Have you ever walked through a love story that carved its name into the mountains?

This was one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done.
Not just because of the views — but because of everything it offered in one day.

Along the way, I passed through different climates, saw several types of landscapes, and felt how quickly nature can change.
From green valleys to rocky cliffs, from calm lakes to windy snowfields — it felt like walking through different seasons in just a few hours.

And behind it all, there was a story.
A legend that gave the glacier its name and turned a beautiful place into something even more meaningful.

Now, I walked into the land of ice, silence… and a legend that never melted.

🥾 From Forest Trails to the Ice World

I started this hike at Bernina Diavolezza Talstation — but instead of taking the cable car up like most people, I chose to begin the adventure right there, on foot.I wanted to experience every part of the trail myself.
The changes in the terrain, the effort, the silence — all of it.

In the beginning, I saw green hills and wildflowers. It felt peaceful.
But the higher I climbed, the more everything around me changed — the trees disappeared and the rocks took over.I knew it would be a tough route.

Steep, long, and challenging at times.
But the mountain, the glacier, and the story behind it all were calling me.

And I was ready to answer.

There was also a small lake along the route. It was calm, reflecting the sky and mountains like a mirror.
I took a break there and just listened to the wind and water. It felt like the right moment to slow down.

🧊 A Glacier Born from a Broken Heart

There’s a well-known legend about this glacier, and once you hear it, it’s hard to look at the ice the same way.

The story tells of a young woman named Annetta, who was deeply in love with a shepherd. One day, he left to move to Italy, promising to come back — but he never did. There was no explanation, no message, no return. He simply disappeared from her life.

Annetta waited for him. Days passed, then months, and eventually years. Still, nothing. Heartbroken, she began wandering alone through the mountains, carrying all that sadness with her. The story says she cried so much that her tears ran down the slopes — until they froze and slowly formed what is now known as the Morteratsch Glacier.

Today, locals say the glacier melts more and more with each passing year. Many believe it’s still mourning — that it carries the weight of her grief, melting away piece by piece.

When I stood in front of the glacier, I didn’t know whether the legend was true or just a local tale. But honestly, it didn’t matter. There was something about the place — the silence, the cold, the scale of the ice — that made it feel different. It wasn’t just a glacier. It felt like a memory that never left.

🗺️ Trail Details

📍 Start: Bernina Diavolezza Talstation
🔄 Route: Circular hike via Diavolezza & Bernina Suot
📏 Distance: 15.5 km
⛰️ Ascent / Descent: +1114 m / –1125 m
⏱️ Time: 5h 54min
⚠️ Difficulty: Medium
(challenging if you’re not used to altitude or long-distance hikes)

Parts of the trail were steep, and walking through snowfields made it even harder.

If you’re planning to do it — bring water, layers, and take your time.
It’s one of those hikes where the path itself is more interesting than the finish.

☕ Glacier Views and a Hot Meal

After hours of hiking through rocks and snow, I ended the day with a warm meal at a mountain restaurant.
Big windows looked out to the glacier. I was tired, hungry, but also really calm.

Eating pasta with that view was strange. Like I was celebrating, but also saying goodbye to something.

I stayed there for a while.
Not just for the food — but because I didn’t want to leave so fast.

✨ Your Turn

Have you ever done a hike where the view felt like more than just a photo?
Where the story stayed with you longer than the trail?

Tell me below — or come find more hikes and legends at @swissmythhikes

Thanks for hiking with me again. See you on the next story.

🧭 Continue the Journey

If you enjoyed this hike, you might want to read the rest of the #sshike series — each trail follows a story hidden in the Swiss mountains:

• 🌲 Hiking the Hidden Stories of Switzerland

• 🇨🇭 Rütli Hike: Switzerland’s Historic Heartbeat

• 🐉 Chasing Dragons: The Pilatus Hike

• ⚠️ Switzerland’s Most Dangerous Hike

• 🏔️ Hiking with a Giant: The Säntis Trail

• 🌉 Devil’s Bridge Hike – A Trail Through Legend

📚 Explore one — or follow the full journey.