Diavolezza – above the glaciers

Berninapass / Pontresina

 Impressive views as seen from the Piz Palü – above Bellavista and on to Piz Bernina. Simply stand and stare or get involved – six kilometres before the Bernina Pass, the cable car makes its way up on the right to this glacier vantage point almost 3,000 metres high.

 An ideal spot to lay back and absorb fantastic views courtesy of Mother Nature and a deckchair – or perhaps a bubbling hotel pool. Guests at the Berghaus can spend the night in double or multi-bed rooms.

Others may choose to climb to the Munt Pers, along a narrow but perfect path leading to an extraordinary grill and picnic spot on the Sass Queder, ascend the walkway to the Piz Trovat or even climb the Piz Palü in the company of a mountain guide. A classic glacier hike leads from the Diavolezza over the Pers Glacier to Isla Persa, then over the Morteratsch Glacier and on up to the Morteratsch station. We recommend you make this tour in the company of a mountain guide.

Legend has it that hunters once casually followed the red-headed mountain nymph only to disappear for ever – and it’s from this little devil that the mountain supposedly made itself a name!

Information

Altitude: 2973m
Accessibility:
Train from Chur or St. Moritz to Berninan Diavolezza (partly with change of transport, or bus from Pontresina), cableway to the Diavolezza
View: Over the Pers and Morteratsch glacier world; behind the Piz Palü massif and Piz Bernina and looking north the Val Bernina together with Bernina Pass
Attractions: Diavolezza – Morteratsch glacial hikes, two via ferrata ascents with varying levels of difficulty, evening mood on the summit and overnight stays in the mountain guesthouse
Culinary aspects: Regional cuisine with tasty Graubünden and Veltliner recipes
Overnight stays: Berghaus Diavolezza: Double and multi-bed rooms
Groups: Restaurant Bellavista 120 places, Diavolezza Stübli 50, self- service 100 places; also suitable for workshops and meetings
Winter: Winter sports region Diavolezza and Lagalp
Special comments: 10km descents in winter via the Pers and Morteratsch glaciers to Morteratsch

Niesen – viewing pyramid

Mülenen, Bernese Oberland 

The near-perfect pyramid shape of this mountain has inspired many an artist to depict it, including Ferdinand Hodler (1909), Paul Klee (1915) and Cuno Amiet (1926). It takes just 30 minutes to reach the 2,362m summit of the pyramid on the funicular railways from Mülenen.

 Views over the Bernese Alps as far as Lake Thun and the Simmen Valley are truly amazing, and even more spectacular as viewed from the transparent glass pavillion.The new building is considered an extremely successful annex to the historic mountain restaurant, built some 50 years before the funicular railway. Guests staying in one of the eight double rooms at the Berghaus Niesen Kulm enjoy spectacular sunrises and sunsets too.

Things are a bit tougher for contestants in the traditional Niesen race - on the world’s longest stairway made up of 11674 stairs. Other than during this race, use of the steps along the railway line is not permitted.

At the end of the 19th century, plans were to construct a rack railway from Wimmis to the Niesen. However, no cash was available so the decision was made to develop a means of transport with funicular rail in two sections. 

Information

Altitude: 2362m
Accessibility: Train to Mülenen, funicular rail in two sections to Niesen
View: Over Lake Thun, Dreigestirn in the Bernese Oberland, Simmen and Kander Valleys
Attractions: Glass pavillion and sun terrace with views of the Alps, the famous Niesen fox story, story tale rides for children and Niesen cultural highlights
Culinary aspects: Breakfast buffets, culinary evening cruises, special full-moon dinners
Overnight stays: 8 cosy double rooms in the Berghaus
Groups: Restaurant with140 indoor places, sun terrace with 180 places
Season: Middle of April to middle of November
Special comments: Annual Niesen Step-race