Hiking Trail recommended route

Robiei and the lakes at the Basodino glacier's foot

Hiking Trail · Ascona-Locarno
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An alpine landscape made of rock walls and a wild natural environment is the setting for the Lake Robiei trail loop. Let yourself be amazed by the majestic Basodino glacier: a glittering white ice cap set against a stunning granite backdrop. Along the path, admire the perennial snow and crystals sparkling in the sun. Have a taste of the fantastic "Vallemaggia" cheese and the super-fresh butter and ricotta.

 

easy
Distance 5 km
1:40 h
269 m
269 m
1,994 m
1,845 m
From San Carlo in Val Bavona, set in an alpine area dotted with enormous boulders, rock walls and a wild natural environment, take the cableway to Robiei, the starting point of this looped route. The cableway is undoubtedly the most comfortable and thrilling way to reach Robiei and admire the surrounding landscape, while suspended in the void. In just 15 minutes you reach the beautiful Robiei area at the foot of the Basodino glacier at 1900m, close to the dam, where you can marvel over the stunning views of the Ticinese Alps. Basodino is the most majestic and important of the Ticino glaciers, a sparkling white ice cap reaching 3273m, set against a splendid landscape of granite and gneiss. The trek starts from the station on top of the cableway, taking you to the left side of the Robiei lake. A panoramic viewpoint is located on the little pass taking you to the path toward Lake Bianco. You then descend along the right side, and you'll notice that not only the lake and the melt water from the glacier sparkle in the sun, but the crystals along the path, as well. Indeed, Robiei is well known for its richness of minerals. Once you reach the far end of the lake, the path carries on, changing direction, through the Lielp alpage, where cows, goats and pigs happily graze and the exquisitely tasty 'Vallemaggia' cheese is produced, alongside butter and ricotta. Continue on, slightly downhill, toward the Basodino mountain hut. Here, if you look carefully, it is possible to observe a plethora of wild animals including alpine marmots, alpine ibex and chamois standing proudly on the crests. You then return to the cableway station at the top, where the route ends.
Difficulty
easy
Technique
Stamina
Highest point
1,994 m
Lowest point
1,845 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 17.28%Forested/wild trail 10.41%Path 72.30%
Asphalt
0.9 km
Forested/wild trail
0.5 km
Path
3.6 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Capanna Basòdino
Albergo Robiei

Start

Robièi
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'682'541E 1'144'060N
DD
46.442803, 8.512779
DMS
46°26'34.1"N 8°30'46.0"E
UTM
32T 462575 5143363
w3w 
///impulses.indirect.freely

Destination

Robièi

Coordinates

SwissGrid
2'682'541E 1'144'060N
DD
46.442803, 8.512779
DMS
46°26'34.1"N 8°30'46.0"E
UTM
32T 462575 5143363
w3w 
///impulses.indirect.freely
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Equipment

  • Hiking daypack (approx. 20 liters) with rain cover
  • Comfortable and sturdy footwear
  • Adequate and durable outdoor clothing in multiple layers
  • Telescope sticks if necessary,
  • Sun and rain protection
  • Snacks and drinking water
  • First aid kit
  • Penknife
  • Mobile phone, headlight if necessary
  • Maps

Similar routes nearby

  • Glacier path
  • Lago del Naret-Sasso Nero-Lago del Naret
  • Foroglio-Calnègia-Foroglio
  • Fusio-Lago Mognola-Fusio
  • Bignasco-San Carlo
 These suggestions were generated by our system
Difficulty
easy
Distance
5 km
Duration
1:40 h
Ascent
269 m
Descent
269 m
Highest point
1,994 m
Lowest point
1,845 m
Round trip Family-friendly Geological highlights Flora Fauna Cableway ascent/descent

Weather at the route's trailhead

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Features
Maps and trails
  • 3 Waypoints
  • 3 Waypoints
Distance  km
Duration : h
Ascent  m
Descent  m
Highest point  m
Lowest point  m
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