Morteratsch Glacier Trail from the Station

What it is

The Morteratsch Glacier Trail is an easy walk along the floor of the Morteratsch valley, near Pontresina, from the railway station to the glacier tongue. What makes it different is what it tells you along the way: along the route, 16 information points mark where the ice reached in different years. When the Bernina railway opened, in the early 20th century, the glacier was a few hundred metres from the station; since then it has retreated about 2.5 km.

You literally walk over the ground the glacier covered a few decades ago, and see with your own eyes what melting means.

The route step by step

1. Start at Morteratsch station: the Rhätische Bahn trains on the Bernina line stop at the mouth of the valley. At the mouth of the valley is the Restaurant Morteratsch.
2. The valley floor: a wide path climbs gently between larches and pines, following the stream. You pass the panels with the dates.
3. The moraine: the forest opens out and the terrain turns to stone and gravel, left behind by the ice as it withdrew.
4. The glacier tongue: you reach the ice front, with Piz Bernina and Piz Palü at the head of the valley.
5. Return: back the same way to the station.

According to Engadin St. Moritz Tourismus it is 2.9 km and about 50 minutes to the glacier, with 130 m of ascent. Out and back, about 5.8 km and a little under two hours with stops.

When to go

In summer and autumn, when the path is free of snow. In autumn the larches turn golden and the valley is at its best. In summer, an alpine cheese dairy operates at the Morteratsch farm and can be visited.

In winter the valley stays open: the glacier path can be walked from the station over the snow, and there is a cross-country ski trail from Pontresina. The valley is also the end of the longest glacier ski descent in Switzerland, which comes down from the Diavolezza.

With children, pushchairs and dogs

It is an ideal outing with small children: short, almost flat and with a story that explains itself. For families, Pontresina recommends the children's booklet "Sabis grosser Traum", which accompanies the route. The path is wide; you can manage with a pushchair, although the last stretch over the moraine is loose stone. Dogs are welcome, on a lead.

Eating and drinking

The Restaurant Morteratsch, at the mouth of the valley, serves mostly home cooking. Beside the Morteratsch campsite is the Restaurant Aratsch. Carry water in summer: there is almost no shade in the upper part.

Getting there

By train, the Bernina line stops at Morteratsch, a few minutes from Pontresina. It is the most convenient way to get there. By car, the station is beside the Bernina Pass road.

Other routes from here

If you want more, the path to the Chamanna da Boval, a mountain hut with a terrace, leaves from the valley, for a day excursion. And very close to the station, a short trail leads to the Bernina waterfall (Cascada da Bernina).