Morteratsch Glacier's Ice Cave: Exploring the Hidden Wonders

Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps in Canton Graubünden, the Morteratsch Glacier stands as a magnificent testament to the raw beauty of our world. This colossal ice mass, situated in the Engadin Valley near the town of Pontresina, is one of the easiest glacier to access by foot, thanks to the wide and mostly flat path. The ice cave is more difficult to access (through deep snow covering rocks and a river) but the mesmerizing dance of light and shadows on the icy surface made it totally worth the struggle.

Watch the reel:

Useful info:

• Start of the hike: at the Morteratsch train station

• Access: by train to Morteratsch or by car (parking available for a fee)

• Duration: ~1h until the glacier (easy) and another 30-45 min to the ice cave through deep snow (difficult), account for roughly the same time of the way back

• Where to stay (not sponsored): Morteratsch Glacier Hotel 

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The full story:

Anto and I visited this glacier for the first time in April 2023, when the mountain flanks were only covered in rocks and dust. We had hiked from the Morteratsch train station until the glacier in an easy stroll on a gravel road and reached the glacier in under an hour. Once at the glacier, we had hoped to hike up to the ice cave, but large stones falling from the mountain tops made it quite dangerous.

Fast forward to December 2023 and still determined to see the ice cave, we tried our luck again. In winter, the walk from the train station to the glacier is still an easy one; on the snow-covered path, you'll encounter many cross-country skiers going up and down the ~6km loop. Once at the end of the valley, with the glacier in front of you, you can spot the ice cave when looking up and to your right. That's when the most difficult (but also most fun) part of the hike starts. If you're lucky, you can clearly see the path that takes you to the ice cave. But if like for us, it snowed heavily the night before, the path is nearly non-existent. We ploughed our way through knee-deep snow (sometimes even hip-deep) until we finally reached the ice cave...and WOW. What a spectacle in front of our eyes! See for yourself with the shots below.

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Pro-trip:

Pack smartly; you'll likely feel warm on the hike up but as soon as you arrive at the ice cave and stop moving, it gets freezing cold. I recommend wearing waterproof clothes (like your ski outfit) as well as winter hiking boots. Pack some small gloves for when you're moving and some thick ones for once you stop. As always, make sure you have water and snacks with you. On the way back, stop at the Morteratsch Glacier Hotel for the famous Bündner Nusstorte; you won't be disappointed.