Fuorcla Surlej to Pontresina

Distance: 3.0 - 8.3 miles (one way)

Beautiful views up the valley

This quintessential Engadine hike is renowned for the dramatic views of glacier-clad Piz Bernina and Piz Roseg towering above Val Roseg. Lovely meadows, pretty larch forests and a rushing river add to the scenic delights on the descent to the valley floor and then Pontresina.
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Distance: 3.0 miles (round trip) to Fuorcla Surlej
8.3 miles (one way) to Pontresina
Elevation: 8,855-ft. at Trailhead
9,045-ft. at Fuorcla Surlej
9,045-ft. at Pontresina
Elevation Gain: 328-ft. to Fuorcla Surlej
-3,235-ft. to Pontresina
Difficulty: moderate-strenuous
More Hikes in:
St Moritz / Eastern Switzerland

Why Hike Fuorcla Surlej to Pontresina

This classic hike starts at the Murtel middle station of the Corvatsch cable car. Here hikers are greeted with terrific views of the peaks rising above the Upper Engadine lakes plateau. From Mutel a good trail ascends to Fuorcla Surlej (Surlej Pass), renowned for its magnificent views of the Piz Bernina, Piz Roseg and the Tschierva Glacier towering above the east side of Val Roseg. These peaks anchor the massive cirque at the head of the valley where impressive glaciers spill down the slopes of the Sella massif.

From the pass, descend high meadows sprinkled with wildflowers along Val Roseg’s western slopes. Progress will be slow as you continually turn around to take in the ever-evolving scene of the valley’s stunning, glacier-clad peaks. Across the valley are fine views of the rugged ridge rimming the valley’s east flanks and the summits soaring above the north side of Val Bernina.

Tree begin to appear as the trail drops down the final sets of switchbacks to Alp Roseg on the valley floor. From here, a picturesque path winds through lovely meadows and a pretty forest of larches and stone pines, at times traveling beside the rushing waters of the Ova da Roseg (river), as it heads to Pontresina.

Pick a day with good weather for this hike. A good segment of the trail travels along high, exposed slopes -- not a good place to be if the weather is threatening.

This trail can be done in reverse, from Pontresina to Murtel. Just keep in mind the elevation gain is over 3,500-ft. in this direction.

See Trail Detail/Full Description