1. To the Morteratsch glacier
The walk to the end of the Morteratsch Glacier is a brief one, yet it covers thousands of years of the earth’s history.
Immense white tongues seem to push forth from the ice and snow-covered Piz Palü and Piz Bernina towards Pontresina. These are the Pers and Morteratsch Glaciers. At the Isla Persa, the two glacier arms unite to form a glacier tongue which ends after barely 2 kilometres. An educational trail informs hikers about the retreat of the glacier and the mysterious life that exists in the pre-glacier ridge.
2. Winter walking trail into Roseg Valley
With a little luck you will see chamois and roe deer on the winter walking trail into the car-free Roseg Valley, specially designed for pedestrians. It is also possible to book a delightful horse-drawn sleigh ride for the return trip. You are requested to make a reservation first.
3. Roasted Chestnuts in the Bergell, in Soglio
The Bergell village Soglio is one of the best preserved traditional settlements in the Alps. Soglio and Val Bregaglia was an important North/ South passage from Roman times up to the 19th Century. Today explore the magnificent nature, the history of the Palazzo Salis or taste the local delicacies made from sweet chestnuts.
4. Skating on black ice
This natural wonder can be experienced only for short time - ice skating on the small frozen lakes of the Engadine such as Lej da Staz or Lago Bianco (2300 m). This glacier-water lake offers an experience far above the tree line on the Bernina height.
5. Sils Baseglia and Chasté
One of the loveliest walks in the Upper Engadine runs along secluded bays around the peninsula Chasté at Sils.
The peninsula was once the favorite residence of the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who was guest for eight summers in Sils since 1878. Every morning, before six o’clock, the philosopher went for a walk to Lake Sils, the sight drove him whether such beauty "tears of rejoicing" in the eyes. At the tip of the peninsula admirers have erected a monument to him: Verses from Zoroaster, carved in rock.
6. Welcome to Guarda
Guarda, the village of "Schellenursli" with its uniquely intact townscape and ornate houses, lies high above the valley of the Lower Engadine, on a sun terrace. The location has given the village its name: a control room with wonderful views down and up the valley. Guarda is known for its distinctive townscape with splendid sgraffito adorned Engadine houses.
7. The monastery of St. Johann at Val Müstair
The monastery of St. John is nestled peacefully in the secluded Val Müstair. Behind the thick walls, conceals an eventful and a history of over a thousand years. Located strategically important, the monastery was repeatedly the scene of a rather un-Christian in-fighting since the time of Charlemagne. Today, a community of twelve Benedictine lives peacefully in accordance with the rule "ora et labora”.
8. Sightseeing flights in Engadin St. Moritz
Engadine helicopter flights - Twenty minutes that you will remember for a long time to come: a flight high above the Engadin.
The helicopter will bring you close to the peaks of the Piz Palü and the Piz Bernina – and up into seventh heaven. Or how about a loop around the mighty Bernina massif, or flying along the spectacular Biancograt? You will be able to look down on the sparkling glaciers and the shimmering lakes around St. Moritz. Precisely what you see, though, is entirely up to you.
9. Alp Grüm – Travelling by in Engadin St. Moritz
Paradise is waiting at 2091 meters: When the "Little Red" Rhaetian Railway once reached this height, it is not far to the sun terrace of the Albergo Ristorante Alp Grüm. Or enjoy this ride under a full moon - something very special.
The dense fog, which covers the morning landscape, has disappeared and offers a stunning view: The view extends over the wild Valtellina to the Bergamo Alps. West you can see the gigantic glaciers of Vadret da Palu - and great food on the plate from the region: Pizzocheri Neri and other specialties from Puschlav, Engadine delicacies, Italian pasta and Veltliner wines.
Bernina Express - UNESCO world heritage site
The Albula and Bernina lines of the Rhaetian Railway offer such a spectacular link between North and South that in summer 2008 they were placed under UNESCO protection. Modern panoramic cars offer the best possible views.
As it tackles the highest rail crossing in Europe, the little red train conquers gradients of up to 7 per cent without the benefit of cog traction – one reason for its great popularity among railway enthusiasts. Passengers of all persuasions, meanwhile, enjoy the typically Italian ambiance in Tirano.
The Bernina Express operates daily 24. October 2011 until the 13. December 2011.
More information
Website St. Moritz
Website ENGADN St.Moritz
Photo: ENGADIN St.Moritz, swiss-image.ch/Robert Boesch