and https://www.luzein.ch/system/files/2020-09/Infoblatt Parkplätze Internet 2020.pdf

Coordinates
46.97285, 9.82815

Bus

St. Antönien, Rüti

Bus Alpin im Sommer. Weitere Informationen: https://busalpin.ch/regionen/pany-st-antoenien/sommer

Coordinates
46.97285, 9.82815

Route feel

VFOS editorial ratings on a 1-5 scale.

Ratings -

Variety

How much the route changes in movement and terrain.

- -

Complexity

Route-finding and technical problem-solving beyond pure grade.

- -

Beauty

Scenery, setting, and overall aesthetic quality.

- -

Exposure

Airiness and exposure independent of technical difficulty.

- -

Sustained effort

How continuous or relentless the physical effort feels.

- -

Crux tags

No crux tags are recorded yet.

SAC-CAS route profile

Source ratings on the SAC-CAS 1-4 scale.

Official source
Mountain experience
3/4
Power
3/4
Endurance
3/4
Psyche
3/4

Photos

1 source photos
A dark hole, the Gauablickhöhle.
A dark hole, the Gauablickhöhle.© Manfred Kostner

Safety notes

Check current local information before setting off.

Rega 1414

Emergency

In Switzerland, call Rega on 1414 for mountain rescue. European emergency number: 112.

Mobile signal

Cell coverage can be patchy in gorges, valleys, and behind ridges. Download route notes and tell someone your plan.

Storms

Avoid thunderstorms and wet rock. Via ferrata cables can become hazardous quickly in poor weather.

Sources & data Attribution, source priority, and field-review status for this route.

Referenced sources

  • Opening season · Prättigau Tourismus

    https://www.praettigau.info/de/touren/klettersteig-gauablickhoehle

    Official

    Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Opening-season source retained for status provenance.

  • SAC-CAS approach

    https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/sulzfluh-1911/berg-und-alpinwandern/zustieg-zum-gauablickhoehlen-klettersteig-von-der-sulzfluh-861/

    Official

    Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.

  • SAC-CAS return

    https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/sulzfluh-1911/berg-und-alpinwandern/abstieg-gauablickhoehle-klettersteig-nach-st-antoenien-862/

    Official

    Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.

  • SAC-CAS via ferrata

    https://www.sac-cas.ch/de/huetten-und-touren/sac-tourenportal/sulzfluh-1911/klettersteig/gauablickhoehle-klettersteig-676/

    Official

    Last scraped: 2 Aug 2026 · Official SAC-CAS Route Portal source; English API data and attribution retained.

Field review

No contested fields are currently flagged.

At a glance

Location
Sulzfluh, GR
Elevation range
2,817 m
Car-free possible
Yes

Weather

Trailhead forecast