Pontresina (Romansch Puntraschigna), once a mere village on the road to the Bernina pass and now a popular health resort, climbers' base and winter sports capital, lies in a sheltered spot in the highest side valley of the Upper Engadine, on a natural terrace facing southwest. It is surrounded by forests of stone pines and larches and enclosed by the majestic peaks of the Alps.
The two famous skiing areas of Diavolezza and Piz Lagalp make Pontresina a popular winter sports center. There are about 500km/310mi of walks in the region. Guided tours of the glaciers are popular with climbers as are the nature walks. Golf, fishing, tennis, ice-skating, long-distance skiing, curling and tobogganing as well as winter sports and summer skiing are some of the activities on offer.
Pontresina first appears in the records in 1129, but evidence has been found of human settlement here dating back to the Bronze Age. The name has been thought to derive from one Saracenus who built a bridge here. (Pons Sarasinae).
On the hillside above Ober-Pontresina are the ruins of the pentagonal Spaniola tower and the little Romanesque church of Santa Maria, with a ceiling of stone pine (1497) and frescoes of the 13th-15th C. The west wall was part of the previous building and retains wall-paintings from the 13th C. (God's appearance, The Baptism of Christ and the Last Supper). The life of Christ is depicted from the south wall to the north.
Pontresina has some elegant hotels from the Belle Epoque period, typical stone houses with sgraffiti and window grilles. The Punt Ota bridge is of 12th C. origin. In the Laret district the village church (Protestant) was built in 1640.
Between Piz Rosatsch and Piz Chalchagn a beautiful glimpse of the Roseg valley and Roseg glacier can be enjoyed. Near here is a plant reserve with an Alpine garden.
A funicular takes tourists up to Muottas Muragl for the fine views out over the Bernina group and surrounding lakes. Visitors then have the option of walking back down.
Roseg Glacier (Vadret da Roseg) is reached by a narrow road (6km/4mi; closed to traffic; horse-drawn carts) which leads up the Roseg valley to the Roseg-Gletscher restaurant (2,000 m/6,562ft). From this point it is a 30-45 minutes' walk under a fine row of stone pines to the end of the glacier, now much reduced in size. From here it is a 2.25 hours' walk to the Fuorcla Surlej and the Murtel station on the Corvatschbahn.
The Schafberg (Munt della Bes-cha, 2,731 m/8,960ft) is reached from Pontresina in 2.75 hours by way of the Unterer Schafberg restaurant (2,230 m/7,317ft), from which there are magnificent views.
On the summit, which has a prospect embracing the whole of the Bernina group, is the Segantini hut, with a tablet commemorating the painter Giovanni Segantini, who died here in 1899.
Morteratsch glacier (Vadret da Morteratsch) can be reached from Pontresina by following the Bernina road 4.5km/3mi to a little road on the right which leads to the Morteratsch Hotel (1,908 m/6,260ft). From here it is an hour's walk to the end of the glacier.
Two hours beyond Chünetta is the Boval hut of the Swiss Alpine Club (2,495 m/8,186ft; inn with beds), from which there is a superb view of the Bernina group.
Facilities: On-site accomodations, Restaurant or food service
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Muottas Muragi (Alp Languard)
Pontresina
