[Bingobrian]

22 November 2019 at 11:06:54 #824516

Hi my wife and I are staying in tirano for 3 days in January . We will be using the bernina line daily but would like to stop off and enjoy a beautiful but quite easy hike in between. Any suggestions please for 2 oap please that have had there best years behind them . Perhaps 2 to 3 hours max. Look forward to any replies. Thanks

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[Slowpoke]

22 November 2019 at 22:39:23 #925500

Hi Bingobrian-

I don’t know the territory, and when that is the case, I use some of the plethora of excellent resources to help me fond something.

This is the homepage for a resource that gives tremendous detail about selected hikes. I work from the map, or search by place name. I have still not learned to use it quickly, but, if i get a trail that is covered, there is good information on trails:

http://www.schweizmobil.ch/en /wanderland/hiking-in-switzerland.html

On the map, click on the heavy green lines to open a series of relevant pages.

My other favorite resource is the topographic map from the Swiss Land Office. It give altitudes. The first link is for the map; the second, for identification of the color-coding of the trails.

map.geo.admin.ch/?topic=swisstopo&lang=e n&bgLayer=ch.swisstopo .pixelkarte-farbe&catalogNodes=139 2,1538,1396,1430,1436& layers=ch.swisstopo.sw isstlm3d-wanderwege&E=2797306.2 6&N=1136383.32&zoom=4

http://www.schweizmobil.ch/en /hiking-in-switzerland/more-wl/hiking-trail-network-and-signalization.html

Along the route, Alp Grüm is often mentioned as a nice place to visit. Close to Ponteresina, the funicular to Muottas Muragll and walk to Alp Langard, followed by the cableway down to Pontresina is a pretty good match to your requirements:

http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/muottasmuragl-alplanguard

That trail is at 2200-2400 meters elevation, more or less. Consequently, in January, I suspect that the trails are not open. Snow.

You may find that you are walking on the valley floor near St. Moritz, at 1700 or 1800 meters, but, even then, it is likely that there will be snow to consider.

Slowpoke

[Mark]

22 November 2019 at 22:49:15 #925501

This past June we hiked the Cardada to Cimetta route above Locarno. Very nice views of the lake and mountains. You can continue from there if you want more or return by cable car and chair lift. A visit and meal in Locarno afterwards is very enjoyable as well. The tram up the mountain is about 1 block from the Locarno train station. Mark

[Slowpoke]

22 November 2019 at 23:06:55 #925502

Hi Mark, I don’t think that is near the Bernina route?

Slowpoke

[Bingobrian]

23 November 2019 at 9:16:43 #925503

Thank you for your replies. The locarno route is off our radar but will look at the hiking maps.

[Anna]

23 November 2019 at 9:33:27 #925504

Hi Bingobrian,

In January, many of the hiking trails along the Bernina line would be covered in snow so I recommend wearing sturdy waterproof boots and layers, and stick to the valleys and lower altitudes to be safe. I recommend a stroll around Lake St Moritz. When the lake is frozen, you can walk across it and it could be a nice experience. Be sure to check for warning signages before you attempt this. More info here: http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/lakestmoritz

If you find a lake stroll around St Moritz too easy, you can combine this with a hike from the lake all the way to Pontresina. You can also do this in reverse. More info here: http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/pontresina-puntmuragl

You could also hike along the Bernina railway from Pontresina to Punt Muragl. This easy hike takes about 40 mins but longer if like me you like to take pictures of passing trains and the surrounding landscapes. More info about the walk here: http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/pontresina-puntmuragl

Perhaps a hike to see the Morteratsch glacier would be more challenging. This is also considered an easy trail which starts as soon as you stepped out of the Morteratsch station. More details about the hike here: http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/morteratschglacie r

If you’re up for it, you might also want to consider hiking from Ospizio to Alp Grüm. It’s listed as easy but I would think requires a lot more effort in winter when there’s plenty of snow on the ground. http://www.myswissalps.com/hi king/ospiziobernina-alpgruem

For more winter hiking options along the Bernina Line, I suggest browsing through the official Engadine and Graubünden websites.

• Engadin website: http://www.engadin.ch/en/wint er-hiking/
• Graubünden website: http://www.graubuenden.ch/en/ experience-graubunden/hiking

Be sure to check the weather forecast before the start of your hikes and remember to stay safe.

Regards,

Anna

[Bingobrian]

23 November 2019 at 11:17:24 #925505

Hi thanks for your reply. This really sounds useful and I remember morteratsch station Really appreciate your input

[Mark]

23 November 2019 at 13:01:59 #925506

Oops, I was thinking of Ticino instead of Tirano. Mea Culpa !

but nice hike though

[Slowpoke]

23 November 2019 at 13:53:49 #925507

Hi Anna-

<<“For more winter hiking options along the Bernina Line, I suggest browsing through the official Engadine and Graubünden wesbites.

Engadin website: http://www.engadin.ch/en/wint er-hiking/

Graubünden website: http://www.graubuenden.ch/en/ experience-graubunden/hiking “>>

Those are terrific websites.

The first one in particular, and I note these phrases:

<<“St. Moritz Engadin: The so called “Wasserfallpromenade” is closed due to danger of avalanches the right sight of the lake promenade is closed due to forest work

Sils: All barriers have been lifted due to avalanche danger.

Engadin St. Moritz: The trails are snow covered and will be groomed within the next hours”>>

So, we get avalanche danger warnings, and trail-grooming!

as well as list of which trails are open:

http://www.engadin.ch/en/slop es-tracks/winter-hiking-trails/

Slowpoke