Aroser Rothorn
2,980 m
Switzerland
Also known as აროზერ-როტჰორნიAlso known as
აროზერ-როტჰორნი
- Elevation
- 2,980 m
- Prominence
- 1,349 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2Sources differ: T3+ (hikr.org comment (Erzhornsattel side as easiest descent))
The usual way up the highest peak of the Plessur Alps: marked paths from Innerarosa past the Schwellisee and Älplisee to the Erzhornsattel (2,744 m), then the faintly red-marked NE ridge over scree and broken rock with a few demanding steps (T4) to the 2,980 m summit. About 1,150 m of ascent; a long day from Arosa.
About 56% of this line is approximate (no mapped trail; drawn from the terrain). Check it against a map before relying on it.
Why? 4 check notes
- 56% approximate geometry
- ascent 1523 m vs net gain 1133 m (+34%)
- Schwellisee → Älplisee: dem (snap_failed, 2.8 km)
- Älplisee → Erzhornsattel: dem (snap_failed, 1.9 km)
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 8.4 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,523 m
- −390 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 2,980 m
- Time Up
- 6h 55m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 5h 24m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From Innerarosa (about 1,820 m) follow the Mittelbünden-Panoramaweg west into the Plessur valley, past the Schwellisee (1,933 m) and the larches at Arven (2,060 m) to the Älplisee (about 2,160 m). From the lake climb south-west on a path over scree, which can hold snow into summer, to the Erzhornsattel (2,744 m), a signposted saddle between the Erzhorn and the Aroser Rothorn. From the saddle turn west onto the NE ridge, also called the Rothorngrat. It is only faintly marked with red paint and climbs over scree and a shoulder at about 2,848 m; the upper part has a few steeper, more demanding steps on loose ground (T4) before the reddish summit cone. The view covers central Graubünden and the Arosa basin. Descend the same way; the Erzhornsattel side is the easiest. Strong walkers combine the summit with the Parpaner Rothorn and the Rothorn cable car down to Lenzerheide, or traverse from Lenzerheide over the Piz Mez and Pizza Naira (T5 sections).
Start
Innerarosa1,848 m
- Train Chur–Arosa (Rhaetian Railway, about 1 hour), then local bus to Innerarosa.
- Parking at the trailhead
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Innerarosa1,848 m
- Feature: Schwellisee1,932 m
- Feature: Älplisee2,675 m
- Col: Erzhornsattel2,737 m
- Summit: Aroser Rothorn2,980 m
Key Passages
- Scree slope to the Erzhornsattel
- Steeper steps in the upper NE ridge (T4)
- Loose summit cone
Equipment
0/7 packedDownloads
Route confidence 62%Overview
At 2,980 m the highest summit of the Plessur Alps, a reddish scree-and-rock pyramid between Arosa and Lenzerheide. A demanding T4 mountain walk from Arosa via the Älplisee and Erzhornsattel, with a wide view over central Graubünden.
The Aroser Rothorn rises at the head of the Arosa valley on the ridge that separates it from Lenzerheide and the Albula valley. It is the highest point of the Plessur Alps and, with about 1,350 m of prominence, one of the most independent summits in the area. The reddish rock of the summit cone, contrasting with the black schists of the neighbouring Pizza Naira, gives the mountain its name.
There is no official marked path to the top. The usual line climbs from Arosa past the Schwellisee and Älplisee on hiking trails to the Erzhornsattel, then follows the faintly marked NE ridge (Rothorngrat) over scree and broken rock with a few steeper steps. The NW ridge from the Parpaner Rothorn, reached by cable car from Lenzerheide, is shorter but more exposed. In both cases the rock is loose and good footwork matters more than climbing ability.
The summit is also part of long traverses between Lenzerheide and Arosa, and is skied in spring from Lenzerheide.
Climbing Notes
Sure-footedness on steep scree and loose rock and a head for some exposure are needed (T4 on the NE ridge, T4–T5 on the NW ridge). Fitness for about 1,150 m of ascent from Arosa is enough; there is no glacier.
Typical itinerary: train to Arosa, walk via the Schwellisee and Älplisee to the Erzhornsattel and the summit, and return the same way, a full day. Alternatively use the Rothorn cable car from Lenzerheide and combine the Parpaner Rothorn, the NW ridge and the descent to Arosa.
Snow can lie in the scree below the Erzhornsattel into early summer. The summit is exposed to wind; afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; ski tours only
- Feb
- Winter; ski tours from Lenzerheide for experienced parties
- Mar
- Ski touring season
- Apr
- Spring ski touring
- May
- Snow on the ridges
- Jun
- Snow often lingers below the Erzhornsattel
- Jul
- Main season; afternoon thunderstorms
- Aug
- Main season
- Sep
- Often stable weather
- Oct
- Possible before the first snow
- Nov
- Winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Fees
- Paid parking at the Hörnli-Express valley station in Innerarosa
- Rothorn cable car ticket (Lenzerheide)
- Getting There
Arosa; Lenzerheide
Zurich (ZRH)
- Rhaetian Railway Chur–Arosa (about 1 hour), then local bus to Innerarosa
- By car: Chur – St. Peter – Arosa (road 566), paid parking at the Hörnli-Express valley station in Innerarosa
- PostBus Chur–Lenzerheide and the Rothorn cable car for the NW ridge
Hazards
- Exposure
- Rockfall
- Weather