This guidebook describes two treks in the Bernina region of the Swiss-Italian Alps. The Tour of the Bernina covers 119km in nine stages circling the Piz Bernina massif. Five days are spent in Switzerland and four in Italy, however a number of inviting extensions and detours are also described which add at least two days to the total. The tour is suitable for trekkers with basic alpine walking experience. While the highest point reached is 3002m, there are no glacier crossings en route. The Alta Via Valmalenco in Italy is a shorter, 8-stage trek over 94km, but is a more challenging route suitable for trekkers with more experience. Almost every stage of both treks can be accessed from a valley floor and public transport, opening the door to multiple variants and shorter treks. Detailed stage by stage route descriptions are given in combination with plenty of background and practical information.
Gillian Price was born in England but has lived in Venice for many years. Gillian has steadily explored the mountain ranges of Italy, and now Corsica, and brought them to life for visitors in a series of outstanding guides for Cicerone. She is an active member of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) and Mountain Wilderness.
Introduction The Bernina Tour Alta Via Valmalenco Glacier notes Plants and flowers Wildlife Getting there Local transport Tourist information When to go Accommodation Food and drink What to take Waymarking and maps Dos and don'ts Emergencies Using this guide More reading The Bernina Tour Stage 1: Pontresina to Fuorcla Surlej Stage 2: Fuorcla Surlej to Maloja Stage 3: Maloja to Chiareggio Stage 4: Chiareggio to Rifugio Longoni Stage 5: Rifugio Longoni to Lago Palu Stage 6: Lago Palu to Rifugio Carate Brianza Stage 7: Rifugio Carate Brianza to Rifugio Bignami Stage 8: Rifugio Bignami to Cavaglia Stage 9: Cavaglia to Ospizio Bernina Stage 10: Ospizio Bernina to Diavolezza Stage 11: Diavolezza to Pontresina Alta Via Valmalenco Stage 1: Torre di Santa Maria to Rifugio Bosio Galli Stage 2: Rifugio Bosio Galli to Rifugio Gerli-Porro/Rifugio Ventina Stage 3: Rifugio Ventina and Rifugio Gerli-Porro to Chiareggio Stage 4: Chiareggio to Lago Palu Stage 5: Lago Palu to Rifugio Marinelli Bombardieri Stage 6: Rifugio Marinelli Bombardieri to Rifugio Bignami Stage 7: Rifugio Bignami to Rifugio Cristina Stage 8: Rifugio Cristina to Torre Santa Maria Appendix A - Route summaries Appendix B - Glossary Appendix C - Accommodation
