Long Distance Hiking recommended route Multi-stage route

Brissago-Gridone-Brissago

Long Distance Hiking
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    Photo: Fabio Balassi, Ascona-Locarno Tourism
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    On the border with Italy, let your gaze wander into the distance. Panoramic and botanically interesting two-day tour above Brissago.

    difficult
    Distance 22.7 km
    10:00 h
    2,180 m
    2,180 m
    2,185 m
    212 m

    Brissago is the start and finish of the red and white tour and can be reached by bus, car or boat. Zigzag up to Cortaccio, a small hamlet, then through the forest to Vantarone, where the terrain opens up. In a large curve, the trail leads in alpine terrain to the Rifugio Al Legn. Drinks can be bought at the partially guarded hut (open May-November). The next day, the trail leads to the Gridone/Monte Limidario. Over the Bocchetta di Valle, then along the ridge until the path goes no further. Up through a short but steep couloir until you are back on the ridge, follow it to the summit. From the summit you have a panoramic view far over the Valais and Bernese mountain ranges. Return along the same path to the Rifugio Al Legn, but then take the path towards Mergugno. In Mergugno you cross the Bosco Sacro, a 35-hectare forest reserve where the alpine laburnum grows (flowering time is around May to June). In Brissago the bus leaves.

    Profile picture of Mariano Berri
    Author
    Mariano Berri 
    Update: September 10, 2024
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Highest point
    2,185 m
    Lowest point
    212 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 25.84%Forested/wild trail 0.28%Path 68.47%Road 5.40%
    Asphalt
    5.9 km
    Forested/wild trail
    0.1 km
    Path
    15.6 km
    Road
    1.2 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Rifugio al Legn

    Safety information

    Sentieri Svizzeri - Escursioni sicure

    Start

    Brissago, Posta
    Coordinates:
    SwissGrid
    2'698'193E 1'108'158N
    DD
    46.117774, 8.708863
    DMS
    46°07'04.0"N 8°42'31.9"E
    UTM
    32T 477504 5107174
    w3w 
    ///suchlike.billiard.collision

    Destination

    Brissago, Posta

    Turn-by-turn directions

    Brissago, Posta-Piodina-Cortaccio-Rifugio Al Legn-Gridone-Rifugio Al Legn-Mergugno-Incella-Brissago, Posta

    Public transport

    From Locarno train station: Take bus 316 in the direction of Brissago, Co' di Campo. Get off at Brissago, Posta.

    From Brissago: Bus 316 direction Locarno, Stazione.

    Directions

    From Locarno, take the A13 in the direction of Italy to Brissago. There are several parking options in Brissago.

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'698'193E 1'108'158N
    DD
    46.117774, 8.708863
    DMS
    46°07'04.0"N 8°42'31.9"E
    UTM
    32T 477504 5107174
    w3w 
    ///suchlike.billiard.collision
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    • Trekking backpack (approx. 50 liters) with rain cover
    • Comfortable and sturdy footwear, second pair of shoes / sandals if necessary
    • Adequate and durable outdoor clothing in multiple layers
    • Change of clothes
    • Telescope sticks
    • Sun and rain protection
    • Snacks and drinking water
    • First aid kit
    • Penknife
    • Mobile phone
    • Headlight
    • Maps
    • Travel documents
    • Toilet bag and travel towel, travel detergent and clothesline, camping equipment if necessary (tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, cooking equipment), hut equipment if necessary

    Similar routes nearby

    • Intragna-Brione Verzasca
    • Gordevio-Alpe Nimi-Gordevio
    • Spruga-Monte Comino-Intragna
    • Maggia-Rifugio Alpe Masnee-Brione Verzasca
    • Vergeletto-Capanna Ribia-Vergeletto
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    22.7 km
    Duration
    10:00 h
    Ascent
    2,180 m
    Descent
    2,180 m
    Highest point
    2,185 m
    Lowest point
    212 m
    Round trip Scenic Refreshment stops available Summit route

    Weather at the route's trailhead

    Statistics

    • Content
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    Features
    Maps and trails
    Long Distance Hiking · Ascona-Locarno
    Stage 1: Brissago-Cortaccio-Rifugio Al Legn
    recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 1
    Distance 10.5 km
    Duration 5:00 h
    Ascent 1,680 m
    Descent 106 m

    First stage of a panoramic two-day hike leading from Brissago to the romantic Rifugio Al Legn.

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Long Distance Hiking · Ascona-Locarno
    Stage 2: Rifugio al Legn-Gridone-Mergugno-Brissago
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 2
    Distance 12.3 km
    Duration 5:00 h
    Ascent 500 m
    Descent 2,074 m

    Second stage of the circular hike above Brissago, which includes beautiful landscapes and sacred woods.

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
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     km Distance
    : h Duration
     m Ascent
     m Descent
     m Highest point
     m Lowest point

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