Morteratschgletscher

Morteratschgletscher is a glacier in the Swiss Alps, located in the canton of Graubünden at the northern end of the Bernina Range in the Engadin valley, near the village of Pontresina. It is one of the most visited glaciers in Switzerland and lies within the Bernina National Park, a protected alpine area.

Geographically, the glacier forms the headwaters of the Morteratschtal and feeds streams that join the Inn river basin. It has retreated considerably over the past century, leaving behind a wide moraine plain and exposing rock as its ice front has shortened and thinned. The Morteratschgletscher is part of a larger glacial system in the Bernina Massif and is a prominent feature of the local landscape.

Historically and climatically, the glacier has shrunk since the end of the Little Ice Age, with recent decades showing sustained retreat and thinning consistent with broader Alpine warming. While fluctuations occur from year to year due to snowfall, the long-term trend in recent times is toward retreat.

Access and tourism are well developed. The glacier is reachable by a marked trail from Pontresina and by the Bernina line railway, with a stop at Morteratsch. A glacier path, known as the Gletscherlehrpfad, provides educational displays about glaciology and climate, and there is a viewing platform and visitor facilities near the terminus. The area attracts hikers, photographers, and those interested in alpine science and landscapes.

Conservation status: The Morteratschgletscher lies within protected areas of the Bernina National Park, aimed at preserving alpine ecosystems, landscape values, and natural glacier processes while accommodating sustainable visitor use.