Bernina-Tour

This relatively short stage of the Bernina Tour begins at the highest railway station of the Rhaetian Railway above the Lago Bianco reservoir. A little higher up, the Bernina Hospiz lies on the wind-exposed pass road at 2,310 metres. It has been a resting and transhipment point for travellers for centuries.

Above the tracks of the Rhaetian Railway, you hike past boulders around the northern end of Lago Bianco. It owes its name to the whitish colouring caused by the inflow from the Cambrena glacier. The language border between the Romansh-speaking Engadine and the Italian Val Poschiavo as well as the watershed lie level with the dam. From Lej Nair, the water eventually flows into the Black Sea, and from Lago Bianco, it finds its way into the Adriatic Sea.

The route leads along Lej Nair on flat gravel paths and through stony grasslands with beautiful alpine flora. At Lej Pitschen, the Bernina Route branches off to the left. The steep ascent begins on a narrow path. The trail leads into the Val d'Arlas. On the scree slope lies small, turquoise-coloured Lej d'Arlas. On the ridge walk next to Lej da Diavolezza, the views extend back to the watershed in the valley, the peaks of Piz Lagalb and Piz Alv and Lej da Diavolezza surrounded by rocks. The following ascent along the Corn Diavolezza is partly secured with chains and ropes and features a set of wooden steps. Sometimes there's snow here until the summer months.

Between the rocks, the vegetation becomes more and more sparse. At the Diavolezzafirn chairlift station, you have reached the route's highest point at an altitude of 3,001 metres. The views of Piz Bernina and Piz Palü, with its three peaks, are breathtaking. The Vadret Pers glacier at the foot of Piz Palü flows towards the better-known Morteratsch glacier like a silver beard.

The short, scenic, and sweaty hike ends at the Diavolezza mountain station at 2,972 metres. From here, the cable car takes you back down into the Val Bernina.