We loved our stay at the Boval hut, overlooking the Morteratsch glacier and surrounding peaks. The hike to the hut is 5km one way, with 600m in elevation gain, which is challenging for little kids but not too difficult. We saw several other families on the trail. The accommodations and food were no frills, but the view of the glacier was fantastic. This glacier has receded dramatically recently and there are photos along the trail, showing how it looked at different point over over the last 100 years. We recommend this hike both for day trippers and overnight stays.
For an easier outing, you can do an easy valley walk up to the glacier ice, trail map for that below.
| Location: | Engadin, Graubünden Switzerland |
| Address: | Morteratsch |
| Car: | Parking: 46°27’12.1″N 9°56’28.8″E 15 mins from St Moritz, 3 hours from Zurich |
| Train: | Train stop: Morteratsch 25 mins from St Moritz, 3hr40 from Zurich HB |
| Trail: | 5 km each way, about 2.5 hours to the hut |
| Condition: | dirt, alpine path |
| Skill: | moderate, 600m elevation gain |
| Open: | June through October |
| More info: | www.boval.ch |
Location
The Morteratsch glacier is located in southeast Switzerland near St Moritz. The trail to the Boval hut starts in Morteratsch, easily accessible by car or train (no mountain transport required).
Trail map
The hike to the Boval hut starts at the Morteratsch train station and hikes about 5 km up the valley, on the west hillside bordering the glacier. The trail is narrow dirt alpine trail with some steep parts and switchbacks, gaining 600m in elevation. You do not have direct access to the glacier ice on this hike. My 8 year old said the trail “wasn’t hard, but it makes you tired.” We saw lots of kids on the trail, the youngest maybe 6 years old. It certainly takes effort but it’s not technically difficult.
Shorter hike
You can walk directly to the glacier ice on a relatively easy wide dirt path in the valley. The path is smooth and suitable for all-terrain strollers. It’s 3 km each way, plan for about 2 hours. There are many informational signboards along the way and a puzzle booklet for kids with activities along the trail and stamps to collect to earn a prize at the end. Get more info about this trail.
Staying at the hut
You can eat lunch at the hut and hike back in the same day. If you stay overnight, you’ll need a reservation for weekends in case it fills up. Contact info on their website. We called to reserve just two days ahead. They spoke English.
See my Mountain Huts with Kids post for an overview of how these huts work.
Getting There
The hut is located in the lower Engadin, Graubunden region, south of Pontresina as shown on the map below.
By car: Drive south of Pontresina and turn off at the Morteratsch sign, which takes you down a narrow paved road, past a camping area, to a big metered dirt parking lot near the train station. You can park here for up to 5 days. The other small parking areas along the road are limited to a few hours.
By transit: Take a train to Pontresina, then another local train to Morteratsch. The train station drops off directly at the trail head.
Morteratsch is southeast of Pontresina. You’ll turn off the main road onto a narrow access road that passes by a campground and some small parking areas. At the end of the road, there is a big metered parking lot (multiday parking allowed). This parking lot can fill up on busy weekends. When we went, there was a sign saying the parking lot was full and the road closed. We just kept driving and there were lots of spots. So use your best judgment. Please note that if you are staying overnight, the other smaller parking areas only let you park for a few hours, not overnight.
Trail Impressions
From the parking lot at the end of the road, it’s a short walk up the river to a hotel/restaurant with patio seating and the Morteratsch train station shown below. The restaurant is expensive but there is also a kiosk next door selling sausage and ice cream. No grocery or kiosk so make sure you have all your supplies beforehand. If you need supplies, drive back to Pontresina where you’ll find a Coop.
Cross the tracks to access the trail.
The river is raging near the start of the trail. This is a nice place for a picnic before you head out, but no swimming, the water is too rough.
The hike to the hut forks to the right on a small footpath that leads up into the forest. Follow signs to “Chna. Boval CAS.” The wider flat trail stays in the valley and leads to the ice.
This is an alpine trail with lots of lumpy rocky sections. Hiking sticks are recommended.
You cross a few streams with walkways.
There were a few old pictures of the glacier along the trail, showing how much bigger it was, not so long ago.
A few waterfalls and streams coming down the mountain.
Looking back down the trail. We started at the far end of that valley.
Heading up the side of this mountain.
Very rocky trail.
Enjoying the glacier.
So happy to finally see the hut above us.
We arrived about 18:30 in mid-July when the sun had already slipped behind the peaks.
Our beds on long bunks. Dinner with the other guests. We were served mushroom cream soup, salad, spaghetti bolognese, meiringue with cream for dessert. We could get as much free tap water as we liked, just ask at the front (also to fill up water bottles). Other drinks were available for purchase. Your one dish is used for all courses. See my Mountain Huts with Kids post for more info about how these huts work, rules, etc.
We spent the evening admiring the glacier from above.
Sunset on the alps.
Many guests get up at 4:00 to start their long hikes to the surrounding peaks. They are a little noisy but my kids didn’t wake up. Most other guests get up around 6:00, which is when we woke up because sun was pouring into the rooms and lots of people were rustling around. It was nice to enjoy sunrise on the alps.
After breakfast we chatted with other guests who were planning their day.
Back on the trail heading back down.
About 2/3 of the way down, the trail forks to the right and you can take an alternate way back, hiking down to the valley trail. We took this on the way back and it was very nice.
This alternate section winds down through forest and boulders.
Looking back at the glacier, now so far away.
Back on the flat wide dusty trail in the valley. No tree cover here so it was very hot!
Keep walking until you reach the Morteratsch train station or your car at the parking area. I hope you enjoy this hike!
See more hikes along glaciers in Switzerland.
5 responses
Hi, long-time fan of your website here!
Do you happen to know if there are day hikes to do with the kids (13 and 10) from the hut? We are considering staying up there a second night. Spending the day in between going up and coming down doing some hiking near the hut. Does that make sense?
Thanks and best!
Alice
I don’t think so since it’s right at the base of the glacier. Most people stay there so they can do a glacier trek on the snow. Looking at the trail network on SchweizMobil.ch , I only see one trail leading from the hut and it goes to a mountain peak above the hut. But according to the Boval website, it looks like a climbing route, not a real trail. Probably better to just stay one night there.
Love your blog guys.
I’ll be doing the Boval Hut hike next week with alone with my two kids (8 and 10).
I was wondering if the trail is well marked? I mean, I’m really a beginner in these things and is it possible to get lost?
Thanks so much for your reply.
Sara
Hi Sara, I’m so sorry I’m answering your question too late for your hike. I hope you found your way and enjoyed your visit to the Boval Hut. For future reference, I found the trail quite easy to follow since there were not other trails forking off in other directions. I hope you come back to tell us about your experience and how you liked the trail. For future hikes, you might like to use a mapping app like Komoot so you can see the trail on your phone and see where you are on the trail. That’s what we do.