Tirano Bernina Red Train and Cablecar to Diavolezza Refuge: A Personal Review

Alright, so picture this: you’re up in the Swiss Alps, the air is crisp, and the scenery? Absolutely something else. I recently took a ride on the Tirano Bernina Red Train, cruised up on a cablecar to the Diavolezza Refuge, and honestly, I felt like I walked right into a postcard. Let me break down what the whole experience is like; that, I feel, is a fantastic trip.

What Makes the Bernina Red Train Special?

The Bernina Red Train is really more than just a way to get from A to B; that it surely is. It’s this scenic route that winds its way through the Alps, linking Tirano in Italy to St. Moritz in Switzerland. I think one of the amazing things about it, apart from the incredible views, is that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, which, you know, tells you something right off the bat about how special this railroad actually is. The train climbs up steep inclines, crosses cool viaducts, and plunges through tunnels; the kind of thing that keeps you glued to the window from the second you hop aboard. Honestly, in a way, you might just find yourself gasping at just how great the view truly is.

The views are something else too, that goes without saying, but very quickly; I found I got used to it. Through my train window I saw glaciers, mountains, and all sorts of tiny villages snuggled in the valleys below. It is really great to note is that the train travels over the Bernina Pass, which is, by the way, the highest railway crossing in Europe. The scale of that makes it just so cool. The entire trip from Tirano to St. Moritz, depending on which train you catch, usually it takes somewhere between four to five hours, yet you would not be wanting for anything during that time so really, it does zoom on by.

Reaching Diavolezza: Cable Car Ride to Remember

To make this trip very memorable, you can catch the cable car up to the Diavolezza Refuge from Bernina Diavolezza station. Trust me, it’s worth it; it really is. The cable car climbs super quickly, and soon, seemingly out of nowhere, you get absolutely panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. More or less, you get views of the Piz Bernina and the other peaks that’ll be sticking around in your memory for quite some time.

Once you’re at the top, at the Diavolezza Refuge, you’re greeted by, very arguably, one of the coolest viewpoints in the entire Swiss Alps. You see glaciers up close, with icy blue crevasses stretching out far in front of you; well, it really takes your breath away in the nicest of ways. The refuge itself is neat and cozy, really it’s like finding a very warm hideaway at over 2,900 meters. Even in the summer, it could be a little breezy up there, alright, but that surely means that you will enjoy the warmth on offer that much more. There’s also a restaurant where you can kick back with a tasty, and well deserved, hot chocolate and some traditional Swiss grub.

Experiences at the Diavolezza Refuge

The Diavolezza Refuge really has more or less something for everyone. If you’re just in the mood to relax and take in the beauty, there are plenty of places to just sit, chill, and gawk. But if you’re feeling a bit energetic, there are some things you might consider doing while at the resort. The “bathing barrel”, believe it or not, is a big tub of warm water where you can enjoy some breathtaking scenery all around. In a way, doing something like that is almost like a hot tub, except you’re practically floating in the sky overlooking glaciers.

Hikers, and climbers, can definitely use the refuge as a start point for a range of different treks and alpine expeditions. Don’t do something reckless, or fool hardy! There’s marked routes to several glaciers; one is even accessible to regular visitors with a qualified guide. Remember, high-altitude activities should only be undertaken by people with reasonable experience of being high in the mountains; people who are physically fit, with the right kind of gear and so on. That surely will stop you getting into a spot of bother when all is said and done.

What to Consider When Planning Your Trip

When you are figuring out the details of this particular Swiss adventure, here are some hints. First of all, tickets for the Bernina Red Train can actually be booked ahead of time, more or less, guaranteeing your place and probably snagging a seat next to the window. I definitely advise you to book during peak season because there will surely be a demand for these seats. When that comes around; you do not want to miss out! Pack clothes suited to all temperatures when doing this. In Tirano and St. Moritz; you could feel balmy warm air. That same day at the top of Diavolezza, you could actually be wanting extra layers so pack accordingly.

Altitude sickness could, very understandably, impact any individual differently, more or less it should be at the front of your planning for the holiday to combat the very slight possibility it could happen to you! Take it easy, stay hydrated, and consider speaking with a healthcare professional about medicines to combat any kind of dizziness at all. The Swiss travel pass will, apparently, give you basically unlimited train travel throughout Switzerland and discounts to sights around the nation. Really it will save you a heap in expenses in the long run, if the other destinations you are going to see merit its purchase.

Food and Accommodation Tips

Both Tirano and St. Moritz have some fantastic places to chow down or bed down! In Tirano, expect authentic Italian cuisines as you would fully expect; pasta, pizza, the works! Very fairly priced local wine is up for grabs and to finish you can sink a coffee. In St. Moritz, it’s somewhat posher, yet not outrageously costly at all. Up on Diavolezza Refuge, really all the grub has some stunning views that accompany it that makes dining almost more important than any plate set before you! Very traditional Swiss dishes fill bellies as hungry travelers stop in for a breather. Honestly there’s options for whatever budget you might have.

Accommodation depends on how much cash you want to splash, clearly. Tirano has a plethora of B&Bs that give really some charming Italian welcome. Meanwhile in St. Moritz, big hotels provide Alpine luxuriousness without compromise; just not particularly the place to budget. Diavolezza provides only accommodation in the refuge, basically it does bring visitors amazing starlight panoramas that are tough to match, anywhere!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Bernina Red Train ride from Tirano to St. Moritz?

Well, the train ride tends to hover at the four hour point but depends greatly on the connection timing, there really isn’t any fixed time on journey duration.

Is the cable car to Diavolezza Refuge operational all year round?

More or less it tends to be but extreme weather could, very understandably, halt any safe usage of the service which very apparently is outside control.

Is altitude sickness anything you would need to think about whilst on Diavolezza?

A bit, a small bit, a minor amount, to answer succinctly. Remember, there’s tablets and also, and more obviously; speak to a professional if genuinely anxious about the potential.

What should I be sure to pack?

Layers of garb! Especially a hardy warm layer since summits may be nippy! Also it really goes without saying; cameras, smartphones whatever it may be should be fully prepped. Imagine forgetting a way to capture these images!

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