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Image 0 - The Greina plateau and its arch
Image 1 - The Greina plateau and its arch
Image 2 - The Greina plateau and its arch
Image 3 - The Greina plateau and its arch
Image 4 - The Greina plateau and its arch
Image 5 - The Greina plateau and its arch
Image 6 - The Greina plateau and its arch
Image 7 - The Greina plateau and its arch
Image 8 - The Greina plateau and its arch
Image 9 - The Greina plateau and its arch
Image 10 - The Greina plateau and its arch
Image 11 - The Greina plateau and its arch
Image 12 - The Greina plateau and its arch

The Greina plateau and its arch

Prepare to be charmed by the poetry of the alpine tundra. Set your soul free on the Greina plateau, where the torrents flow undisturbed, creating peat bogs and ponds. You’ll discover a place where the natural treasures will simply amaze you. Crossing stony ground, snowfields and grass dotted with the delicate and vivid colours of the mountain flowers, feelings of the incredible power and beauty of nature are inescapable.

The Greina plateau, an area between the Cantons of Ticino and Grisons which can only be reached on foot, is almost 6km long and 1km wide. It is located at an altitude of more than 2200m. This circular trail route allows you to admire the features of the landscape which give the region its unique appearance, which shares many of the characteristics of alpine tundra. Here, the many mountain torrents and streams unravel undisturbed, creating amazing pools, oxbows, peat bogs and marsh.

This itinerary begins in Campo Blenio, easily reached by bus (Autolinee Bleniesi), and crosses the stunning Val Camadra to Pian Geirett and Capanna Scaletta (2205m). Then you climb, over ston-littered ground and snowfields, toward the Greina pass. A brief 600m detour takes you to the Greina Arch, a majestic and symbolic 40m opening which it is possible to cover on foot. Here begins the magnificent Greina Plateau, included among the 'landscapes of national interest' thanks to its exceptional geological and natural qualities. Once you have crossed the plateau, after Crap la Crusch (the Cross Stone) you reach the welcoming sight of the restored Capanna Michela-Motterascio mountain hut, at 2172 m. The panoramic terrace offers a splendid view over Piz Terri, lake Luzzone, and the Sosto and Rosetto summits. From Motterascio you then head downwards towards Rafüsch and you reach, after having crossed a gorge, the Garzott alpage and the stunning Luzzone dam. Finally you return to Campo Blenio with the PostBus, after a trip which remains an enduring favourite of many, and offers exhilaration and satisfaction in equally measure.

Copyright foto: Parisiva.ch

Tips

To explore the route, we recommend buying the official maps of the Federal Office of Topography Swisstopo. In addition, the following website map.geo.admin.ch offers constantly updated data.

  • Waterproof clothing, light and warm
  • Hiking boots
  • Gloves, sun cap, change of clothes
  • Backpack maximum 5-8 kg
  • First aid kit with penknife
  • Sleeping bag for overnight in alpine hut
  • Torch, sunglasses, sun cream, water-bottle
  • Hiking map/topographic map
  • Compass
  • Camera
  • Food
  • Raincover for backpacks

From end of June / beginning of July until the beginning of October, Bus alpine guarantees a regular transport service from Blenio Valley to this wonderful natural attraction.
Timetables, offers and more information:
www.busalpin.ch

Montagnepulite:
This project was born to promote an effective management and sustainable use of mountain huts in Ticino, and in particular the litter management. The responsible management of litter in the mountains is a matter of common sense. We can all contribute: www.montagnepulite.ch/en/golden-rules

Alternative routes

The trail can also be walked in the opposite direction (anticlockwise). Starting from Campo Blenio, where a large car park is available at the beginning of the village, the trail climbs up towards Luzzone, continuing to Alpe Garzott, to Capanna Michela-Motterascio, then to the Greina Pass and concluding the itinerary by passing through Val Camadra to Campo Blenio.

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Close to this route