Stage 3: South Escape Graubünden

After starting in Pontresina and ascending to the Bernina Pass, you enjoy fantastic views of the alpine glacier and mountain world of the Engadin. At the pass summit, it goes left along Lago Bianco before the descent into Valposchiavo begins. After just a few metres of descent, you can feel and smell the southern climate and the changed vegetation. The terrace of the Belvedere restaurant or the buffet at Alp Grüm station invite you to enjoy a break and relaxation. From Cavaglia, you repeatedly cross the railway line of the Rhaetian Railway on the technically more demanding trail. Finally, the piazza in Poschiavo welcomes you with its Mediterranean charm, leaving no doubt about its proximity to Italy. After treating yourself to a fine gelato, you board the Rhaetian Railway for the relaxed return journey. A little tip: get off at Ospizio Bernina and enjoy a lot of flow again to Pontresina at the end of this three-day tour.

Discover stages:

• Stage 1: Tschiertschen - Savognin
• Stage 2: Savognin - Pontresina
• to the complete route

On the return journey from Poschiavo by train, it is ideal to get off again at the Bernina Pass and tackle the descent to Pontresina along the ascent route by mountain bike.

The third day on the South Escape starts with the ascent from Pontresina to the Bernina Pass – a scenic highlight of this three-day bike route. On a single trail, the first altitude metres are initially overcome with a pleasant incline. Again and again, there is a fantastic view of the Morteratsch Glacier and the pearl-white Piz Palü. The ascent to the Bernina Pass mostly leads over single trails, which can also be easily ridden uphill. A few meters of pushing sections are still unavoidable. The route from the Bernina Pass to Poschiavo is a classic among mountain bike routes. It is considered one of the longest single-trail descents in Graubünden and is now signposted as an official bike route (route no. 673 – Bernina Express). From Alp Grüm, the path crosses the railway line several times, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. After 1,230 altitude metres, we roll onto the polished piazza of Poschiavo. Italian ambiance is already visible here, a perfect place for a coffee or even a lunch break. What remains now is the return journey with the Rhaetian Railway on the Bernina/Albula line to Chur. Many areas look familiar from the window view. On the way back, it's a quick run-through – even if "quick" is not the right description this time. The Bernina Express is considered the slowest express train in the world…

Option to extend this stage via San Romerio to Tirano:

Fit mountain bikers do not end the South Escape tour in Poschiavo but continue on to Tirano. This additional route starts with the steep ascent to San Romerio. 900 altitude meters must be overcome by their own power – here, for once, no postal bus is available as an ascent aid. The effort is worth it. San Romerio, with its impressively located church, is situated on a rock ledge. From here, the view reaches over the entire Valposchiavo. The small inn is just right for strengthening. Those who announce their visit here get warm food, prepared over an open fire. For spontaneous visits, there are cold regional specialties. The strengthening at San Romerio is necessary, as now the long descent to Tirano awaits. On smuggler paths, interrupted by short sections on forest roads, it continues downhill steeply through vineyards after the village of Roncaiola to Tirano. From there, the Rhaetian Railway brings the tired bikers back to the Alpine town of Chur.

Effective route kilometers on the bike: 54 km.