Morteratsch Glacier

Guests visiting the Engadin often catch their first glimpse of the Morteratsch Glacier from the Montebello Curve. At the point where the road and railway line intersect between Pontresina and Bernina Hospiz, the Bernina Range rises impressively to the right with its snow-covered peaks. Below lie the two ice streams, Pers and Morteratsch, which flow around the Isla Persa: this 16-square-kilometre ice sculpture of the Upper Engadin presents itself with pride and grandeur.

With a volume of around 1.2 cubic kilometers, the Morteratsch Glacier is the largest glacier by volume in the Eastern Alps. Since systematic observations began in 1878, the glacier has lost 2.2 kilometers in length. Today, it still stretches about 6.4 kilometers, making it the third-longest glacier in the Eastern Alps. A glacier trail explains glaciology, geomorphology, and vegetation at 20 information points.