The first part of this tour takes you from the Val Lumnezia in Graubünden to the "Valle del Sole" in Ticino. The Greina plain lies between these two valleys. A remote high valley that was only saved from flooding by a nationwide protest. A long descent leads into the Blenio Valley to the small village of Olivone. Soon you leave behind you the pointed stone towers of the church as you continue to walk over the Ticino mountain passes into the Valais.
And where at first you speak Rumantsch or Italian, you will soon hear Walliserdiitsch and perhaps even a little French. But these hiking days not only show the different cultures of Switzerland, but also completely different types of landscapes. Rough and rocky in the Gotthard region, picturesque and dreamy in the Leventina and lovely and playful in the Valais. Sometimes the beauties of Switzerland are only a stone's throw away from each other.
Online booking: EUROTREK
The stages in Ticino:
Day 1: Arrival in Vella | Vella - Vrin
Luggage storage in Ilanz and bus journey to Vella. At the start of the tour there is a razor's edge walk high above Val Lumnezia. We climb up to Mundaun and follow paths with wonderful views up to Piz Sezner. Over small Alps and marshy meadows to Vrin. The furthest village in the valley is known as the gateway to the famous Greina plain.
Details: distance approx. 20 km, climb 1'460 m, descent 1'255 m, duration: approx. 7.5 h.
Day 2: Vrin - Scaletta Hut CAS
The Plaun da Greina plateau is of outstanding natural beauty with a symbolic character, a wide alluvial plain, furrowed by small rivers. The change in the rocks and the continental microclimate are also interesting.
Details: distance approx. 18 km, climb 1'600 m, descent 800 m, duration: approx. 7 h.
Day 3: Scaletta Hut CAS - Olivone
Descent over 1400 metres in altitude through all vegetation levels - from the rocky world of the Greina through meadow and alpine land to the forest belt. The way from Val Camadra to Olivone is long and can be shortened by public transport from Campo Blenio. After arrival in Olivone individual departure.
Details: distance approx. 14 km, climb 80 m, descent 145 m, duration: approx. 3.5 h.
Day 4: Airolo - All'Acqua
A day in or above the Valle Santa Maria, which stretches from Olivone up to the Passo del Lucomagno. Protected marshes of national importance with rich flora at Capanna Dötra.
Details: distance approx. 10 km, climb 1'035 m, descent 135 m, duration: approx. 4 h.
Day 5: All'Acqua - Airolo
Ascent to Passo del Sole, the rock changes from sediment to granite. The Val Piora is one of the largest and quietest plateaus in the Swiss Alps. Take one of the steepest cable car in the world down to Piotta and by train to Airolo.
Details: distance approx. 18 km, climb 870 m, dedscent 830 m, duration: approx. 5.5 h.
Day 6: Airolo - All'Acqua
The long panoramic stage to All'Acqua reveals the southern charm of the valley: light larch forests below the small villages of Ossasco, Villa Bedretto and Ronco. Stone buildings are interspersed with wooden houses in the Valais style.
Details: distance approx. 19 km, ascent 1,150 m, descent 685 m, duration: approx. 6.5 hrs.
Day 7: All'Acqua - Ulrichen | Departure
The Val Corno, which stretches from the Gorno-Gries Hut to the Corno Pass, is both scenically and geologically very interesting. Garnets can also be found in the slate on the Griespass and a picturesque Griessee on the edge of the glacier world. Long descent into Goms. Individual departure after arrival in Ulrichen.
Details: distance approx. 20.5 km, ascent 1'060 m, descent 1'335 m, duration: approx. 7 hrs.
Services:
- 6 overnights stays with breakfast
- Half board at the Capanna Scaletta
- Daily luggage transport
- Ticino Ticket
- Guide
- Costs for luggage pick-up at the train station
- Detailed tour documentation
- GPS-data available
- 7-day Helpline
Not included:
- Bus and cable car rides not included in the tour price (Ilanz - Vella, approx. CHF 3.50 with Half-Fare Card).
