San Bernardino: Winter, mineral springs and mountain landscapes

San Bernardino on Lago d’Isola combines an Alpine atmosphere with a Mediterranean way of life. Pine forests, moorland and a rich variety of flora shape the surroundings. The village offers different options to help you choose your stay: winter sports, hiking and mountain biking routes, mineral springs and village history. The landscapes also differ: Lago Doss is a small post-glacial moor lake in a peat hollow, surrounded by mountain forest.

Skiing and cross-country skiing in San Bernardino

The Confin ski area has 35 kilometres of runs across slopes ranging from gentle to challenging; the named descents include the black Al Mur run. The highest point in the area is at 2,525 metres. Pian Cales offers a different focus: its five kilometres of ski runs lie at 1,600 metres in the heart of San Bernardino and are considered easy. Before your trip, you can weigh up Confin’s stated size and altitude against the easier slopes at Pian Cales. Check operating conditions before your trip if you plan to use seasonal facilities.

There are cross-country ski trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels. The easy Pista Fornas is 1.9 kilometres long and can also be used at night, depending on the current winter programme. Pista Diga is six kilometres long and moderately difficult. Snow conditions and grooming may vary. The Centro Nordico offers cross-country skiers showers, changing rooms, toilets and a room for waxing skis; these facilities may vary seasonally. In winter, there are also cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails around the village and Lago d’Isola.

Alp Pian Doss is also a notable feature of the winter offering: the Pista Pian Doss cross-country route starts at the southern edge of the village, leads through a fir forest and climbs almost all the way to the alp. Alp Pian Doss is known for local specialities and its Alpine panorama. These details describe different options available locally; when planning, consider not only a trail’s length but also its difficulty and seasonal conditions.

Hiking, mountain biking and lakes

San Bernardino’s hiking and mountain biking routes lead through nature to lakes and mountain restaurants, and range in difficulty. For a longer hike, the San Bernardino–Val Curciusa–Nufenen route is a useful guide: it is 17.5 kilometres long and reaches its highest point at 2,419 metres. The steep ascent from the village heads towards Bocchetta de Curciusa, at around 2,420 metres. If you are interested in historic routes, the Passo San Bernardino–Strada romana route offers a different focus: it follows an old road paved with Roman stonework up to the pass. The tour is five kilometres long, moderately difficult and has 498 metres of ascent; its highest point is at 2,107 metres.

The Suossa high moor lies south of San Bernardino and is listed in the Inventory of Raised Bogs of National Importance. The Furestin route reaches the moor after a short ascent on foot or by snowshoe. At Lago d’Isola, you can go for walks in summer and cross-country ski in winter; the Alpine lake also offers opportunities for water sports. Lago Doss adds a different setting to the landscape: you can, among other things, kayak on the small moor lake.

You can also explore the surroundings by mountain bike. The Isola San Bernardino tour starts on the banks of the Moesa, passes through the Bosch de San Remo forest and reaches Lago d’Isola. The route thus connects a starting point on the Moesa, a stretch through the forest and the lake as its destination. If you would rather travel on foot, the Passo San Bernardino–Strada romana route—with its historic paving and stated elevation gain—offers a specific option for planning a tour.

Mineral springs and village history

The mineral springs of San Bernardino rise at an altitude of 1,795 metres above sea level. Their history is linked to Acuforta, a treatment using iron-rich water that brought the mineral spring particular renown in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors from nearby Italy were drawn by the therapeutic mineral waters, and San Bernardino developed into a recognised spa resort as a result. This historical significance should be distinguished from what is on offer today: the recorded history of the spa resort describes the springs’ former role.

The village’s churches include two buildings from different centuries. Chiesa Rotonda is the main church and is located in the centre; it was built between 1867 and 1897. East of the village, on a hill above Chiesa Rotonda, stands the Chiesetta antica di San Bernardino da Siena, also known as Chiesetta di San Bernardino. It is dedicated to Saints Bernardino and Sebastian and stands at an altitude of 1,630 metres. The older church was built between 1450 and 1467. The village centre and the hill thus offer two clearly dated landmarks in local architectural history.

Plan your journey

By public transport, San Bernardino can be reached from the north by train from Zurich to Chur, followed by a PostBus journey; from the south, take the train from Chiasso to Bellinzona and then continue by PostBus. Check the timetable for the connection that suits you before setting off. By car, routes from the north follow the A3 to Sargans and then the A13 to San Bernardino; routes from the south follow the A2 to Bellinzona and then the A13. The road connections are considered easily accessible year-round.

Discover more destinations: Soazza, Roveredo, San Vittore Gr, Braggio, Rossa Gr, Selma, Cama, Verdabbio.

Go to the overview of destinations: Moesa.