The Morteratsch glacier trail from Morteratsch station

From Morteratsch station, a wide track leads up the valley floor in the forefield of the Morteratsch glacier. This is the Gletscherweg (glacier trail): sixteen information boards explain the retreat of the glacier, and time boards show how far it has pulled back since 1850. The glacier trail ends at a wooden bridge, and this walk turns back at about that place. From the bridge a separate summer mountain path of about 30 minutes (0.8 km and 161 m of ascent, graded medium, over scree and a rock step, with white-red-white markings) leads on to the glacier tongue; it is not part of this walk. Return the same way.

It is 5.9 km there and back with 130 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. Engadin Tourismus gives 2.9 km, 50 minutes and 130 m of ascent, with no descent, so one way, and calls it easy; another Engadin trail database gives 6 km and 2 hours with 132 m up and 132 m down, so there and back. The grade is Easy. The glacier has retreated over the years, so the ice is not at the end of the trail.

Stay on the marked path. Engadin Tourismus says that the marked way of the mountain path ends before the glacier tongue and that entering the glacier is recommended only with a mountain guide and the right equipment. It calls the glacier trail a year-round path, and Pontresina Tourismus says it can also be walked in winter.

Pontresina Tourismus says Rhaetian Railway trains run to the entrance of the Val Morteratsch. Engadin Tourismus says paid parking spaces are available at the Hotel Morteratsch.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.