Via Albula/Bernina
Overview
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Distance 9 km
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Duration 2 h 50 min
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Ascent 240 m
Intro
After the white glacier waters of Lago Bianco, the route leads up to the fantastic vantage point of Sassal Mason with views of Piz Palü, its glacier seeming almost close enough to touch, the heart-shaped Lagh da Palü, Alp Grüm and Val Poschiavo. The peaceful high valley of Cavaglia below offers an invitation to linger.
Description
The hike begins at the Bernina Hospiz train station, directly above the large Lago Bianco reservoir. Slightly higher, at 2310 m and on the road across the pass, is the Bernina Hospiz. For centuries, it has been a rest stop and a trans-shipment point for passing travellers.
Both, the linguistic boundary between the Romansh-speaking Engadine and the Italian Valposchiavo, as well as the watershed are located at the height of the Lago Bianco dam in the northwest. From Lej Nair the water flows into the Black Sea, from Lago Bianco it makes its way to the Adriatic Sea.
A gravel path leads directly along the shores of the whitish Lago Bianco and up through a rocky grass landscape to the Sassal Mason overlook. The views range from dominant Piz Palü and its glacier, which seems almost close enough to touch, to the heart-shaped Lagh da Palü and Val Paschiavo. Where there used to be more glacier ice, the waterfall cascade of the Aqua da Palü stream now plunges down the mountain. At 2351 m it is the highest point of the route. From here the trail goes downward.
On a narrow path with fantastic views the path returns to below the treeline. Alp Grüm is a good place to rest a while. From the sunny terrace, the views range from the Bernina massif to sun-drenched Valposchiavo, which extends all the way to Italy.
A narrow zigzag path leads past some steep rock walls down to Lagh da Palü. The reservoir is located between Sassal Mason, Piz Caral, Piz Canton and Curnasel. A forest path leads through the rocky landscape of the Asciai da Palü gorge. On the way to the Rifugio Cavaglia, you will notice many small drystone walls. In addition to a handful of residential homes, the old hamlet also includes a guest house, a power plant and its own train station.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Ospizio Bernina
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Cavaglia
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| Direction |
One way
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| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
2253 m
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| Ascent |
240 m
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| Descent |
800 m
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| Distance |
9 km
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| Duration |
2 h 50 min
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| Duration back |
3 h 25 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Medium
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| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| Season |
June - October
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| Theme |
With panoramic view, To an alp
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Quick Facts
Route number
