Diavolezza is a ski resort in St Moritz. In summer, the cable car brings you to a rocky viewpoint over the Morteratsch glacier, with views of the famous Piz Pal and Piz Bernina peaks. Truly breathtaking!
The shortest hike here goes to the “Highest Fire Pit in Europe,” an absolutely irresistible invitation to our crew. It’s a short but steep rocky hike up the fire pit, where we had a fun picnic. Our boys were endlessly entertained stacking rocks in various formations. We loved it so much, we never wanted to leave.
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| Location: | Engadin St Moritz, Graubünden, Switzerland |
| Address: | Diavolezza cable car |
| Car: | Parking: Morteratsch 2, 7504 Pontresina (46°26’31.4″N 9°58’57.7″E) From St Moritz 20 ins, from Zurich 3 hours |
| Transit: | Bus stop: Bernina Diavolezza From St Moritz 20 mins, from Zürich 3hr45 |
| Trail: | 1.5 km round trip, about 30 mins each way |
| Condition: | rocky trail, no strollers |
| Skill: | moderate |
| Services: | restaurant, picnic area with fire pit |
| Open: | late June to mid October |
| Prices 2022: | Return adult CHF 44, child CHF 14.50, under 6 free SBB Half-fare and Junior cards not accepted. Included in Engadin Mountain Railways Inclusive Pass. |
| More info: | www.corvatsch-diavolezza.ch • webcam • forecast |
Location
Diavolezza is a glacier viewpoint in the Engadin region of southeast Switzerland. See on Google Maps.
Hiking map
Diavolezza cable car takes you from the valley to a mountain viewpoint at about 3000 meters, overlooking glaciers and mountain peaks. From the top, you can hike up a rocky path to the fire pit, only about 700m but it took our family about 40 minutes one way. If you reserve ahead, the restaurant at the top will sell you a picnic pack, with wood and sausages to grill.
Getting There
This is too far for a day trip from Zurich, better if you are staying in the Engadin. Diavolezza is about a 20 mins drive from St. Moritz and 10 mins from Pontresina.
By car: Drive toward Pontresina and continue on the main road south, farther down valley until you see the Diavolezza cable car station and parking lot on your right.
By public transport: Take a train to Pontresina, then another train to Bernina Diavolezza, which is directly adjacent to the cable car station.
Ticket prices
In 2022, a cable car return ticket costs CHF 44/adult, CHF 14.50/child age 6-15, under 6 free. No discount with Swiss travel card or passes. Free with Engadin Mountains Railways Inclusive offer, and other Engadin hiking passes.
Opening Times
The Diavolezza cable car is open for summer season from May through mid October. It runs every 20 mins from 8:20 to 17:00 (a bit longer in high summer). Check website for current info.
Photo story
Glacier Overlook
The main attraction at Diavolezza is simply the view of the glacier and surrounding mountain peaks. It speaks for itself. Most people are just lounging among the rocks, enjoying the view. We sat for a long time, sunning ourselves, while our boys built rock towers. There’s also a restaurant with lots of outdoor seating.
Hike to Fire Pit
Most hiking options here are for more technical, serious hikers. Most hikers had rock climbing or glacier equipment and were headed into the peaks. Casual hikers could hike all the way down, but I wouldn’t really recommend it.
The best option for families is to hike up to Sass Queder, to the “Highest Feuerstelle in Europe!”. It’s a short hike, about 30 minutes, but it’s very rocky and mostly straight up. Definitely no strollers. First you walk for a couple minutes from the cable car station on a wide dusty path (shown above) to the base of Sass Queder, a big pile of rocks (shown below).
Then you follow the rocky “trail” up to the top of the big pile of rocks called Sass Queder. You’ll need to keep little kids close and probably hold their hands on most of it. Sometimes it’s hard to even see the trail, but you’ll make it if you just keep going up.
If you’re planning to grill, you can bring everything with you or buy a fire making kit (CHF 8.50) at the restaurant the top of cable car. They also have a small selection of picnic/grill food if you need it. See this order form for details. We bought the fire kit but found that there was lots of wood at the fire pit, making the kit unnecessary. I don’t know if that’s always the case. The kit did have a fire starter and kindling, so that is helpful if you don’t already have your own.
It’s a very nice fire pit, sheltered from the wind and benches to sit on. There’s a grill, so you don’t need sticks (won’t find any either), but you’ll want a knife or other utensil to help tend your food on the grill.
You’ll have a 360 degree view from the fire pit, both of the glaciers and valley below.
Sass Queder is a big pile of rocks, so there are plenty of opportunities to build rock towers.
View from fire pit back to cable car station.
Our boys spent a lot of time adding to this rock shelter that was already in progress.
