Hike from Alp Grüm to Cavaglia with view of the Palü Glacier

Saturday August 8th -- After two nights at our B&B in Campascio, we headed back home on Day 3, back past Lago Poschiavo and up the zigzag railway line toward Lago Bianco and the Bernina Pass. Since we had to give up on our plan to travel into the valley called Val da Camp, we just organized a different three-hour hike near the Bernina Pass, starting at Alp Grüm and walking down to the high plateau called Cavaglia, but not via the beautiful turquoise lake called Lake Palü, because we are familiar with that trail, having done it twice already. (Actually also part of the Via Valtellina).

Instead, first up to the Hotel Belvedere and around the other side of the mountain, the side where the train winds its way up from Poschiavo. After descending to a little hidden lake called Lagh da l'Ombra, we then climbed up the far side of the valley, from where we spent some time watching the Rhaetian Railway wind its way up the hillside. Although the trail was narrow, overgrown at places and sometimes a bit difficult to navigate, it wasn't a particularly difficult nor long walk for us (max. 3 hours), but we were quite satisfied with the outing, before the long five hours back home, via the Albula tunnel this time....

In Campascio at the southern end of the Poschiavo Valley is the tiny train stop where we get on to head back up North

(Just wanted to add this collage of moths, dozens of which were using the inside of the train stop/station as their overnight accommodation! I found at least six different kinds!)

Heading over the Brusio Viaduct for the fourth time in three days!

VIDEO:

Another trip around the Brusio 360-Viaduct!

Early morning light on Lake Poschiavo as we travel toward the mountains where the trail ascends to Alp Grüm

Looking back down the lake, lovely early morning lighting.

The train winds its way up from the Poschiavo Valley toward Cavaglia

Train station at Cavaglia, this is the end of our hike. From here the train winds its way up the Val da Pila to Alp Grüm. Val da Pila is the valley we are discovering this day.

A look down at the plateau which is Cavaglia. We're coming down the hill from the left at the end of our 3-hour hike.

Another glimpse of the Palü Lake and Glacier from the Alp Grüm side. A favourite place of ours..

Interesting side note: As we were passing this section, the train conductor explained to us that just 13 years ago, the glacier reached all the way to the top of the lower waterfall. A piece of glacier broke off, exposing the rock beneath it, which caused the glacier to melt very quickly, as the rock was heated by the sun. That and additional calving of the glacier means it retreated so much in just a few years!

Close-up of the Palü Glacier

The train station at Alp Grüm. From here the train continues to the Bernina Pass, but we got off here and walked up to the Hotel Belvedere, which perches with a lovely view of Cavaglia

Previously we have walked twice to the Lagh da Caralin Lake below the Palü Glacier. This time we opted for a less exciting but also very nice hike in the next valley over, where we watched the train ascending on the switchback railway line.

Hotel Belvedere

Walking toward the back of the Val da Pila. Coming out will be along the mountain flank on the right, at about this same level

Before descending to Lagh da l'Ombra, a quick peak again at the Palü Glacier. Perched high above us is the hotel called Sassal Mason. We spent a night there in Sept.2013 when we did our first hike to below the glacier. 

Standing near the railway line before descending to the little lake

VIDEO:

The Bernina Express emerging from the tunnel

Nice little trail downhill through the forest

The little lake was pretty unassuming!

A short break at Lagh da l'Ombra before heading up the hill on the other side of the valley

Heading back up the hill to continue southward

Rock formations above us on the trail

The trail wasn't particularly difficult to walk, but it was narrow and required some concentration.

Another impressive ant hill

We found a great outcropping where we could watch the Bernina Express winding its way up and down the hillside toward Alp Grüm or Cavaglia

VIDEO:

Watching the Bernina Express along its run up the hill 

from Cavaglia to Alp Grüm

Train crossing

Great place for a view!

Looking across the valley at the Hotel Belvedere and where we walked to the back of this valley. On the far side is, once again, the Palü Glacier

Continuing along the hillside

Our last stop before the descent to Cavaglia: This place is called Prairol, and what a beautiful spot it was for having a vacation home!

Also here a cellar made of stones, but looked like it was not in active use

The owners of the property were at home, and allowed us access to the land so we could have a good look to the East into Val da Camp, where we had actually hoped to go on this trip.

What a wonderful location. I would be sitting in this field all day, if I had this view.

Time to head down to Cavaglia

Easy descent to Cavaglia

Another lovely location for a house!

Filling up with cool well water

A good place to rest

Arriving in Cavaglia

Good timing again, we only had to wait about 5-10 minutes for the next train.

Google Earth view of the approx. 3-hour hike we did, before continuing on the way home.

All the hikes we have done in the area of the Bernina Pass. A couple of them twice.

Heading up toward the Bernina Pass, we again passed the gorgeous view of the Palü Glacier, then rode along Lake Bianco, back to Pontresina, and then took the other tunnel, the Albula Tunnel, which is also always a treat, as you ride through the wonderful Albula Valley with all its tunnels and bridges (The entire stretch from the Bernina Region to the Albula Valley is another UNESCO World Heritage Site). Another five hours to get home...

One more time passing Lake Palü and the Palü Glacier

Riding along Lake Bianco. The peak on the right with the building on top is Piz Lagalb, which we walked around on the way down here.

VIDEO:

Train ride along Lago Bianco

Cambrena Glacier

Val Minor where we walked up the first day

Piz Palü

Morteratsch Glacier and Piz Bernina

VIDEO:

Passing the Morteratsch Glacier and Mt. Bernina

As we emerge from the Albula Tunnel at Preda, an announcement lets us know that they are building a new Albula Tunnel, as the old one is getting worn down. All these conveyor belts are required to remove the drilled rock!

Bergün in the Albula Valley

The ever-amazing Landwasser Viaduct