Thursday 23rd July 2026 - The Bernina Express

 Very easy start today - Downhill 40km from Bormio to Tirano.  And then we jumped on a train to go uphill.  A very special train, the Bernina Express, goes to our destination - Ospizio Bernina. At 2,253m it marks the highest point of the Bernina Railway, surrounded by snowfields, lakes, and dramatic Alpine terrain.

A glacier above the lake

The train spirals around to gain altitude

Then George made us walk 400m up a gravel road!!

A short down, up, down and another up before lunch at Hotel Le Tea in Eira just out of Livigno.  Apparently, in the weeks before the Tour De France, this area is full of professional cyclists completing their preparations. They can sleep at 2200m and then train on the steep passes even higher.

We ended at George's favourite gelati shop.  Then dinner at the local fresh fish restuarant.