Long Distance Hiking recommended route Multi-stage route

Brissago-Gridone-Brissago

Long Distance Hiking
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    Photo: Fabio Balassi, Ascona-Locarno Tourism

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: April 11, 2023
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
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
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
  • 2 Stages
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
  • Route
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 km Distance
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 m Lowest point

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