Walk Along Water
A walking tour from Lago Bianco to Le Prese, from freezing cold glacial lakes to the Mediterranean shores of Lago di Poschiavo.
9am - Bright Lookouts
The train ride from St. Moritz, past the Morteratsch glacier, offers the first spectacular views of the day. And there are many more to come. Before heading south after arriving at the station of Ospizio Bernina, make sure to visit photographer Guido Baselgia’s Camera Obscura. It is just a short walk from the station. Afterwards, follow the trail along Lago Bianco until you reach Alp Grüm. A few steps south of the lake, the idyllic scenery of the Valposchiavo takes over. Flowers bloom at the wayside, and the warm southern air is filled with sweet and spicy smells of herbs and tree resin.
Hike — Start at OSPIZIO BERNINA, to visit Camera Obscura: T. +41 (0)81 830 00 60
camera-obscura.ch - Ospizio Bernina to Alp Grüm, 1 ½ hours
11am - The Poschiavo balcony
Hikers often take a well-deserved break when they reach the Albergo Ristorante Belvedere on Alp Grüm. Enjoy a cool drink while admiring the impressive Palü glacier and its frozen water resources. The view of the valley below is just as rewarding; if you look closely, you can spot people taking a stroll along Lago di Poschiavo, enjoying their ice creams.
Taking a break — Albergo Ristorante Belvedere, ALP GRÜM
belvedere-alpgruem.ch
Noon - A delicious Alpine lunch
After leaving Alp Grüm, the pleasant trail takes you through larch forests and down to the Alpe Palü. Time for a delicious, wholesome lunch. Ilaria Vitali serves local specialties – polenta, pizzoccheri, barley broth – with an Italian touch at the Agriturismo Alpe Palü. She uses the Alpe’s own meat and eggs. Their animals spend their summer grazing the pasture nearby and on Alp Varuna.
Lunch — Agriturismo Alpe Palü, June – October, T. +41 (0)79 414 41 14
(advance reservations are appreciated)
2pm - Kneipp therapy in ice-cold water
A tip for summiteers: pleasure hikers prefer heading directly to Cavaglia. However, taking a detour via Lagh da Caralin is very reward-ing. You may have to cross some snowy patches, but it is worth making the effort. Half a dozen waterfalls plunge into the glacial lake. Lagh da Caralin is a solitary place, an enchanting stone arena played on both visually and acoustically by the cascading water. And the ice-cold pool is ideal for treading water.
Treading water — ALPE PALÜ to LAGH DA CARALIN and back
Difference in altitude of 393 m, approx. 2 hours
4pm - Cavaglia glacier garden
When leaving the Alpe Palü, heading towards Cavaglia, the trail leads along the Cavagliagasch stream, where volunteers of the Giardino dei Ghiacciai Cavaglia club have created a garden for visitors. They invested 150,000 hours to clear 32 glacial mills. Their new, equally spectacular project, the gorge below the glacier garden, is scheduled to open for visitors in spring 2021.
Explore — Glacier garden, CAVAGLIA, free admission, tours on request.
ghiacciai.info
5pm - On to Lago di Poschiavo
The Rhaetian Railway RhB will take you from Cavaglia down to Le Prese. On Lago di Poschiavo, a day filled with mountain air and southern charm comes to an end, with a drink on the terrace of the venerable Hotel Le Prese or a romantic boat ride. The journey back to St. Moritz follows the route of your walk along water.
Boats & Drinks — Hotel Le Prese.
hotel-leprese.com
Related Stories
Luxurious experience – gosh, I hate this marketing phrase so much. In my humble opinion, it is nothing but an over-used wannabe statement, a hollow battle cry to pimp mediocre products, and a shamelessly sneaky attempt to add some posh spice to a bland brand.
Discover more
Bern is generally thought of as a picturesque, easy-going and tranquil place. A short, exhilarating stay in Switzerland’s capital is enough to confirm all this. It will further lead to the realisation that Bern is also home to a cosmopolitan and innovative local bar scene with wonderfully tasty creations.
Discover more
The search for the perfect winter sports destination ends here and if it’s action you’re after, this is THE place to be. Upbeat but down-played.
Discover more
Once upon a time, the magnificent Bellevue Palace, in the heart of the Swiss capital, Bern, was sold for 1 Swiss Franc. You might think: what a shame I couldn’t buy it myself! But the Swiss did find a clever way to do it, and therefore today, they technically own it. A smart move – maybe it’s not a coincidence that Einstein used to live five minutes from here!
Discover more
Lucerne is a city that whispers tales of time, where the azure waters of the eponymous lake flirt with quaint urban spires, all under the vigilant gaze of the majestic Alps. But there’s a vantage point, an apex from which this narrative unfolds most splendidly: the grand suites at the Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern.
Discover more
While politicians flock to the Bundeshaus, our beauty expert is drawn to another one of the capital’s attractions, and she’s ready to cast her vote on Bern’s top spa at the Schweizerhof Hotel. Quiet, everybody, there’s a beauty session underway!
Discover more
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It can improve concentration, attention span and cognitive functions. It stabilises blood sugar levels, which can help to prevent periods of low energy and mood swings, especially if it is rich in fibre, protein, healthy fats and vitamins.
Discover more