Route: Morteratsch Glacier walk
Area: Eastern Swiss Alps
Date of walk: 30th June 2014
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.2 miles
Weather: cloudy but plenty of sunny intervals
We’d been planning a high level walk today but last night’s freak snow made us pause for thought. The mountains were covered and we decided it would be safer to stay low. A visit to see the glacier at Morteratsch would fit the bill perfectly. This is a popular walk so we caught an early train from just outside our hotel and disembarked at Morteratsch a few minutes later
We set off down the wide track leading to the glacier. It was very easy going and it was apparent that we were the first people here today. Every so often there were information signs to show how far the glacier has retreated over the years – fascinating
We soon reached the glacier itself, an awesome sight, and after spending some time looking around we headed back down the track. We were glad to have come early as parties of visitors were by now walking past us in the other direction. We noticed a minor path leading off the main track and decided to follow this to get away from the crowds. This was an enjoyable end to the outing
We were back at the start by 11am and as this wasn’t a strenuous walk, we planned another one as we returned on the train – click here for part two of this great day
Click on the icon below for the route map
Surovas Station 8am, our destination is just a few minutes down the line
We leave Morteratsch Station and cross over the line to join the track to the glacier
It’s a wide and very easy path and hence popular, but we’re the first people here today so we have the place to ourselves
There are signs at regular intervals showing how far the glacier has retreated into the valley. This is where it ended in 1920, 204 metres further back than in 1900
The Morteratsch Glacier - a few small trees have started to grow where the glacier once was
The rock marks the position of the glacier in 1980, a retreat of 1,619m since 1900
Looking to the side, it’s clear where the glacier once was
We cross a small bridge which has some animal footprints in the snow
We return back along the track
We turn off the main track to take a quieter narrow path up the mountain side
Our early start meant we avoided the crowds which were gathering by now, and also that we still had time for another walk - click here
