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.
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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
Tour of Monte Rosa
A guidebook to walking the The Tour of Monte Rosa, a 9-10 day, 134km trek circling Monte Rosa anti-clockwise from Zermatt. The high route hugs glaciers and has views of over ten 4000ers. All essential information is provided, including outline maps, route profiles, advice on glacier crossing and accommodation.
Tour of the Matterhorn
A guide to the 145km Tour of the Matterhorn, described anti-clockwise from Zermatt and visits 6 valleys via Zinal, Arolla and Breuil, offering spectacular views of 25 peaks of over 4000m. The route also links up with the Chamonix to Zermatt walkers' Haute Route and the Tour of Monte Rosa. Includes two glacier crossings and takes 8 to 10 days.