Trekking in the Piz Bernina massif and the Valmalenco Valley: Tour of Bernina and Alta Via Valmalenco

Whether it's climbing up the St. Moritz and under snow-capped giants on the Tour of the Bernina, or climbing over wild, high passes and through isolated mountains on the Italian Valmalenco of Monte Disgrazia, the treks offer incredible experiences. Both feature spectacular peaks rising above snowfields and perfect alpine pastures, with accommodation in comfortable alpine guesthouses and high-altitude huts.

We present two treks in the Bernina region of the Swiss-Italian Alps. The Tour de la Bernina is a 9-stage trek through the Piz Bernina massif, 119 km long and suitable for inexperienced mountaineers. The 8-stage Alta Via Valmalenco, south of the Bernina, although shorter at 94 km in length, is a more challenging route suitable for more experienced hikers.

Practical guide

When to go?

From the end of June to the end of September.

Cities & Services

• In Switzerland: Moritz, Sils Maria, Pontresina, Maloja, Bernina Pass, Poschiavo
• In Italy: Sondrio, Chiareggio, Chiesa in Valmalenco.

Not to be missed

• Impressive glaciers of Val Roseg, Rifugio Del Grande and Rifugio Marinelli in Valmalenco, and the Diavolezza viewpoint.
• The Bernina Express train between Tirano and St Moritz has fantastic views and can be used to access the Bernina route.
• Spectacular peaks en route include 4049m Piz Bernina, 3937m Piz Roseg, 3678m Monte Disgrazia, 3323m Pizzo Scalino.

Bernina Tour

• 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 a Cavaglia
• Stage 8 Cavaglia to Berghaus Diavolezza
• Stage 8A Cavaglia a Ospizio Bernina
• Stage 8B Ospizio Bernina to Berghaus Diavolezza
• Stage 9 Berghaus Diavolezza to Pontresina

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 a 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