Rhaetian Alps
Mountains Eastern Alpine subrange with dramatic peaks and passes
High alpine range in Graubünden crossed by the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway; travellers come for hiking, skiing, glacier scenery and scenic rail journeys such as the Bernina Express.
The Rhaetian Alps are an eastern segment of the Central Alps located mainly in the Swiss canton of Graubünden (Grisons), forming rugged glaciated ranges and high valleys. The range includes some of the Eastern Alps’ highest summits and major alpine passes.
Alpine highlights include sharp glaciated peaks such as Piz Bernina (4,049 metres) and extensive ski and mountaineering terrain, while the high Engadin valley provides major resort towns and transport corridors. The range is traversed by the historic Albula and Bernina railway lines, which offer engineered mountain rail travel and spectacular views across passes and viaducts.
Historically the Rhaetian Alps have been shaped by glaciation and centuries of pastoralism, mountaineering and alpine tourism; railways built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries opened the high valleys for year-round travel and resort development. The Albula and Bernina lines received UNESCO World Heritage designation for their technical and cultural significance.
The Rhaetian Alps sit in eastern Switzerland along the borders with Italy and Austria, dominated by high passes, glaciers and the broad Engadin valley; St. Moritz and Pontresina are principal access towns for the southern and central sectors.
- Highest peak: Piz Bernina is the highest summit of the range at 4,049 metres and a focal point for mountaineering in the Eastern Alps.
- Rail access and heritage: The Albula and Bernina railway routes are UNESCO-listed for their 19th-20th century mountain railway engineering and offer year-round scenic services linking valley towns.
What to See #
- Bernina Range / Piz Bernina: The Bernina Range contains Piz Bernina, the highest peak at 4,049 metres, and classic alpine glaciers used by climbers and skiers.
- Rhaetian Railway (Albula and Bernina lines): The Albula and Bernina railway lines, operated by the Rhaetian Railway, traverse the range and are designated a UNESCO World Heritage cultural route for their mountain engineering and scenic routes.
- Upper Engadin valley: The Engadin valley forms the main inhabited corridor with towns such as St. Moritz and Pontresina serving as access points for hiking, skiing and mountain transport.
How to Get to Rhaetian Alps #
The Rhaetian Alps (in the canton of Grisons/Graubünden) are served by both road and rail. By car you can reach many access points from the A13 motorway through the Rhine valley and then on cantonal roads into side valleys; driving distances depend on the valley (for example Chur is a common gateway). The mountain area is also served by the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) with train connections from Chur and St. Moritz to numerous mountain towns and valley stations; from those stations you continue on local buses or on foot to trailheads and huts (walking distances vary by site).
Tips for Visiting Rhaetian Alps #
- Take the earliest trains or cable cars to popular passes and viewpoints (for example the Bernina/Diavolezza area) to enjoy quieter trails and mirror‑calm alpine lakes before day‑hikers and excursion trains arrive.
- Reserve panoramic train seats (Bernina/Albula lines) and book them well in advance during summer; the rail routes are UNESCO‑listed and sell out on peak days, while off‑peak departures are markedly less crowded.
- Use local buses from small towns (St. Moritz, Poschiavo, Davos) to reach trailheads rather than driving high‑traffic passes; many lesser‑visited valleys and alpine huts are easily accessed by public transport and see far fewer visitors.
Best Time to Visit Rhaetian Alps #
Choose summer for hiking and alpine scenery or winter for skiing-the Rhaetian Alps offer distinct peak seasons for outdoor activities.
Weather & Climate near Rhaetian Alps #
Rhaetian Alps's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -14°C to 10°C. Moderate rainfall (921 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -6°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -6°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 100 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -5°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
