Trail Running recommended route

Lake Efra Trail

Trail Running · Ascona-Locarno
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  • Lago d'Efra
    Lago d'Efra
    Photo: Tom Malecha
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    Up and down, steep and technical with some stone steps leading to the eponymous lake. Lying just below the Capanna Efra, this little gem can be partly frozen over until late spring. Wonderful views of the valley floor and surrounding peaks may be enjoyed from the Capanna Efra, which stands on a large, sunny terrace and offers hikers accommodation and refreshment.
    moderate
    Distance 13.4 km
    4:00 h
    1,200 m
    1,200 m
    2,040 m
    885 m

    The starting point is Frasco (885 m) in the Verzasca valley, which can be reached by car or bus. The trail starts above the Albergo Efra and leads into the valley of the same name. The Albergo Efra was built in 1930 and for a long time it was considered the only tourist infrastructure in the whole valley. It usually accommodated guests from England at that time. You first head for the Alpe Efra (1686 m), from where you reach the small lake (1836 m).

    The elevation gain is 962 m. The path is not difficult, but it calls for good footwear. The Capanna Efra (2040 m) is 30 minutes from the lake. The Valle d'Efra offers many other trails: the Gagnone (2214 m) and Rampi (2366 m) passes lead to the Leventina valley.

    You start from near the parish church in Frasco (885 m) by following a minor asphalt road through the hamlet of Scimarmota, where a forest path on the right-hand bank of a little stream (the Riale d'Efra) leads up to the Monti Montada (1196 m). Numerous bends lead through the forest up the mountain to the Corte di Fondo (1686 m) to finally reach the Alpe d'Efra.

    The Alpe d'Efra benefits from a spring where you can quench your thirst. A panoramic trail leads briefly southwards over the pastures to Lake Efra (1836 m). From the lake, you head north-east between pastures and rocks for half-an-hour to the Corte di Cima and the Capanna d'Efra (2039 m), which is managed by the Verzaschese hiking association.

    Profile picture of Mariano Berri
    Author
    Mariano Berri 
    Update: February 17, 2023
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    2,040 m
    Lowest point
    885 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 5.39%Path 94.60%
    Asphalt
    0.7 km
    Path
    12.6 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Mountain hut Efra

    Safety information

    Some passages are very steep.
    Poor or no phone reception throughout the route.

    Start

    Frasco
    Coordinates:
    SwissGrid
    2'704'991E 1'132'967N
    DD
    46.339882, 8.802366
    DMS
    46°20'23.6"N 8°48'08.5"E
    UTM
    32T 484790 5131830
    w3w 
    ///suggested.described.braked

    Destination

    Frasco

    Turn-by-turn directions

    Frasco-Mont Val d'Efra-Chigno-Lago d'Efra-Capanna Efra-Lago d'Efra-Chigno-Mont Val d'Efra-Frasco

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    From Locarno railway station: bus 321 towards Sonogno. Alight at Frasco, Chiesa.
    Return from Frasco: bus 321 towards Locarno Stazione. Alight at Locarno station.
    Further information: www.sbb.ch     

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'704'991E 1'132'967N
    DD
    46.339882, 8.802366
    DMS
    46°20'23.6"N 8°48'08.5"E
    UTM
    32T 484790 5131830
    w3w 
    ///suggested.described.braked
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    • Light running backpack (approx. 5 to 10 liters) with rain cover if necessary
    • Trail running shoes
    • Special running socks if necessary
    • Adequate and breathable clothing in multiple layers
    • Trail running sticks if necessary
    • Sun and rain protection
    • Snacks and drinking water
    • First aid kit
    • Penknife
    • Mobile phone
    • Headlight and reflectors if necessary
    • Maps

    Similar routes nearby

    • Alzasca Trail
    • Valle Verzasca Trail
    • Cimetta Trail
    • Contra-Alpe Cardada
    • Salmone Trail
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    13.4 km
    Duration
    4:00 h
    Ascent
    1,200 m
    Descent
    1,200 m
    Highest point
    2,040 m
    Lowest point
    885 m
    Public-transport-friendly Scenic Out and back

    Weather at the route's trailhead

    Statistics

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

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