Madrisahorn

From the car park near Dörfji in the Gafia valley above St. Antönien (about 1,650 m; bus stop 'Gafia Dörfji') walk up the gravel road or the marked path on the left bank past the Litzistafel to the Berghaus Edelweiss at Gafia (about 1,760 m), then south-west above the Gafierbach to a signpost at about 2,000 m (about 45 minutes in all). A mountain path climbs south below the Butzchammera and steeply through a rock step with rope handrails to the Unghürtschuggen signpost (P. 2303, junction for the Gafier Joch and Rätschenjoch). Continue about 250 m towards the Rätschenjoch, past a small doline, to a cairn on a rock at 2,358 m, about 2 hours from the start. Here the marked path is left. Head south into a broad scree gully with occasional tracks, faded red-white and old orange marks, pass the small rock head P. 2483 on its right, then climb grass, sand and a wide scree field (up to about 30°), with one or two old snowfields steepening to about 35° near the top, to the saddle on the west ridge east of P. 2484. Follow the ridge east over large blocks (easy climbing, I) to the summit cairn, about 1½ hours from the cairn. The fine scree is tiring: two steps up, one back. Descend the same way (about 1¼ hours back to the cairn). A marked T3+ path continues west from the cairn area to the Rätschenjoch (2,602 m) and the Rätschenhorn, which can be added. The west ridge direct from the Rätschenjoch is harder (T5, II, loose blocks) and several parties have turned back on it.