Morterasch - Boval Hutte - MorteraschWalk 8025
Canton - Graubunden/Grisons - Upper Engadine
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 11.5 km / 7.2 miles
Ascent - 650 metres / 2145 feet
Descent - 650 metres / 2145 feet
Time - 5.00 hours
Grade - moderate
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A walk into the mountains that includes excellent views of glaciers and the mountain range that includes Piz Bernina, which is the only 4000+ metre peak in Graubünden.
Click thumbnails for larger images.
Start & End - Morterasch station on the Bernina Railway. Trains operate from Pontresina to Alp Grüm with connections from other parts of the Engadine. See Transport Map for the Upper Engadine Region.
Leave the railway station and take the broad track that goes south towards the foot of the Morterasch Glacier. Look out for a wooden sign on your right that directs you to the Boval Hütte and take this narrower path that leads into forest.
The path begins to climb through the trees to reach a path junction where you keep left. The views improve as the trees become more widely spaced with the foot of the Morterasch Glacier down to your left.
Ahead a wonderful mountain vista helps you forget the climb. Some sections of the path follow the moraine but the policy appears to be diverting walkers to a parallel path off the moraine. After a steady climb you begin to gain height more quickly with the path zigzagging up the mountainside with some fixed cables in exposed sections.
Levelling off again you might think the Boval Hütte is close but sadly there is one final section of steep ascent up to the hut, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of mountains and glaciers.
A leisurely stay is recommended before returning by the outward route back to Morterasch station.
Suggested Maps
Landeskarte der Schweiz - 1:50000 - Sheet SW 5013 - Oberengadin - Engiadin'Ota
Landeskarte der Schweiz - 1:25000 - Sheet SW 2521 - Engadin
Oberengadin, Bergell-Puschlav, Wanderkarte - 1:50000
Recommended Books
The Swiss Alpine Pass Route - Via Alpina Route 1
Guidebook to the Alpine Pass Route following the Swiss Via Alpina 1, a 360km trek east-west across Switzerland, from Sargans, on the border of Liechtenstein, to Montreux, including prologue from Liechtenstein. A demanding 3-week trek described in 18 stages, crossing 16 passes including the 2778m Hohtürli. Requires good fitness and experience.
The Tour of the Bernina
Guidebook describing a 9-stage (119km) route around the Piz Bernina massif in the Alps on the Swiss-Italian border near St Moritz, and the 8-stage (94km) Alta Via Valmalenco exploring the Valmalenco valley, in the shadow of Monte Disgrazia. The Tour of the Bernina is suitable for first-time trekkers but the Alta Via needs some experience.