Bernina Diavolezza - Bernina Ospizio Walk 8056
Canton - Graubunden/Grisons - Upper Engadine
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 7.0 km / 4.4 miles
Ascent - 140 metres / 462 feet
Descent - nominal or unknown
Time - 2.00 hours
Grade - easy
Click thumbnails for larger images.
The Bernina Pass has always been one of my favourite landscapes. Barren and rocky with little to encourage farming its always seemed to be a wild place despite the increasing traffic on the road through the Pass. This route is an easy uphill walk allowing you to enjoy the landscape at your leisure. The start and end of the walk are served by regular trains on the Berninabahn from Pontresina to Tirano.
Click thumbnails for larger images.
Alight at Bernina Diavolezza station (2093 m) and follow the clear track on the southwestern side of the railway that runs under the cables of the lift to Diavolezza. The way ahead is easy to follow and climbs gently with excellent views of the surrounding mountains. Continue past Bernina Lagalp station to reach Sur (2136 m). The onward path crosses the railway here as the track makes a large loop in order to lessen the gradient for uphill trains.
Re-crossing the railway the track continues to reach Lej Pitschen (which was completely dry in August). The track then skirts the western shores of Lej Nair which was reflecting the mountains in its surface. Soon after, after a short ascent, you reach Lago Bianco with its pale blue colour in complete contrast to Lej Nair. Turn left along the path around this large reservoir and continue to Bernina Ospizio station (2253 m). Note that there are no refreshments here.
You can continue along the shores of Lago Bianco and down to Alp Grüm by following walk 8055 to create a longer walk.
Suggested Maps
Oberengadin, Bergell-Puschlav, Wanderkarte - 1:50000
Recommended Books
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.
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.