Overview
Piz Labalb seen from the trailhead at the Diavolezza parking lot |
Piz Lagalb is a standalone mountain, which rises to the north-east of
Bernina Pass. Its singular location just across the pass from the
Bernina Group makes it a perfect lookout towards the glaciated giants like
Piz Palü,
Piz Bernina or
Piz Morterasch. The
Biancograt Ridge towards Piz Bernina can be seen in its full length if you bring binoculars. And if you turn the other way you will see the mountains of the
Livigno Alps rising all around you, with farther peeks at the
Albula Alps or the
Ortler / Ortles Group. And very far away you'll see the
Ötztal Alps in the north or the
Adamello Group in the south.
There is one serious drawback, however: in 1963 a cable-car was installed on the mountain, starting in its north and ending close to the summit. Ski runs were developed, which run down
Piz Lagalb's north face. The cable-car station on top has been equipped with a big antenna, which simply cannot be blotted out of the views. The final ascent towards the summit runs across one of the ski runs which gives the impression of a big motorway. So why would you go there?
The answer lies in the views of course but also in the fact that the cable-car is only operated in winter. Moreover, the routes towards Piz Lagalb avoid the ski runs as much as possible so that you'll notice them only very close to the summit. The hike through
Val Minor, which circles
Piz Lagalb on its eastern side is very beautiful, thanks to the lakes which you find in its end. The hike up the south face runs along panoramic ledges, which offer increasingly beautiful views the higher you get. The direct route from the north cuts across one of the ski runs in a few spots but it also heads for nice ledges in the mountain's west face.
Piz Palü | Piz Bernina | Piz Morterasch |
Albula Alps | Cima Viola | Adamello Group |
Piz Lagalb is an easy "almost-3000er". From the
Diavolezza / Lagalb Cable-Car you merely have to scale some 850m to get to its summit and even the round trip through
Val Minor takes less than 1000m elevation gain.
360° Summit Panorama
360° summit panorama Piz Lagalb
Getting There
Biancograt seen from Piz Lagalb
There are two trailheads for
Piz Lagalb, the hospice on
Bernina Pass and the
Diavolezza / Lagalb Cable Car. Both are located on
B29, the road from
Samedan / St. Moritz towards
Bernina Pass. Also, both can be reached either by car or by train as there are train stations of the
Bernina Railway in these locations.
Red Tape
There's no red tape.
Piz Lagalb is a ski mountain and you might be disappointed by the ski runs and the cable-car station near its summit. On the upside there are no limitations and a huge parking lot.
When to Climb
Bernina Group seen from Piz Lagalb
Regular hiking season is from July through October. In winter you can either take the cable-car or do a ski-tour to the summit.
Accommodation
Weather Conditions
Maps & Books
Maps
- Val Poschiavo - Bernina - Val da Camp - Brusio
1 : 50.000
Swisstopo 469T
Topographische Wanderkarte SAW der Schweiz - swisstopo
ISBN: 978-3-30230-469-4
- Oberengadin / Alta Engadina
1 : 40.000
WK 99
Kompass Verlag
ISBN: 978-3-85026-909-4
Books
- Oberengadin
Rudolf & Siegrun Weiss
Rother Verlag
ISBN: 978-3-7633-4042-2