Boval Hut at the Morteratsch Glacier

Among the glaciers descending from the peaks of the Bernina Range, the Morteratsch Glacier is one of the most extensive and perhaps the most easily accessible. The Capanna Boval, a large refuge located on the western slopes of the Morteratsch valley, provides a magnificent vantage point over the glacier, as well as many peaks of the Bernina group, the famous Biancograt ridge, and the impressive tongue of the Diavolezza.

Reaching the Capanna Boval involves no technical difficulty and requires only 2.00/2.30 hours of walking. The route is passable from summer (late June) until the first autumn snowfalls and is particularly spectacular (snow permitting) in the last two weeks of October when the valley explodes with the autumnal colors of the larch trees.

The starting point is the large parking lot near the Morteratsch station of the Bernina Express (1896m); the trail first leads us flat towards the glacier, then begins to ascend slowly on the right side of the valley.

The environment becomes progressively more austere, the vegetation becomes increasingly sparse until it disappears, making way for a barren moraine landscape. The most interesting part of our excursion begins when we reach the crest of the moraine ridge (about 2200m): the Morteratsch Glacier, much lower on our left, now reveals itself in all its beauty and expanse.

After climbing a rocky bluff with some narrow switchbacks, we arrive at the Capanna Boval (Chamanna da Boval) of the CAS (2495m, 2 hours); the views of the glacier, the Diavolezza, and the peaks of the Bernina group are breathtaking.

We return by the same route of ascent (1.30 hours).

On the way back, once back in the valley, you can walk on flat ground towards the glacier and — if you wish — reach its forefront. Along the way, signs indicate the position of the forefront from the times of the Little Ice Age (which ended around 1850) until today, documenting the dramatic retreat of the glacier.