The highest pass through the Alps, the Bernina Pass between Switzerland and Italy is one of the most beautiful routes in Europe. The winding highway through mountain peaks can be lined with snow as late as June. Aerial Tram cable cars rise to the mountain peaks all year at the Diavolezza Nordic Park where skiing is a short train ride from St. Moritz on the tracks of the Rhaetian rail line. The Berggasthaus Diavolezza, a hotel and restaurant at 3,000 meters, is situated amidst breathtaking glacial scenery at the top of the Diavlezza Berg Bahn with views of the Bernina Massif rock face and boasting Europe’s highest jacuzzi. In summer you can hike to mountain peaks on Nordic walking trails and in winter, ski the glacial snows. For driving from Switzerland to northern Italy, on a back road trip from Munich to Trento or Milan, the Bernina Pass is an impressive scenic route alternate to the main trans-Alps auto route, but at the high altitude can be severely subject to weather. But all year this area can be enjoyed by rail.

The Bernina Express on the Rhaetian Railway line between Chur and Tirano is one of the most majestic railway routes in the world, as well as a technical achievement. The Albula rail line from Chur to St. Moritz climbs without the cogwheels of some other mountain lines across the remarkable Landwasser viaduct. Stop in at that icon of swiss resort elegance St. Moritz and continue of over the Bernina Pass to Valpaschiava and Tirono in the southern Italian Alps slopes. The Bernina Express climbs at a graceful pace past the impressive Morteratsch Glacier to the 2,253 meter pass. At the height of the pass, in the midst of ski runs and the train stops at the stone built Ospizio Bernina rail station, which takes the visitor back to old rail days with its hand signal desk, actual original cardboard tickets, date stamped by the station master.