Bernina-Tour

The third stage of the Bernina Tour begins at the Diavolezza mountain station at 2,972 metres above sea level, where vegetation only grows sparsely between the rocks. The views of Piz Palü, with its three peaks, and Piz Bernina are breathtaking. The Vadret Pers glacier at the foot of Piz Palü flows towards the better-known Morteratsch glacier like a silver beard. The first part of the stage down into the Val Bernina is done by cable car.

It's just a few steps from the Diavolezza valley station to the Rhaetian Railway station. Following the railway tracks and the pass road for a short while, you reach the wooden bridge that leads over the Ova da Bernina. The mountain stream has cut deeply into the rock here. With a bit of luck, you can observe ibex, chamois, red deer or even golden eagles and bearded vultures in the Bernina-Albris hunting area.

On a gravel road, you hike gently up the Val da Fain through hilly cow pastures. The valley is known for its magnificent alpine flora and marmots. Piz Albris rises steeply on the left and Piz Alv on the right. In the Val Pischa, a trail branches off to the left. You now climb 700 metres on a narrow, well-trodden path to Fuorcla Pischa at 2,860 metres, with spectacular waterfalls tumbling down from the Lej da Pischa. Tiny mountain streams flow beside the trail, and the pastures give way to a landscape of rocky screes. In good weather, Lago Bianco, Lej Nair and Lej Pitschen are visible in the distance.

At altitude, views of the long Val da Fain open up. A few slightly exposed sections are secured with ropes. The highest point of the hike is reached at Fuorcla Pischa. From here, the second half of the route heads downhill. A narrow path follows through a barren stone desert characterized by lakes and streams.

The Muot dals Lejs, a beautiful plateau, is framed on the left and right by the Crasta Languard and Piz Albris. Here you enjoy fantastic views of Piz Bever. The descent to Lej Languard is next. The water of this beautiful lake at 2,600 metres above sea level is so clear that the bottom sometimes shines through the turquoise. In the Val Languard, the trail partly follows the stream of the same name through stony grasslands. On narrow paths along the slope, you reach Alp Languard and the mountain station of the chairlift.

From the mountain station, there are still 500 vertical metres to overcome to the finish. Still leisurely with breathtaking views of the Bernina massif at first, the steep zigzag path soon follows. It leads back below the tree line and down to Pontresina. The spa town, surrounded by fragrant fir and larch forests, lies in the highest side valley of the Upper Engadine. Passing the little church of Santa Maria and the chairlift valley station, you reach the village with its stylish old Engadine houses.