Morteratsch

Morteratsch is a locality in the municipality of Pontresina, in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. It lies in the Engadin valley at the head of the Val Bernina and is closely associated with the nearby glacier of the same name. The area is known for its dramatic alpine scenery, comprising the Bernina Range and views of high peaks above the valley floor.

Morteratschgletscher, the Morteratsch Glacier, is a prominent glacier in the Bernina Alps near Pontresina. It forms a wide tongue that extends down the valley and terminates near moraine fields at the valley floor. The glacier has retreated substantially since the end of the 19th century, a change linked to long-term climate warming. Today it remains a popular destination for visitors and researchers, offering opportunities to observe crevasses, ice movement, and the effects of retreat.

Access to the Morteratsch area is facilitated by the Bernina railway, with the Morteratsch railway station serving as a gateway for hikers and day-trippers. From Pontresina and surrounding trails, visitors can reach viewpoints along the glacier front and learn about glaciology and Alpine geology through on-site information is and interpretive paths.

In addition to its natural value, the Morteratsch region is a focal point for tourism in the Engadin, attracting hikers, photographers, and climbers. The glacier and its surroundings continue to be monitored by scientists as part of broader studies on Alpine glaciation and climate change, contributing to an ongoing record of environmental change in the Swiss Alps.