Seasons
Late June to late September.
Centres
In Switzerland: St Moritz, Sils Maria, Pontresina, Maloja, Bernina Pass, Poschiavo
In Italy: Sondrio, Chiareggio, Chiesa in Valmalenco
Difficulty
While no glacier crossings are involved on these treks, some basic alpine walking experience is recommended. Clear paths and old mule tracks are followed for the most part, along with routes over rough rocky terrain, and snow cover is to be expected early in the season.
Must See
Awesome glaciers from Val Roseg, Rifugio Del Grande and Rifugio Marinelli in Valmalenco, and the Diavolezza belvedere.
The Bernina Express train between Tirano and St Moritz experiences fantastic views and can be used to access the Bernina trek.
Spectacular peaks en route include 4049m Piz Bernina, 3937m Piz Roseg, 3678m Monte Disgrazia, 3323m Pizzo Scalino.
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Overview
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This guidebook explores two treks in the Bernina region of the Swiss-Italian Alps. The Tour of the Bernina is an 9-stage trek circling the Piz Bernina massif, 119km long and suitable for beginner trekkers. Also included in this guide is the 8-stage Alta Via Valmalenco just to the south of the Bernina. Although shorter, at 94km long, this is a more challenging route suitable for trekkers with more experience.
Whether skirting above St. Moritz and below snow-capped giants on the Tour of the Bernina, or climbing over wild, high passes and through isolated mountains in the Italian Valmalenco by Monte Disgrazia, the treks offer incredible experiences. Both feature spectacular peaks towering over snow fields and perfect alpine pastures, with accommodation in comfortable alpine guesthouses and high altitude huts.
This guide contains detailed route descriptions in combination with plenty of background and practical information.
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Table of Contents
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Contents
Introduction
The Tour of the Bernina
The Alta Via Valmalenco
About glaciers
Plants and flowers
Wildlife
Getting there
Getting around
Tourist information
When to go
Accommodation
Food and drink
What to take
Waymarking and maps
Dos and don’ts
Emergencies
Using this guide
The Tour of the Bernina
Stage 1 Pontresina to Fuorcla Surlej
Stage 2 Fuorcla Surlej to Maloja
Stage 3 Maloja to Rifugio Longoni
Stage 3A Maloja to Chiareggio
Stage 3B Chiareggio to Rifugio Longoni
Stage 4 Rifugio Longoni to Lago Palù
Stage 5 Lago Palù to Rifugio Carate Brianza
Stage 6 Rifugio Carate Brianza to Rifugio Bignami
Stage 7 Rifugio Bignami to Cavaglia
Stage 7A Rifugio Bignami to Selva
Stage 7B Selva to Cavaglia
Stage 8 Cavaglia to Berghaus Diavolezza
Stage 8A Cavaglia to Ospizio Bernina
Stage 8B Ospizio Bernina to Berghaus Diavolezza
Stage 9 Berghaus Diavolezza to Pontresina
The Alta Via Valmalenco
Stage 1 Torre di Santa Maria to Rifugio Bosio Galli
Stage 2 Rifugio Bosio Galli to Rifugio Ventina/Rifugio Gerli-Porro
Stage 3 Rifugio Ventina/Rifugio Gerli-Porro to Chiareggio
Stage 4 Chiareggio to Lago Palù
Stage 5 Lago Palù to Rifugio Marinelli Bombardieri
Stage 6 Rifugio Marinelli Bombardieri to Rifugio Bignami
Stage 7 Rifugio Bignami to Rifugio Cristina
Stage 8 Rifugio Cristina to Caspoggio
Appendix A Glossary
Appendix B Accommodation
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Updates
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September 2016
Tour of the Bernina
end Stage 1 Fuorcla Surlej has accommodation from mid-July to end August. NB Reservation essential!
Stage 7A descent should be 1300m
Tour of the Bernina
Stage 2- Val Fex to Isola variant
The upper part of the descent path from Marmore towards Curtins has been closed because of a rockfall.
As a result instead of 'Keep R at the junction' take the official diverted path L of the junction which goes slightly higher above and parallel to the original route and then descends to rejoin it further along. Path is shown on the Kompass map.
Alta Via Della Valmalenco
Stage 1
Rifugio Cometti Grandi is closed for the time being
Stage 2
Rifugio Gerli-Porlo is CAI
Stage 3
Suggestion: Stay at Rifugio Tartaglione Crispo so that you can complete the high level loop via Rifugio del Grande Camerini pack-free.
Stage 4
The popular Rifugio Lagu Palu may be pre-booked by large groups at weekends. Excellent alternative accommodation is available at Rifugio Motta on the opposite side of the lake. Allow one hour to walk to it. Tel 0342451406 or cell 3403368496
(Thanks to David Hasell and Gustav Dobrzynski)
September 2015
Bernina Tour, Stage 1: the rifugio at Fuorcla Surlej is reportedly no longer offering accommodation
(Thanks to John Atherton)
Appendix B
The Tour of the Bernina
Stage 2
Hotel Silserhof is in Sils Maria
Sporthotel and Chesa Alpina are in Maloja
Stage 3
Hotel Genziana and Hotel Chiareggio are in Chiareggio
Stage 5
Fior di Roccia and Edelweiss are in Franscia
The Alta Via Valmalenco
Stage 8
Hotels: Fior di Monte is at Caspoggio while Chalet Rezia and Miravalle are at Chiesa in Valmalenco.
nb please remove 'CAS, open etc' from last two hotel listings.
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Reviews
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This guidebook is highly recommended... just what you need.
The instructions are very clear... I was pleased to read at one point: "Don't take the apparent shortcut... It is nothing of the sort". I have been caught out like that in the Alps.
The Cicerone guides have a high reputation and Gillian Price is an experienced writer for them. This is her tenth. It seems to be to be just what you need, and all with waterproof covers, small enough for a pocket.
Fell and Rock Club Journal.
This guide book is heartily recommended. If you have never been on this sort of expedition it would be an excellent introduction. If you have been, well these routes look very enjoyable.
The actual guiding seems to be very precise; short of walking out the routes I cannot guarantee that there are no confusing moments, but the instructions are very clear about where to fork left, which turnings not to take and so on. I was pleased to read at one point: ‘Don’t take the apparent short cut…It is nothing of the sort.’ I have been caught out like that in the Alps.
The Cicerone guides have a high reputation, and Gillian Price is an experienced writer for them. This is her tenth. It seems to me to be just what you need, and all with waterproof covers, small enough for a pocket. It is full of attractive photos too, and snippets of historical and local detail. The first section of the book is a substantial introduction to Alpine walking, which is thoroughly practical and worth reading with care. As well as interesting sections about geology and natural history there is a good kit list, a section on ‘Procedure for Refuges’ and a well-thought out list of Dos and Don’ts.
This book is first class of its sort. It should inspire folk to go. And then, when they do, it should see that they have a safe and enjoyable time.
The Fell and Rock Journal, 2016
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Where to Buy
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Downloads
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