CONTENTS
Getting there and map key
Route summary tables
Overview map
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
Waymarking and maps
Italian signpost showing path numbers and timings
Waymarking is good all the way round both treks. In Switzerland paths are indicated by a frequently placed painted red stripe on a broad white background, while in Italy there are equal red/white stripes, often with a distinguishing number. Markings are found on prominent fence posts, tree trunks and rocks. Path junctions also have a clutch of signposts. It’s helpful to remember that signs may bear the name of the final destination of the route, so check your map if you need an intermediate point.
All these numbers and routes are shown on commercial walking maps. While sketch maps are provided in this guide, limitations of space make it impossible to include full details, essential in an emergency, so it’s imperative that walkers obtain the recommended maps.
Luckily a single map covers both the Tour of the Bernina and the Alta Via Valmalenco: Kompass 1:50,000 sheet 93 – ‘Bernina Valmalenco Sondrio’, available from specialised booksellers such as www.stanfords.co.uk, outdoor suppliers and shops in the Bernina region.
If desired, more detailed 1:25,000 maps are available: for the Engadine Valley on the Swiss side of the Bernina there’s Landeskarte der Schweiz (Swiss National Survey maps) n.2521 – ‘St Moritz Bernina’; whereas for the southern valleys there’s ‘Valmalenco – Carta dei Sentieri’, published by the Consorzio Turistico Sondrio Valmalenco and sold locally.
Helpful for planning and on-the-trail use.
I asked [Gillian Price] for a recommendation on a trek in the Dolomites or the Swiss Alps. Last August we did the Bernina trek. It was absolutely wonderful. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Your recommendation was spot on. It was a challenge but very rewarding. We thoroughly enjoy your guidebooks, They have been helpful for planning and on-the-trail use. Keep up the good work on your guidebooks!
Bruce
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