From glaciers to palm trees.

About 196 bridges, he must go - to 55 tunnels crossing: The Bernina Express provides amazing. The Swiss narrow, between Chur and Tirano struggling through the Alps, is one of the steepest railways in the world on the move.

 

Chur - raging mountain streams, rugged peaks and beautiful landscapes: A ride on the Bernina Express through the Alps is a journey of contrasts. From Chur in Switzerland, the train is bolted to the more than 2000 m high Bernina Pass. And while the passengers nor the 4049-meter-high Piz Bernina marvel, it is already steeply down into the mild climate of the Valtellina in Italy.

Besides the change of scenery can also train with a record interest: With seven percent slope is the Bernina Express to the steepest railway tracks in the world, without gears, cables or other engineering tricks constraints.

In only four hours driving the narrow track today from Switzerland to Italy. It is not a simple rail route: In addition to the slopes, there are 196 bridges and 55 tunnels. Among them are designs that are also mountains and train lovers fascinated by the panoramic windows allow.

Before Engadine village Filisur for example, ends one 136 meter long viaduct suddenly in the middle of a vertical cliff dropping - and the Express is rolling in the tunnel further. In Brusio screwed to the train on a circular viaduct in the valley - would be different from the large height difference is not to master. Since the summer of 2008, the railway line on the list of World Heritage. To reserve seats, it is highly recommended.

Palms and pizza instead of peaks and glaciers

The train over the Bernina Pass was from the outset for tourists. When 2500 construction workers in 1902 to the hard work made tüftelten the engineers on a long stretch with little tunnels, because the traveler should be the beauty of the Grisons and Lombardy marvel.

The viaducts were built for a more elegant effect even slimmer pillars and arches narrower. Even the smoke from steam locomotives were spared the passengers: The line was electrified from the outset. Whirrs So the train is still quiet in the villages. Only in narrow curves, it squeaks in, with large gradients even in quiet moans.

Was the route, which includes a branch line to St. Moritz offers a summer fun initially, it caused the Second World War for reprogramming. At the pass, the rails 1944 so moved that even in the winter could drive trains. The Bernina Pass the train station in 2253 m altitude is also watershed and language border.

Almost unreal beautiful effect in good weather, the glaciers and peaks far beyond the tree line. White clouds veil will hang on the icy mountain lakes to pass. But train drivers alone are not here. Hikers and mountain bikers like to cross the tracks. Who wants to climb even higher, has at some stations also connected to cable cars.

Who will sit on the train, goes further in the direction of Italy. In orchards and vineyards zuckelt past the train and in the villages of the valley Poschiavo finally tram on the street. At the churches differs a slender Campanile the bulbous onion towers on the Swiss side. The first palm trees line the route. At the terminus Tirano arrived, smelling it on the station forecourt after pizza. Pending the return remains time for a wine tasting with a young Valtellinese, ham and parmesan cheese appetizers.

Journey times between Chur and Tirano upside of the Bernina Express once a day in each direction. The trip takes 4 to 4.5 hours. Depending on the season are also trains from St. Moritz and Davos to Tirano.

Prices: One ticket Chur-Tirano and back will cost 71.25 euro, the single journey in each direction of 35.63 euros.

Information: Rhaetian Railways, telephone number from Germany: 0041/81/288 43 40, daily 7-19 clock; Internet:
www.rhb.ch