- Brief description
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One of the classic routes in the Engadin region.
- Difficulty
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medium
- Rating
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- Starting point
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Ospizia Bernina Train Station
- Route
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Ospizio Bernina (2,253 m)Alp Grüm (2,091 m)4.6 kmAlbergo Ristorante Stazione Alp Grüm4.7 kmStablini5.6 kmCavaglia7.3 kmBuffet Diego7.7 kmStazione Cavaglia7.7 kmCavaglia (1,692 m)7.7 kmPoschiavo (1,014 m)13.3 kmPuschlav (1,014 m)13.6 km
- Best season
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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Description
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The Bernina to Poschiavo descent is one of my personal all time favourite Swiss routes. 1300m of descent to Poschiavo and almost all of it on singletrail. Starting in a high alpine climate and finishing in the Mediterranean climate of the Puschlav Valley. If you have time a Pizza and/or Gellati at the square in Poschiavo is a must.
- Directions
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From Ospizia Bernina ride south along the edge of Lago Bianco. The fire road crosses the railway lines and at the southern end of the lake passes some industrial looking buildings and veers to the right. At this point there is one fireroad that goes up into the mountains and one that only goes up a few meters before descending again. Take the lower of these tracks and ride it until you come to a junction where a singletrail drops down to your left into a valley, goes straight ahead into the woods or to the right towards the railway lines.
The trail to the left is the more technical trail and suited to higher skilled riders, the trail to the right is much easier for those not comfortable with steep alpine terrain. (This trail rejoins with the easier option at Cavaglia)
Keep riding your chosen trail down past Alp Grum and Cavaglia. At Alp Grum you turn to the right down a graded gravel trail with stone drainage channels. This trail is pinch flat heaven. I’ve brought about 20 different people down this trail at various times and nearly every one of them pinch flatted at least once on this section. Pack spare tubes and either slow down for the drainage channels or bunnyhop them.
Just before you re-enter the trail after the paved road section at Cavaglia take a moment to look at the Glacier Mills to your left. There is a metal staircase which takes you down a few metres to look into the holes which were bored out by stones getting rolled over by the glacier which once filled the valley.
Eventually the trail drops into the woods crossing the railway lines a number of times. Each time it crosses the railway lines there is an obvious trail to follow on the other side. Do not ride down the side of the train tracks.
The woodland section of the trail is fast and flowing with some switchbacks thrown in for good measure it ends with a nice drop down onto a road just outside Poschiavo. Directly across the road at the end of the trail there is a small farm path that keeps going down hill and through a small tunnel which brings you to the main road into Poschiavo where you can get the train back up to the top of Berninapass and then ride the trail down to Pontrasina.
- Highest point
- 2,256 m
- Endpoint
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Poschiavo Train Station
- Height profile
- © outdooractive.com
- Equipment
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An "All Mountain" or "Enduro" bike is optimal for this route. Pack extra spare tubes for the section between Alp Grüm and Cavaglia as
- Safety instructions
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For the most part the trail is only moderately technical, but there are one or two sections which are a little more challenging. Care should be taken.
- Tips
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Mountain biking in Engadin is at it's best in Autumn.
- Additional information
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Take time out to look at the Glacier Mills in Cavaglia and the view of the Palu Glacier from Alp Grüm.
Link this tour with the "Bernina - Pontrasina" tour with lunch in Poschiavo. Be careful not to miss the last train back to the top of the pass from Poschiavo (18:37 from Poschiavo)
For more of our favourite tours remember to check out www.swissalpineadventure.com - tours.
- Directions
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A3/A13 to Thusis, take the exit for Tiefencastel/St. Moritz. Drive over Julierpass and turn left in Silvaplana towards St. Moritz. Drive past the lake in St. Moritz and past Celerina. At the roundabout take the first exit towards Pontrasina/Berninapass. Stay on the road and drive to the top of Berninapass or Pontrasina.
- Public transportation
- Parking
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Parking is available at the top of Berninapass and in Pontrasina. If you park in Pontrasina you have the choice of either riding or taking the train to the top of the pass and also getting off the train at the top of the pass and also descending the north side of the pass back to Pontrasina to make a whole day of the ride.
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AuthorThe tour Bernina - Poschiavo is used by outdooractive.com provided.
Surfaces
General info
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Veltlin / Valtellina
204
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Puschlav / Valposchiavo
197
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Puschlav
44