---
okf_version: "0.2"
type: "Article"
title: "Hike to the Morteratsch Glacier – glacier caves as a highlight of the Engadin"
description: "The winter hike from Morteratsch to the glacier tongue and the glacier caves is a unique experience because the glacier caves do not always form. Here are my impressions:"
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/switzerland/morteratsch-glacier-winter-hike"
language: en
author: "Katja Birrer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 5
tags: ["Experience", "Hiking", "Nature", "Winter", "Switzerland"]
entities:
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/switzerland"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/engadin"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/hiking"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/nature-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/winter-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/itinerary"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/landscape"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/restaurant"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2026-07-04T14:25:23+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2026-02-09T20:50:17+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: morteratsch-glacier-winter-hike.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Reisememo.ch | Walter Schärer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
    last_modified: 2025-02-24
timestamp: 2026-07-04T14:25:23+00:00
---

# Hike to the Morteratsch Glacier – glacier caves as a highlight of the Engadin

> A winter hike from Morteratsch station in the Engadin leads to the tongue of the Morteratsch Glacier and its spectacular ice caves, which form through glacial meltwater and glow in deep shades of blue. The glacier caves are best visited on a guided tour due to collapse risk and constantly changing ice structures.

## Destination
Engadin, Switzerland – starting from Morteratsch railway station (1,896 m) near Pontresina, ending at the Morteratsch Glacier tongue (approx. 2,050 m).

## Getting there
By public transport or car to Morteratsch railway station; paid parking is available on site.

## When to go
December to March is the recommended season; glacier caves are most stable in winter when cold temperatures slow ice flow.

## Why visit
The hike combines a scenic winter landscape beneath Piz Palü and Piz Bernina with rare access to transient glacier caves featuring deep blue ice formations and glittering walls — a natural phenomenon that can disappear at any time as the glacier retreats.

## What to see
- **Morteratsch Glacier tongue** — The end point of the hike at around 2,050 m, offering close-up views of the retreating glacier.
- **Glacier ice caves** — Meltwater-carved cavities inside the glacier with spectacular blue ice formations; structure changes constantly and access is not guaranteed.

## What to do
- **Guided glacier cave tour** — Led by the Pontresina Mountaineering School; departs 9 a.m. from Morteratsch station, returns around 1 p.m.; helmet and crampons provided.
- **Winter hike to the glacier** — 6.5 km, approx. 2 hours, 150 m ascent/descent; rated moderate with good footwear required.

## Good to know
Glacier caves carry a real collapse risk, especially at entrances and exits in strong sunlight — guided tours only. The Pontresina Mountaineering School provides all safety equipment. The adjacent Hotel Morteratsch restaurant is a convenient post-hike stop.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/morteratsch-glacier-hike-entrance-glacier-cave.webp"
    caption: "Lower entrance to the Morteratsch glacier cave"
    keywords: ["Excursion tip", "Engadin", "Glacier cave", "Graubünden", "Morteratsch Glacier", "Travelmemo", "Switzerland", "Winter hike"]
    captured: 2025-02-24
    geo: {latitude: 46.4219, longitude: 9.9314}
    credit: "Reisememo.ch | Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/morteratsch-glacier-hike-glacier-cave-3.webp"
    caption: "Winter hikers on the ascent to the Morteratsch Glacier"
    keywords: ["Excursion tip", "Engadin", "Glacier cave", "Graubünden", "Morteratsch Glacier", "Travelmemo", "Switzerland", "Winter hike"]
    captured: 2025-02-24
    geo: {latitude: 46.4235, longitude: 9.9328}
    credit: "Reisememo.ch | Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/morteratsch-glacier-hike-glacier-cave-13.webp"
    keywords: ["Excursion tip", "Engadin", "Glacier cave", "Graubünden", "Morteratsch Glacier", "Travelmemo", "Switzerland", "Winter hike"]
    captured: 2025-02-24
    geo: {latitude: 46.4203, longitude: 9.9305}
    credit: "Reisememo.ch | Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/morteratsch-glacier-glacier-grotto-output-danger-of-collapse.webp"
    caption: "Danger of collapse at the southern exit of one of the glacier caves"
    keywords: ["Excursion tip", "Engadin", "Glacier grotto", "Glacier cave", "Graubünden", "Morteratsch glacier", "Travelmemo", "Switzerland", "Winter hike"]
    captured: 2025-02-24
    geo: {latitude: 46.4191, longitude: 9.9302}
    credit: "Reisememo.ch | Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/katja-morteratsch-glacier-winter-hike-groedel.webp"
    caption: "Katja on the way to the Morteratsch glacier caves"
    keywords: ["Excursion tip", "Engadin", "Glacier cave", "Graubünden", "Morteratsch Glacier", "Travelmemo", "Switzerland", "Winter hike"]
    captured: 2025-02-24
    geo: {latitude: 46.4267, longitude: 9.9331}
    credit: "Reisememo.ch | Walter Schärer"
```