Sass Queder

Access

From Milan to Tirano along state roads 36 and 38; from the square in front of the basilica turn left and cross the state border at Piattamala. Upon entering Switzerland, continue on the cantonal road until just beyond the Bernina Pass: park in a wide open space near the third lake on the left.

Introduction

This easy and comfortable hike is a beautiful alternative to the cable car ascent to the Diavolezza. The arrival point is a panoramic plateau directly opposite the highest peaks in the Engadine: Pizzi Palù, Bernina and Morteratsch. 

Description

From the forecourt 2223m via a lane you cross the tracks of the Rhaetian Railway and descend to the level of the Lej Pitschen now on vague tracks in the pastureland. A little further on, a signpost directs you to a path between the stones that leads with very little ascent into the Val d'Arlas: follow it on a false level to the bank of the little Lej d'Arlas 2343m. On the other side of the valley, the trail begins to climb decisively with a few hairpin bends through the last grasses and leaves a diversion to the right that descends to the valley; having reached the wide ridge, with an up and down path through the vast scree, you reach a knoll 2609m overlooking the Lej da Diavolezza 2573m. Leaving the path coming from the valley station of the cable car to the right, continue uphill again on rocky terrain and - after a ramp with wooden steps - go around a secondary valley that is home to a small summer ski slope. Passing the top station of a gondola lift via a corridor of stones and snow, you reach an esplanade at the eastern edge of the Diavolezza plateau: on the other side is the Chamanna Diavolezza 2973m and the facilities upstream of the cable car. Near the cable car, a signpost directs you to a vague stony track that in a few minutes reaches the flat canopy of Sass Queder 3066m, an ocean of stones strewn with the typical little stone cairns, in a privileged vantage point with the parade from the left of: Piz Trovat 3146m, Pizzi Palù 3881m 3906m 3823m, Fuorcla Bellavista 3688m, Munt Bellavista 3922m, Crast'Agüzza 33869m, Fuorcla Crast'Agüzza 3601m, Piz Bernina 4049m, Fuorcla Prievlusa 3430m and Piz Morteratsch 3751m. For the return trip, return to the cable car station by descending to the unnamed pass between Sass Queder and Piz Trovat and briefly traversing along the slope below Sass Queder itself: then along the ascent route.