Bernina Pass

A spectacular mountain pass at 2,330m connecting the Engadin Valley with Italy, famous for the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express train with its iconic red viaduct. The pass offers dramatic Alpine scenery and serves as a gateway to Italian culture.

Things to do

• Ride the Bernina Express — Take the UNESCO-listed red train from Chur through the pass, crossing the famous 65-meter Landwasser Viaduct and descending into the Italian Valposchiavo valley.
• Walk the Circulo Lago Bianco Trail — A moderate 2-hour loop around the stunning turquoise glacial lake at the pass summit, offering 360-degree Alpine views and photo opportunities.
• Visit Ospizio San Gottardo — Explore this historic hospice building at the pass, which offers refreshments and insight into the region's mountain heritage and the pass's centuries-old importance as a trade route.
• Drive or cycle the Bernina Pass Road — Navigate the hairpin turns and switchbacks of this dramatic mountain road with numerous pullouts for viewing the granite peaks, larch forests, and valleys below.
• Explore Poschiavo village — Descend to this charming Italian-influenced settlement on the southern side of the pass, known for its colorful arcaded buildings and strong Italian cultural heritage.
• Hike to Passo del Grosio — Undertake a scenic high-altitude trek from Bernina Pass to this neighboring pass at 2,520m, rewarding hikers with panoramic views of the Bernina massif and glaciers.

Food to try

• Pizzoccheri — A hearty buckwheat pasta dish from the Valposchiavo region served with potatoes, cabbage, and local cheese—a warming comfort food essential to Alpine cuisine.
• Casera cheese — A semi-hard cow's milk cheese produced in mountain dairies throughout Graubünden and the Poschiavo valley, with a rich flavor reflecting Alpine herbs and grasses.
• Spezzatino di selvaggina — A traditional game stew featuring venison or chamois, slowly braised with herbs and local wine, reflecting the region's hunting heritage and Italian influence.
• Pane di segale — Dark rye bread baked using recipes passed down through generations in mountain communities, providing essential sustenance on the pass and in surrounding valleys.
• Castagnaccio — An Italian chestnut cake from the lower Poschiavo slopes, made with chestnut flour, rosemary, and pine nuts, traditionally served in autumn.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect the weather window — Bernina Pass can close suddenly from October to April due to heavy snow; always check conditions before planning travel and allow extra time for weather changes.
• Language transition point — The pass marks a cultural boundary where Swiss German (Romansh in Engadin) gives way to Italian; locals appreciate visitors who acknowledge both cultural spheres.
• Historic pilgrimage tradition — The pass has been a crossing point for traders, pilgrims, and armies for centuries; respecting this heritage by using official paths and staying on designated routes honors the landscape's significance.
• Support local train heritage — The Bernina Express is more than tourism—it's essential infrastructure for local communities; purchasing tickets directly and respecting train schedules supports regional economic tradition.