ROUTE 4
Douglass Hut (1976m) – Cavelljoch (2239m) – Douglass Hut
Start Douglass Hut (1976m)
Valley base Brand
Distance 8km
Height gain 263m
Height loss 263m
Grade 2
Time 3hrs
Location South of the Lünersee

The Cavelljoch is a broad saddle on the Austro–Swiss border flanked by the abrupt west wall of the Kirchlispitzen. In the early summer the saddle is ablaze with alpine flowers, and views are beautiful both north and south. An easy but extremely pleasant walk leads to it from the Douglass Hut.

Image

Cotton grass betrays a marshy area above the Lünersee Alm

Take the lakeside path in either direction as far as the Lünersee Alm on the south side of the lake, to find a signed junction (50–60mins). Follow the trail which rises to the rear of the hut into a hanging valley, and at the next junction 5mins later, branch half-right and mount grass slopes above a marshy area to gain the saddle of the Cavelljoch about 40–50mins from the Lünersee Alm. On a calm day this is a very pleasant site for a picnic. To return to the Douglass Hut (1½hrs) reverse the outward route, but take a different lakeside path for variety.

Cutting across the southern flank of the mountains the path of the Rätikon Höhenweg Sud is the Swiss equivalent of the Rätikon Höhenweg Nord described below. By following this trail westward, the Schesaplana Hut can be reached in 1hr 45mins; to the east the Carschina Hut is 3hrs away.