Fuorcla Surley

This route takes place for its entirety in the Engadine on Swiss soil just a few miles over the border. We reached the starting point via Chiavenna and the Maloja Pass. It is a route where there are no backpacking bike sections and no exposed sections. The most important element is the weather, first because you are going almost at an altitude of 2800 meters and second ....you will understand from the photos. The start is from the capacious free parking lot in front of the Silvaplana lifts at 1755 meters. We take the steep, smooth dirt road that climbs even with challenging rips initially through a beautiful larch forest and then into the open. Immediately beautiful views of the lakes below at the bottom of the valley. We continue uphill to Alpe Margun where the dirt road briefly becomes impassable due to the steep gradient. Then a flat stretch and slight descent to the small lake de la Forcia and then to several snowdrifts covered with white tarpaulins.

Now near a small wooden house with deer antlers hanging on the wall the dirt road splits; to the right you make a wide turn while to the left you cut. In both directions you push on and arrive at the same point; the trail provides for a left turn. By now we are almost there; short flat sections alternate with hairpin bends that are always doable by bike. Once we arrive at Fourcla Surlej at 2755 mtetri we find the namesake refuge on the right and on the left, if the weather assists, the Bernina group with its 4000 meters in a blaze of snowfields and glaciers.

The descent begins on slabs of rock and you have to be careful not to take the wrong path as we did, looking at the snowfields and glaciers it is a cinch not to see the detour to the left that descends into Val Roseg. The trail to Val Roseg comes off dry to the left just below the viewpoint. The descent is not easy, alternating sections on rock with steps and stepping stones with sections with loose rock; some passages are surgical with your gear at risk. This is a descent for climbers where technique is basic and where it is very important to stay focused and not get distracted by the beauty of the place. The descent ends with sore arms and legs and a smile on your face at the Roseg hut.

Now long dirt road slightly downhill with possible digressions on trail near the creek. Some of these digressions are forbidden to bikes and are properly marked with a nice prohibition sign. On this dirt road pay attention to the horse-drawn carriages and the bikers you pass who most often are tourists with rented e-bikes (recognizable by the lighted headlight and incorrect saddle height). You arrive in Pontresina where we begin with several ups and downs the beautiful dirt bike path to St.Moritz. Follow the track because there are several forks and especially several relaunches that drain the last of your energy. Near a small bridge last nice single track that deposits us at the parking lot of the lifts where we left the car.

Some considerations

The climb made by mtb is hard and some short sections are not feasible because of the steep slope. Alternative: the cable car, but it only transports bikes up to a certain point and at certain times.

Weather is important, if the peaks are overcast you can avoid going; however, if the sun shines at Fuorcla Surlej you will see something you will remember for quite a while. The descent into Val Roseg can prove to be an ordeal if you are not used to alpine trails and if you don't have the right equipment (mtb and shoes); for us it was one of the most beautiful descents we did. Pay attention to the many hikers who should always be given priority; we did this route on a Thursday in July and we passed or passed a lot of people.

Please refer to the photoreport for a more detailed description.