The Val Morteratsch - Created by glaciers

Next stop: the Val Morteratsch. The Rhaetian Railway trains take visitors direct to the entrance of this original and unspoiled side valley. A cross-country ski trail from Pontresina also leads here in the Winter. The Valley itself is then the setting for the longest glacial downhill run in Switzerland.

Visitors wishing to experience the magic of the snow-covered Val Morteratsch in a relaxed manner can also hike along the Morteratsch Glacier Trail directly from the bus stop up into the Valley in Winter. There are 16 stations all providing information on the Morteratsch Glacier, which has now retreated further and further back over the last few decades, revealing an archaic, wild landscape. The children's book "Sabi's Big Dream" also makes it ideal for families. A highlight in the Summer is the Morteratsch Alpine Cheese Dairy.

Natural surroundings can be enjoyed in one of the oldest climbing gardens in the Engadin, or in hiking boots for example on the short Cascada da Bernina Waterfall Trail, along a magically varied and cascading waterfall. Or, otherwise on a day trip to the Chamanna da Boval. This is a ‘SAC’-Swiss Alpine Club mountain chalet offering a spectacular panorama of the Bernina Glaciers Adventure Region . The Val Morteratsch has a magic all of its own in the Autumn, when the larch trees glow in warm colours.

Waterfall path Cascada da Bernina

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Glacier retreat and shrinkage

The Morteratsch Glacier was only a few hundred metres away from the railway station when the Bernina Railway began operating between Pontresina and Italy at the beginning of the 20th century. Since then, distance has become ever greater. The ice mass has retreated around 2.5 kilometres due to man-made climate change. Where the ice is melting, new life is beginning to grow. Anyone hiking up the Val Morteratsch today can observe how nature has taken over during the decades. It is a journey from the past to the present. At the bottom, where the soil has long become fertile, Swiss stone pine trees, larches, alpine roses and blueberries are growing. Towards the uplands , the vegetation becomes less and less luxuriant , but all the more enchanting in its biodiversity. Everything seems sparse and archaic here. Even when the last ‘flora’ gives way to a world entirely of rock and ice.