Nature Trail recommended route

Lago Tremorgio-Alpe Zarìa-Fusio

Nature Trail · Bellinzona and Valleys
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  • Alpe Zarìa
    Alpe Zarìa
    Photo: Ivan Sasu
Discover one of Ticino’s most picturesque Alpine views. From Lake Tremorgio, through the dolomitic formations of the Campolungo Pass to the Alpe Zarìa: an explosion of fragrance and colours.
moderate
Distance 10.1 km
3:40 h
524 m
1,095 m
2,318 m
1,276 m
The area around the Campolungo Pass is one of the most captivating in the whole of Ticino. Not only is it rich from a geological and mineralogical perspective, but also in terms of its nature and culture: a huge number of different plant species grow at these latitudes and the richness is such that, despite being slightly out of the way, this area is still extremely popular for its dairy production. This is confirmed near the Alpe Zarìa, where an excellent local cheese is made and can be purchased in Fusio.

The huge meadows are home to species such as Alpine clover, common gorse, orange radichiella, mountain arnica, bearded bellflower, Koch’s gentian, Alpine aster, Helianthemum nummularium, wild thyme, Alpine columbine and orchids such as the Manina rosea and the common nigritella. Unusually damp environments characterised by peat moss can be found in the meadow area around the Alpe Zarìa and the Alpe Pianascio. The altitude allows for the development of a few last groves of larch or mountain pine, accompanied by red rhododendrons and blackberries, giving way to Alpine meadows where eight-petal mountain-avens and various so-called “cushion plants” such as blue-green rockfoils, light-blue globe daisies and creeping gypsophila grow. From a geological perspective, the white dolomite rock faces near the pass are worthy of note.

Discover more walks "Alla scoperta della biodiversità" in the printed guide (in Italian). Information: www.a-pro.ch 

Profile picture of Mariano Berri
Author
Mariano Berri 
Update: April 01, 2022
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Highest point
2,318 m
Lowest point
1,276 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 10.24%Forested/wild trail 20.82%Path 67.13%Road 1.79%
Asphalt
1 km
Forested/wild trail
2.1 km
Path
6.8 km
Road
0.2 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Chiosco del Sambuco

Safety information

Sentieri Svizzeri - Escursioni sicure

Start

Rodi (Funivia)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'698'797E 1'148'708N
DD
46.482405, 8.725278
DMS
46°28'56.7"N 8°43'31.0"E
UTM
32T 478913 5147685
w3w 
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Destination

Fusio, Paese

Turn-by-turn directions

The route starts in Rodi Fiesso, where a cable car makes Lake Tremorgio easily accessible. Follow the signs for the Campolungo Pass and cross the magnificent plateau, particularly rich in minerals. Once past a small hump, continue in the same direction and along the imposing rock face to the Campolungo Pass, an incredible lookout point. Continue onto the Alpe Pianascio, the entrance to another area extremely prized for its flowers and vegetation. To get a better look at this magnificent site, continue along the path that descends the Alpe Zarìa (not official but passable). Continue towards Fusio and, once you rejoin the official path, you have three options: turn back, make a diversion towards the Capanna Leit hut and walk to Dalpe, or continue on to Fusio, where you can stay overnight and buy cheese produced on the Alpe Zarìa.

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Train from Locarno to Faido + Bus 120 from Faido, towards Airolo (Rodi-Posta stop). Timetable on www.sbb.ch

Coordinates

SwissGrid
2'698'797E 1'148'708N
DD
46.482405, 8.725278
DMS
46°28'56.7"N 8°43'31.0"E
UTM
32T 478913 5147685
w3w 
///compress.flip.replays
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Book recommendation by the author

Alla scoperta della biodiversità, Escursioni nelle zone naturali protette del Canton Ticino

Ivan Sasu, Eric Vimercati, Marcello Martinoni, SalvioniEdizioni, ISBN 978-88-7967-419-5

Equipment

  • Hiking daypack (approx. 20 liters) with rain cover
  • Comfortable and sturdy footwear
  • Adequate and durable outdoor clothing in multiple layers
  • Telescope sticks if necessary
  • Sun and rain protection
  • Snacks and drinking water
  • First aid kit
  • Penknife
  • Mobile phone, headlight if necessary
  • Maps

Similar routes nearby

  • Places of Power in Fusio-Mogno
  • Places of Power in Verzasca Valley
  • Places of Power in Bavona Valley
  • Val Bavona: Foroglio-Calnègia-Foroglio
  • Val Bavona: Foroglio-San Carlo
 These suggestions were generated by our system
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
10.1 km
Duration
3:40 h
Ascent
524 m
Descent
1,095 m
Highest point
2,318 m
Lowest point
1,276 m
Public-transport-friendly Linear route Scenic Flora Fauna

Weather at the route's trailhead

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