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Stage 1
Stage 1: Frasco-Capanna Efra
Long Distance Hiking
· Ascona-Locarno
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Lago d'EfraPhoto: Mariano Berri, Ascona-Locarno Tourism
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This is the first leg of a two-day tour involving a visit to the Lago d'Efra, a delightful mountain lake surrounded by once-cultivated alps and barren rock, far removed from everyday life.
moderate
Distance 6.6 km
Duration3:55 h
Ascent1,243 m
Descent0 m
Highest point2,039 m
Lowest point885 m
The tour starts in Frasco, which can be reached by car or bus (Locarno-Tenero-Sonogno route). A mostly flat, pleasant woodland path follows the Riale d'Efra stream to the summer pastures at Montada. You can tell your altitude from the trees: first sycamores dominate, then sweet chestnuts and lastly larches. The going gets steep after Montada and the path quickly gains in height. The Alpe dell'Efra is a magnificent alp on which cows once grazed in summer; a bivouac provides shelter here in bad weather.
A gently ascending traverse leads to the Lago d'Efra, scintillating like a diamond in the sun. You might like a refreshing dip here before making the final ascent to the refuge.
The self-catering Capanna Efra (June-October) overlooks a large meadow above the lake and enjoys a fantastic vista. It benefits from 25 berths, a WC and cooking facilities, and beverages are provided for sale.
Author
Mariano Berri
Update: November 05, 2024
Difficulty
T3
moderate
Overall difficulty
moderate
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Highest point
2,039 m
Lowest point
885 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Asphalt 0.67%Path 94.45%Road 4.87%
Asphalt
45 m
Path
6.3 km
Road
323 m
Rest stops
Mountain hut EfraSafety information
https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/welcome-to-switzerlands-hiking-trails.htmlPublic transport
Public-transport-friendly
Coordinates
SwissGrid
2'704'990E 1'132'964N
DD
46.339860, 8.802351
DMS
46°20'23.5"N 8°48'08.5"E
UTM
32T 484789 5131828
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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
Difficulty
T3
moderate
Overall difficulty
moderate
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Distance
6.6 km
Duration
3:55 h
Ascent
1,243 m
Highest point
2,039 m
Lowest point
885 m
Public-transport-friendly
Round trip
Multi-stage route
Scenic
Refreshment stops available
Weather at the route's trailhead
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Maps and trails
4 Waypoints
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kmm
Distance
Duration
Ascent
Descent
Elevation profile
Plan your stay
Sole
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