If you go hiking in the Diavolezza region, you need to be well prepared! Prepared, that is, for magnificent trails, alpine adventure, unforgettable experiences of nature and breathtaking views.
Even if you hike solo, you are rarely alone on these walks. Most of the time, the dramatic Bernina massif is a silent companion: either looking over your shoulder, standing at your side or rising up in front of you in all its glory.
Even on this easy ridge walk to the summit of the Sass Queder (3,066 m), hikers enjoy glorious panoramic views: from the Bernina massif to the Val Bernina, way below, and even over to the Valtellina in Italy. The marked trail is accessible in summer and winter alike, and leads from the Diavolezza cable car upper station all the way to the summit, a distance of about 1.5 km and a climb of only around 90 vertical metres: in other words, a fabulous family outing! Our tip: celebrate your ascent with lunch at Europe’s highest barbecue picnic site, up on Sass Queder. You can obtain firewood from the kiosk by the cable car summit station; the Berghaus Diavolezza hotel will even supply you with a filled picnic basket.
Hikers joining this full-day guided excursion (bookable through the Pontresina Mountaineering School) negotiate no less than 1,100 vertical metres as they descend from the Diavolezza cable car summit station to the Pers Glacier, the Morteratsch Glacier and beyond. Along the way, the steep lateral moraines of the Pers Glacier and the scree slopes at the crossing to the Morteratsch Glacier present a real challenge, demanding a sure foot and good level of fitness from participants. The crossing of the Pers Glacier is rather gentler, however, with the sparkling Piz Palü rising up ahead in all its glory. Here, you really sense the power of the forces of nature that guide the mighty river of ice and so sculpt the spectacular landscape. The trail leads past deep crevasses and glacial mills, colossal erratic boulders and steep slopes of scree before reaching the snout of the Morteratsch Glacier. From here, you follow a moraine trail and then a footpath to Morteratsch railway station.
Participants need to be familiar with the use of crampons and hike roped together on this spectacular guided tour (bookable through the Pontresina Mountaineering School): the route to the Crap Pers at the foot of the Piz Palü is a three-dimensional odyssey across the ice. The adventure begins at the Diavolezza cable car summit station; at first the route follows a narrow trail towards the Piz Trovat, but rather than scaling it you skirt to the left of the peak and instead climb up to the Pers Glacier. From here, your rope team snakes between the dramatic seracs and crevasses below the Piz Cambrena before ascending the Crap Pers (3,250 m), from which you enjoy magnificent views over the Pers Glacier.
Although the Munt Pers rises to an impressive 3,207 m, even children can hike up, providing they have experience of the mountains and a sure foot – which allows for a very special family experience. Starting from the Diavolezza cable car summit station, a well-made but sometimes steep mountain trail leads along the south-east ridge of the Munt Pers up to the summit. Here, most hikers fall silent in wonder at the magnificent panoramic views taking in the mighty peaks of the Bernina massif – including the Piz Bernina, the Biancograt ridge and the most beautiful summit of them all, the Piz Palü. Our tip: if you are at ease hiking in high-altitude terrain in darkness with a head torch, spend the night at the Berghaus Diavolezza and get up before dawn to admire the sunrise from the Munt Pers. You cannot imagine a more enchanting experience of the Bernina mountains!
Hikers in the Engadin may expect to see ibex and marmots, but … ptarmigan? Well, perhaps not in flocks and on all slopes, but you have perhaps the best chance of spotting this iconic mountain bird, whose plumage turns almost completely white in winter, on Muots Ravulaunas. And if you are heading that way, why not visit the sparkling Lej da Diavolezza, too? The route starts at the Diavolezza cable car summit station and follows the Sass Queder ridge before dropping down to the lake. From here, the trail leads across the slopes of Muots Ravulaunas and then on down to the cable car base station.
Despite the 900 vertical metre drop involved in the hike from the Diavolezza cable car summit station down to the valley floor, this is definitely one of the region’s child-friendly hikes – providing your children have a sure foot, that is. The trail skirts the snowfield as it leads downhill parallel to the chairlift and then traverses the flanks of the Munt Pers. First of all, you are greeted by the sight of the shimmering Lej da Diavolezza and then, after a short climb, the Lej da las Collinas. The views of the mountain scenery here are delightful; the surrounding moorland is home to rare flora and fauna. A pair of binoculars will come in handy, as chamois also live in this area. The path leads among flowering alpenrose shrubs all the way down to the cable car base station.
