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Long Distance Hiking recommended route Multi-stage route

Sentiero Cristallina (SvizzeraMobile 59)

Long Distance Hiking · Ascona-Locarno closed
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  • Foroglio, Valle Bavona
    Foroglio, Valle Bavona
    Photo: Mariano Berri, Ascona-Locarno Tourism
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    The Sentiero Cristallina links Bignasco in Valle Maggia with Airolo in Val Bedretto. Between them lie steep mountain slopes, a waterfall on a village outskirts, crystalline rock, Alpine lakes/reservoirs, idyllic alps and remote hamlets.
    closed
    difficult
    Distance 42.6 km
    15:00 h
    2,900 m
    2,200 m
    2,570 m
    440 m

    From the typical Ticino mountain village of Bignasco, the trail winds through the stony, deeply-carved-out Val Bavona with its 12 small hamlets. A steep climb leads up past the traditional Basodino Hut to the natural and dammed lakes, which give life to this Alpine area and provide most of the electricity in Canton Ticino, whereas paradoxically, the Val Bavona just below has no electricity.

    The sparse mountain meadows along the winding trail to the modern Cristallina lodge are increasingly laced with scree. The imposing and modern Capanna Critallina, with its excellent facilities and room for 120 guests, is located right on the pass, with spectacular views of the Basodino glacier.

    The route leads down from the rocky slopes to charming alps and forests. The high-level trail on the sunny side of the Val Bedretto runs through high moorland and affords beautiful views to the Gotthard massif, everything a hiker’s heart could wish for. The goal of the route is reached at the traffic junction of Airolo.

    Profile picture of Mariano Berri
    Author
    Mariano Berri 
    Update: November 05, 2024
    Difficulty
    T3 difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Highest point
    2,570 m
    Lowest point
    440 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 0.07%Forested/wild trail 48.33%Path 37.98%Road 13.60%Unknown 0%
    Asphalt
    0 km
    Forested/wild trail
    20.6 km
    Path
    16.2 km
    Road
    5.8 km
    Unknown
    0 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Capanna Basòdino
    Albergo Robiei
    Mountain hut Cristallina

    Tips and suggestions

    The trail can be booked on www.eurotrek.ch.      

    Turn-by-turn directions

    Bignasco-S.Carlo (Val Bavona)-Capanna Cristallina-Airolo
    Rest stop
    Tip
    Nearby
    Top Partner
    Waypoint
    Start point
    End point
    Low point
    High point
    Forecast
    Photo
    Video

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'689'999E 1'132'788N
    DD
    46.340449, 8.607626
    DMS
    46°20'25.6"N 8°36'27.5"E
    UTM
    32T 469804 5131949
    w3w 
    ///bulletins.broad.splits
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    • Trekking backpack (approx. 50 liters) with rain cover
    • Comfortable and sturdy footwear, second pair of shoes / sandals if necessary
    • Adequate and durable outdoor clothing in multiple layers
    • Change of clothes,
    • Telescope sticks
    • Sun and rain protection
    • Snacks and drinking water
    • First aid kit
    • Penknife
    • Mobile phone
    • Headlight
    • Maps
    • Travel documents
    • Toilet bag and travel towel, travel detergent and clothesline, camping equipment if necessary (tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, cooking equipment), hut equipment if necessary

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     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Status
    closed
    Difficulty
    T3 difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    42.6 km
    Duration
    15:00 h
    Ascent
    2,900 m
    Descent
    2,200 m
    Highest point
    2,570 m
    Lowest point
    440 m
    Public-transport-friendly Multi-stage route Scenic Flora Fauna

    Weather at the route's trailhead

    Statistics

    • Content
    • Show images Hide images
    Features
    Maps and trails
    Long Distance Hiking · Ascona-Locarno
    Sentiero Cristallina (SvizzeraMobile 59) - Stage 1: Bignasco - San Carlo
    recommended route Difficulty T3 difficult Stage 1 closed
    Distance 12.7 km
    Duration 4:15 h
    Ascent 840 m
    Descent 340 m

    The Val Bavona is marked by steep mountain slopes, wild vegetation, much rock and stone, and 12 rustic hamlets. Of particular note: dwellings built ...

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Long Distance Hiking · Ascona-Locarno
    Sentiero Cristallina (SvizzeraMobile 59) - Stage 2: San Carlo - Capanna Cristallina
    recommended route Difficulty T3 difficult Stage 2
    Distance 12.7 km
    Duration 5:45 h
    Ascent 1,750 m
    Descent 130 m

    The stage winds in narrow bends up steep steps to the L. di Robiei reservoir, passing other lakes to reach the modern Capanna Cristallina lodge.

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Long Distance Hiking · Ascona-Locarno
    Sentiero Cristallina (SvizzeraMobile 59) - Stage 3: Capanna Cristallina - Airolo
    recommended route Difficulty T3 difficult Stage 3
    Distance 16.7 km
    Duration 5:00 h
    Ascent 300 m
    Descent 1,750 m

    From the stony mountain slopes, across beautiful alps with typical twin water troughs, to finally reach the Val Bedretto-Höhenweg (high-level trail).

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Nothing selected - click and drag in the elevation profile to zoom
    Distance
    Duration
    Ascent
    Descent
    Elevation profile

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