Bernina route

The Bernina route offers wonderful views of all glaciers in the Bernina massif. The route leads from the Mediterranean Poschiavo over the Bernina Pass and Diavolezza to Pontresina, further up to Fuorcla Surlej with views of the Biancograt, Piz Bernina and Piz Roseg and down to Sils with views over the Engadine lake landscape. From Sils on the Via Engadina to Maloja and onwards over the Murettopass to the southern side of the Bernina chain on Italian soil and back to the starting point Poschiavo.

The start is in Poschiavo at 1021 meters above sea level and leads along the UNESCO World Heritage route of the Rhaetian Railway to the Bernina Pass at 2328 m, via the glacier garden of Cavaglia with its glacial mills and Alp Grüm with a first view of the east side of the Bernina massif. A rest break on a flat and wide path along Lago Bianco relaxes the muscles for the further 1,000 meters ascent to Munt Pers at 3207 meters, where a fantastic view of the Pers and Morteratsch glaciers awaits.

Back at the Diavolezza mountain station, the path leads down past Lej da Diavolezza to the valley station. After crossing the main road, the steep ascent to Fuorcla Pischa at 2835 m begins. On the descent to Pontresina, catering options can be found at Chamanna Paradies (detour) and Restaurant Alp Languard. After leaving the mountain climbing village Pontresina, you enter the lovely Val Roseg at the height of the train station. Before the Hotel Restaurant Val Roseg, the path turns right and climbs to Fuorcla Surlej with views of Lej da Vadret and the Biancograt of Piz Bernina on the left side. After Fuorcla Surlej, the broad path leads to the middle station of the Corvatsch cable car. The path then descends steeply for a stretch and traverses the mountain slope to Alp Prasüra and down to the cultural village Sils. Passing the church of Sils Baselgia, the route leads to the left valley side on Via Engiadina, past the Heidi village Grevasalvas to Maloja.

Along Lägh da Cavloc towards the Forno glacier, you reach the junction to the left towards Murettopass at 2559 m, on a former connecting path between Switzerland and Italy. A wide path leads down to Alpe dell'Oro and the Italian village Chiareggio. Over the pastures of Alpe Fora, the path climbs again to the panorama plateau of Rifugio Longoni, before descending again over the scree slopes of Alpe Sasso Nero to Lago Palù at 1947 m. From there the path climbs again over Bocchel de Torno and through extensive forests and alpine meadows to the Campascio and Musella alpines. On the old mule track, it goes towards Rifugio Carate Brianza, before the path turns right and leads through a stony landscape to Rifugio Bignami: on this section, the southern side of the Bernina with its glaciers can be admired. Via Alpe Gembré on the shore of Lago di Gera, you reach Pass da Confinale, the border crossing back into Switzerland. Here begins the long, steep descent down to Poschiavo.

Detour: from Sils along Lake Silsersee and following it to Isola and onwards to Maloja. Those who wish can also take the boat from Sils boathouse and comfortably go to Maloja by boat.

Further information
Engadin Tourism AG
Via Maistra 1
CH-7500 St. Moritz
Phone: +41 81 830 00 01
E-mail: allegra@engadin.ch
Website: www.engadin.ch 

Booking
Eurotrek AG
Zürcherstrasse 42
CH-8103 Unterengstringen
Phone: +41 44 316 10 00
E-mail: eurotrek@eurotrek.ch 
Website:  www.eurotrek.ch/de/ch-bernina-trailrunning-5-4