Route: Corvatsch Murtel and Val Roseg
Area: Eastern Swiss Alps
Date of walk: 14th September 2014
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 15.0 miles
Weather: sunny
For the second time this year we were staying at the wonderful Hotel Albris in Pontresina, which we’d highly recommend to anyone interested in following these walks. It was a glorious day and full of anticipation we took the bus from outside the hotel to Surlej and then took the cable car to Corvatsch Middle Station. This would be the start of the walk, but first we took another cable car to the top station (10,840 feet above sea level) to admire the incredible views
We returned to the middle station on Corvatsch Murtel to start the walk at 8,865 feet. The mountain scenery was awesome and we felt privileged to be up here on such a day
After a late lunch at the Coaz Hut, perched on a rocky platform, looking down the long valley of Val Roseg, we started the descent down into the valley. The going was quite steep and rocky and we were glad to reach the glacial lake Lej dal Vadret, where the terrain became easier. We still had several miles left to walk along the valley back into Pontresina and didn’t arrive back until 7.30pm
It was a long walk but one that we will never forget – a real red letter day
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The day before the walk, we’d taken the train from Zurich to our base in Pontresina - a wonderful journey
On board the Rhaetian Railway and crossing the Landwasser Viaduct
Approaching our destination - Pontresina
The next day now, and on the bus to the start point of our first walk
More public transport - the cable car to Corvatsch, the ‘top of Engadin’
The view from Corvatsch Murtel - the middle station at 8,865 feet above sea level, looking down to Surlej and Silvaplana
Looking down to Sils from the middle station but before we start the walk from here, we took the cable car to the higher station at 10,836 feet
The Corvatsch Glacier from the higher station looking towards (l to r) Piz Boval, Piz Morterasch, Piz Bernina and Piz Roseg
View from the higher station
Having savoured those fantastic views from the higher station we descend back to the middle station to start the walk
Our first port of call will be Fuorcla Surlej, 1 hour away according to the helpful sign
The path to Fuorcla Surlej - walking doesn’t get much better than this…
Looking back on our path from the middle station
We arrive at Fuorcla Surlej, set in a heavenly position
Time for a pit stop
Suitably refuelled we continue in the direction of the Bernina Massiv
Zooming in on the Sella Glacier
Our return journey is left along Val Roseg far below, but first we carry on to the head of the valley
Despite appearances it’s a perfectly safe walk, the only hazard being tripping over a rock as you gaze at the awesome views
Looking along Val Roseg, our eventual return route, but we aim to go to the valley head before turning back
Looking down to Lej de Vadret - a glacial lake
Piz Roseg
The Coaz hut at the head of Val Roseg, what an incredible location
Walking towards the hut
Looking along Lej de Vadret and Val Roseg from near the Coaz hut (our final destination is at the far end of the valley, still a long way to go)
The couple who live and work here are 10 miles from civilisation. Food supplies for customers are brought in by helicopter but for anything else, it’s a long walk
Not a bad place to hang out the washing
After that enjoyable interlude we retrace our steps for a short distance before heading down into the valley below
I fumbled for the camera as this flew overhead - a Bearded Vulture. With a wingspan of 7-9 feet it looked like an aeroplane at first sight
Closer to the lake, the descent from here was the hardest part of the walk
Looking back - hard to believe that the Coaz hut is up there somewhere to the right of the photo, halfway up the mountain
Walking along the shore of Lej de Vadret
The glacier Vadret da Tschierva, notice how it’s carved out a valley whilst retreating
Val Roseg, relatively young trees are now springing up in the wake of the glacier
Walking back along Val Roseg - it’s possible to hire a horse drawn carriage further down, but we realised we’d be too late for that by now
Walking beside the Ova da Roseg which leads back to Pontresina
Looking back along the river
We were quite tired by now and happy to risk an avalanche in order to get back to the hotel
The sun goes down as we reach the end of our journey, just a few minutes to go now. What a wonderful day it had been
