Like huge tongues, the Pers and Morteratsch Glaciers push themselves from the snow covered peaks of Piz Palu and Piz Bernina towards Pontresina. At Isla Persa, between the two ice streams, the glacier arms join up with the glacier tongue, which ends about 2 kilometres further. As little as 120 years ago, the Morteratsch Glacier stretched almost 2 kilometres further into the valley. Today it is still about 6.4 kilometres long.

An educational trail provides information regarding the glacier's retreat and the mysteries of life in its terminus. From mid-June to late September a guided tour takes place every Monday morning.