Details: Alp Languard to Fuorcla Pischa

Get off the beaten path with this scenic hike climbing to Fuorcla Pischa, a high pass at the head of Val Languard. The hike enjoys great views of the glacier clad Bernina massif, Piz Languard and the stark basin, sprinkled with tarns, below Pischa Pass.

To Fuorcla Pischa and Bernina Suot

Note: Piz in Romansh, a language spoken in the Swiss Engadine, means peak, fuorcla means pass and chamanna is hut. So Piz Languard is Languard Peak, Fuorcla Pischa is Pischa Pass and Chamanna Segantini is Segantini Hut.

In Pontresina, ride the Languard chairlift to Alp Languard. (See trailhead directions below.) Outside the lift station find the trail signpost and start waking east toward Piz Languard and Fuorcla Pischa.

The trail angles up the northeast side of Val Languard on the southwest facing slopes between Piz Muragl and Piz Languard, accompanied by fine views of Piz Cambrena, Palu and Bernina in the distance to the south. At 0.2 miles the trail splits with the path to the right (southeast) heading toward Chamanna Paradis (Paradis Hut) and Lej Languard (Lake Languard). We bear left toward Piz Languard and Fuorcla Pischa.

The trail now climbs steeply through meadows. Ahead are fine views of Piz Languard, the Languard ridge and Piz Albris. To the west the high peaks rimming the Upper Engadine Valley form the backdrop for St. Moritz sprawled along the valley floor. The rugged ridge between Piz Muragl and Piz Languard rises to the north. As you gain elevation views expand to the Morteratsch Glacier flowing down the deep valley beneath Piz Bernina.

Pass a second trail branching right (southeast) toward Chamanna Paradis and Lej Languard at 0.9 miles and then at 1.3 miles a trail branching left to Chamanna Segantini (Segantini Hut). We continue toward Piz Languard and Fuorcla Pischa.

The path now ascends steep switchbacks beneath the south facing slopes of Piz Languard, passing a third trail to Lej Languard at 1.6 miles. Another series of steep switchbacks lead to the high point (9,600-ft.) of the hike and a junction at 1.8 miles with a trail branching left to the summit of Piz Languard. (See the Piz Languard hike for more information.) We bear right toward Fuorcla Pischa and Bernina Suot.

The path now descends gently along scree covered slopes beneath the Crasta Languard (Languard ridge). Ahead Piz Albris rises above the head of the Languard valley, a rocky landscape dotted with small tarns. The Bernina massif, adorn with glaciers, rises beyond the Paradis ridge rimming the valley to the south.

At 2.5 miles pass the last trail descending to Lej Languard and Chamanna Paradis before the pass. For those walking to the pass and back this trail offers an alternative return to the Alp Languard chairlift.

The trail now ascends on easy grades through a rocky moonscape toward the pass. Turn around as you climb for incredible views of Piz Languard, Crasta Languard and the peaks of the Upper Engadine Valley towering above St. Moritz.

Reach Fuorcla Pischa (9,341-ft.) at 3.1 miles. Piz Albris towers above the pass to the south. Piz Pischa and Piz dal Fain dominate the view to the east. Lej da Pischa (Pischa Lake) and smaller tarns lie amid rock knolls and scree slopes below the peaks. Piz Alv and Piz Minor rise above the southeast side of the Val da Fain. In the distance are the peaks rimming the Swiss-Italian border.

You can turn around at the pass and return to Alp Languard for a 6.2 miles round-trip hike. I personally prefer to cover new ground, so I recommend continuing the hike over the pass to Bernina Suot. Note the descent from the pass to Bernina Suot loses over 2,700-ft.

The path descends the east side of Fuorcla Pischa and soon reaches a junction. We bear right toward Bernina Suot. The trail to the left leads to Lake Pischa and the route to Fuorcla Tschuffer.

Beyond the intersection the trail descends on moderate to moderately steep grades for 0.3 miles and then traverses along a bench through a starkly beautiful landscape of rock outcroppings, boulder fields and small tarns. Look down to see small flower growing amid the rocks beside the trail.

At 3.7 miles the bench abruptly ends and views open to the Val da Fain, a deep, emerald green valley rimmed by granite peaks. The trail now descends steeply beneath the east facing slopes of Piz Albris. Ahead are lovely views of Piz Cambrena, Piz Palu, Piz Zupo, and Piz Bernina soaring above the Diavolezza area. Lago Bianco, a large reservoir at Bernina Pass, dominates the view to the southeast. Behind you a waterfall on the outlet stream for Lake Pischa cascades down steep cliffs into the Val da Fain.

At 4.2 miles the trail turns left (northeast) at a sharp hairpin curve. A short distance beyond the path turns right (southeast), descending a series of tight, steep switchbacks down grassy slopes to the west of Lake Pischa’s outlet stream. The switchbacks end at 5.1 miles and the grade abates as the path curves to the right (south). The trail now descends to a wide track along the valley floor at 5.4 miles. Here we turn right (down valley) toward Bernina Suot. (Note: bikes are allowed on this trail.)

The track now descends on easy to moderate grades down the Val da Fain above the west side of the Fain River. At 6.1 miles pass a trail branching left to Alp Bernina. At 6.4 miles the track exits the mouth of the valley and crosses a bridge over the Bernina River. On the south side of the bridge turn left at the junction. Soon the trail reaches the highway. Carefully cross the highway and enter the car park for the Diavolezza cable car, train station and bus stop. Reach the trail station/bus stop at 6.7 miles. It is also possible to turn right after crossing the highway and follow a trail to the Bernina Suot train station. Diavolezza is closer.