Mountain Hike recommended route Multi-stage route

Trekking dei laghetti alpini

Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno closed
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  • Fusio
    Fusio
    Photo: Timo Cadlolo
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    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?

    closed
    difficult
    Distance 63.2 km
    26:30 h
    5,020 m
    5,020 m
    2,698 m
    1,281 m

    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

    Some huts open as early as June, when the connecting sections are usually still covered in snow.

    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 

    Profile picture of Mariano Berri
    Author
    Mariano Berri 
    Update: July 04, 2024
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Highest point
    2,698 m
    Lowest point
    1,281 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Mountain hut Poncione di Braga
    Capanna 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

    Fusio
    Coordinates:
    SwissGrid
    2'693'998E 1'144'335N
    DD
    46.443760, 8.661896
    DMS
    46°26'37.5"N 8°39'42.8"E
    UTM
    32T 474029 5143409
    w3w 
    ///hoops.tiger.unclaimed

    Destination

    Fusio

    Turn-by-turn directions

    Fusio-Poncione di Braga mountain hut-Robièi-Maria Luisa mountain hut (I), Cristallina mountain hut-Fusio

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'693'998E 1'144'335N
    DD
    46.443760, 8.661896
    DMS
    46°26'37.5"N 8°39'42.8"E
    UTM
    32T 474029 5143409
    w3w 
    ///hoops.tiger.unclaimed
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Author’s map recommendations

    National Map 1:25'000
    • 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)
    Status
    closed
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    63.2 km
    Duration
    26:30 h
    Ascent
    5,020 m
    Descent
    5,020 m
    Highest point
    2,698 m
    Lowest point
    1,281 m
    Public-transport-friendly Round trip Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Geological highlights Flora Fauna Insider tip

    Weather at the route's trailhead

    Statistics

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    Features
    Maps and trails
    • 5 Stages
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Trekking dei laghetti alpini - Stage 1: Fusio-Poncione di Braga mountain hut
    recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 1 closed
    Distance 11.8 km
    Duration 6:30 h
    Ascent 1,680 m
    Descent 970 m

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Trekking dei laghetti alpini - Stage 2: Poncione di Braga mountain hut-Robiei
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 2
    Distance 9.4 km
    Duration 4:30 h
    Ascent 840 m
    Descent 990 m

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Trekking dei laghetti alpini - Stage 3: Robiei- Maria Luisa mountain hut
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 3
    Distance 9.4 km
    Duration 4:00 h
    Ascent 810 m
    Descent 500 m

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Trekking dei laghetti alpini - Stage 4: Maria Luisa mountain hut-Cristallina mountain hut
    recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 4
    Distance 14.3 km
    Duration 5:30 h
    Ascent 1,090 m
    Descent 680 m

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Trekking dei laghetti alpini - Stage 5: Cristallina mountain hut-Fusio
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 5
    Distance 18.2 km
    Duration 7:30 h
    Ascent 600 m
    Descent 1,880 m

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
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