Trekking dei laghetti alpini
Ascona-Locarno Tourism Verified partner
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FusioPhoto: Timo Cadlolo
Explanation
A journey of discovery through a landscape of blue lakes and skies
5 days and 4 nights
Difference in altitude 5020 m
Max altitude 2698 m
14 alpine lakes
Wonderful views
Silence and nature
Infinite experiences!
Are you ready?
This new high-altitude route in the mountains of the upper Maggia Valley, straddling two regions, offers five exciting days in the great outdoors in a spectacular Alpine lake landscape with countless lakes to discover: from a tiny, hidden pool nestled between the mountains to the ripple on a small lake, drawing your curious gaze from afar and offering a grassy shore for a well-deserved rest, to the mirror-like surface of a basin quietly working
to produce renewable energy. The trail also runs alongside watercourses, specifically the springs, waterfalls, rivulets, brooks and streams that feed into the main rivers of the Lepontine Alps, namely the Maggia, Ticino and Toce. Then there is the ice: the landscape is dotted with glistening glaciers large and small.
The trail offers sweeping views: at every turn, your eye is drawn to a new valley between Vallemaggia, Formazza and Leventina as you trek through the spectacular scenery with constantly changing views. The trail runs above the tree line through open spaces, offering a pristine Alpine landscape dominated by the sky. The region is home to countless animal species, from the ibex to the chamois, from the golden eagle to the peregrine falcon, and from the marmot to the stoat, fox and white hare. Not to mention the warm welcome, from the unattended refuge, where you can have fun at the stove, to the typical Alpine hut run by people who know how to spoil you or the mountain hotel with rooms and showers: the evenings provide further opportunities to discover something new.
In short, on this tour, water is not the only highlight.
Author’s recommendation
Generally, the best season for trekking is between July and September/October.
However, even in the height of summer, you are advised to contact the guardians to check the state of the route. Overnight stays must be booked in advance in order to avoid unpleasant surprises and find oneself without accommodation.
Check the availability: https://www.viaaltavallemaggia.ch/en/check-availability
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
Mountain hut Poncione di BragaCapanna Basòdino
Albergo Robiei
Rifugio Maria Luisa
Mountain hut Cristallina
Chiosco del Sambuco
Safety information
The Alpine lakes trekking route (Trekking dei laghetti alpini) runs mainly along mountain paths (level of hiking difficulty: T3) with some section of Alpine tracks (T4). However, the trek should not be taken lightly, especially in terms of the length of some of the sections and the elevation, reaching altitudes of around 3,000 metres above asl in places.
The following are therefore required:
- good physical condition
- detailed planning (current conditions, weather forecast etc.)
- surefootedness on uneven ground (scree etc.)
Not to be underestimated:
- high elevation
- sudden weather changes
- presence of snow at the beginning of the season
- trekking time (particularly when hiking in large groups)
- often no mobile coverage
- lack of drinking water sources along some sections
Emergency telephone number: 112
Tips and suggestions
https://www.vialtavallemaggia.ch/
https://www.capanneti.ch/ (mountain huts)
https://map.geo.admin.ch/ (topographic map)
http://www.robiei.ch/ (cable car Robièi)
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
- 1271 Basòdino
- 1272 Pizzo Campo Tencia
- 1251 Val Bedretto
- 1252 Ambri Piotta
Equipment
- good hiking boots
- suitable clothing
- sunglasses and sunscreen
- map with a scale of 1:25,000, altimeter and, if possible, GPS
- travel pharmacy and emergency thermal blanket
- sufficient food and drink
- identity card and cash (francs and euros)
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Weather at the route's trailhead
Statistics
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- 5 Stages
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Route
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Gradient