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Morteratsch Glacier walk in Graubünden, Switzerland Copy link to clipboard

Follow the wonderful path of the Morteratsch Glacier, and learn how fast it’s retreating.

Hiking bridge near melting Morteratsch Glacier in Graubünden
© MySwissAlps.com
This post was published on 7 October 2013 and last updated by Annika on 30 December 2022.
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Morteratsch to the Morteratsch Glacier: the facts

  • Hiking time: 2h00
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Elevation: 1898 – 2035 m
  • Distance: 5.4 km
  • Terrain: rocky path in the valley
  • Region: Upper Engadine (Graubünden)

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About this trail

The former path of the Morteratsch Glacier is now an easy wide hiking trail. You need to take into account that you may have to cross some small streams at the end of the route.

The glacier unfortunately gets shorter by the year due to global warming. Since about 2015, the glacier does not reach the end of the path anymore, so you can only see it in the distance.

Signs along the path indicate how far the glacier once reached. That makes this walk very educational.

Directions and map

How to get to Morteratsch and back

Morteratsch can be reached by train and by car from Pontresina and the Bernina Pass. Bernina Express trains don’t stop here: you need to take a regular regional train.

Hiking route

Follow the signs to the end of the path and take the same way back.

Map of the path from the Morteratsch station to the glacier

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Annika
Page author: AnnikaSince early childhood I've been visiting Switzerland during my holidays and I just fell in love with the country. I spent many summers in the Bernese Oberland, which still feels like my second home, and then started to explore other areas. Traveling, hiking and photographing in the Swiss Alps are my absolute favorite activities. I'd be happy to personally help you plan your trip to Switzerland. Please see the link below.