Alpine safari in the Bedretto Valley

We alight from the bus and begin walking along the path, the crisp mountain air filling our lungs. The distant sound of a horn, with its typical melody, greets us hikers venturing into the Alps for the day. We cross a sparkling stream and follow the trail that will lead us to Capanna Corno Gries in about an hour. Along the way, white quartz crystals glitter in the sunlight, catching our eye. Further on, we discover bushes heavy with blueberries, small yet bursting with sweetness.

We crouch behind a small hill, careful not to make a sound. Phones switched off to avoid distractions, we remain perfectly still, almost holding our breath. The babble of a brook blends with the chirping of birds, while in the distance, the gentle ringing of cowbells echoes across the valley. We don’t have to wait long before movement stirs on the far side, although we can’t make out the shapes among the rocks. Binoculars in hand, and there he is. A proud and majestic ibex with long, sweeping horns. He pauses, as if he’s seen us, then calmly resumes grazing on the grassy slopes. A little further down, a marmot emerges from its burrow, eyes alert and scanning its surroundings. Suddenly, a shadow crosses the sky. Instinctively, the marmots vanish into their burrows. I look up and see it: the bearded vulture. With a wingspan of over two metres, it glides high above the rocky peaks, slow and imposing.

With smiles on our faces and cameras full of new shots, we continue along the path marked in red and white on the rocks. We pass through meadows and rocky terrain as the landscape gradually unfolds before us. Rounding a small promontory, we arrive at the Capanna Corno Gries. Nestled amid the greenery, its unusual shape stands out against the mountains, as if it came from another world, hence its nickname “the alpine spaceship”. We settle outside, the air cool yet pleasant, giving us a chance to recover after the last stretch. A slice of cake and a coffee offer simple, authentic flavours. All around, there are only mountains, wind, and tranquillity. Nothing happens, and that’s perfectly fine.