Mountain Hike recommended route Multi-stage route

Trekking dei laghetti alpini

Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno closed
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  • Fusio
    Fusio
    Photo: Timo Cadlolo

A journey of discovery through a landscape of blue lakes and skies

5 days and 4 nights
Difference in altitude 5020 m
Max altitude 2698 m
14 alpine lakes
Wonderful views
Silence and nature
Infinite experiences!

Are you ready?

closed
difficult
Distance 63.2 km
26:30 h
5,020 m
5,020 m
2,698 m
1,281 m

This new high-altitude route in the mountains of the upper Maggia Valley, straddling two regions, offers five exciting days in the great outdoors in a spectacular Alpine lake landscape with countless lakes to discover: from a tiny, hidden pool nestled between the mountains to the ripple on a small lake, drawing your curious gaze from afar and offering a grassy shore for a well-deserved rest, to the mirror-like surface of a basin quietly working

to produce renewable energy. The trail also runs alongside watercourses, specifically the springs, waterfalls, rivulets, brooks and streams that feed into the main rivers of the Lepontine Alps, namely the Maggia, Ticino and Toce. Then there is the ice: the landscape is dotted with glistening glaciers large and small.

The trail offers sweeping views: at every turn, your eye is drawn to a new valley between Vallemaggia, Formazza and Leventina as you trek throu­gh the spectacular scenery with constantly changing views. The trail runs above the tree line through open spaces, offering a pristine Alpine landsca­pe dominated by the sky. The region is home to countless animal species, from the ibex to the chamois, from the golden eagle to the peregrine falcon, and from the marmot to the stoat, fox and white hare. Not to mention the warm welcome, from the unattended refuge, where you can have fun at the stove, to the typical Alpine hut run by people who know how to spoil you or the mountain hotel with rooms and showers: the evenings provide further opportunities to discover something new.

In short, on this tour, water is not the only highlight.

Author’s recommendation

Some huts open as early as June, when the connecting sections are usually still covered in snow.

Generally, the best season for trekking is between July and Septem­ber/October.

However, even in the height of summer, you are advised to contact the guardians to check the state of the route. Overnight stays must be booked in advan­ce in order to avoid unpleasant surprises and find oneself without accommodation.

Check the availability: https://www.viaaltavallemaggia.ch/en/check-availability 

Profile picture of Mariano Berri
Author
Mariano Berri 
Update: July 04, 2024
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Highest point
2,698 m
Lowest point
1,281 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Mountain hut Poncione di Braga
Capanna Basòdino
Albergo Robiei
Rifugio Maria Luisa
Mountain hut Cristallina
Chiosco del Sambuco

Safety information

The Alpine lakes trekking route (Trekking dei laghetti alpini) runs mainly along mountain paths (level of hiking difficulty: T3) with some section of Alpine tracks (T4). However, the trek should not be taken lightly, especially in terms of the length of some of the sections and the elevation, reaching altitudes of around 3,000 metres above asl in places.

The following are therefore required:

  • good physical condition
  • detailed planning (current conditions, weather forecast etc.)
  • surefootedness on uneven ground (scree etc.)

Not to be underestimated:

  • high elevation
  • sudden weather changes
  • presence of snow at the beginning of the season
  • trekking time (particularly when hiking in large groups)
  • often no mobile coverage
  • lack of drinking water sources along some sections

Emergency telephone number: 112

Tips and suggestions

https://www.vialtavallemaggia.ch/    

https://www.capanneti.ch/ (mountain huts)

https://map.geo.admin.ch/ (topographic map)

http://www.robiei.ch/ (cable car Robièi)

Start

Fusio
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'693'998E 1'144'335N
DD
46.443760, 8.661896
DMS
46°26'37.5"N 8°39'42.8"E
UTM
32T 474029 5143409
w3w 
///hoops.tiger.unclaimed

Destination

Fusio

Turn-by-turn directions

Fusio-Poncione di Braga mountain hut-Robièi-Maria Luisa mountain hut (I), Cristallina mountain hut-Fusio

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Coordinates

SwissGrid
2'693'998E 1'144'335N
DD
46.443760, 8.661896
DMS
46°26'37.5"N 8°39'42.8"E
UTM
32T 474029 5143409
w3w 
///hoops.tiger.unclaimed
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Author’s map recommendations

National Map 1:25'000
  • 1271 Basòdino
  • 1272 Pizzo Campo Tencia
  • 1251 Val Bedretto
  • 1252 Ambri Piotta

Equipment

  • good hiking boots
  • suitable clothing
  • sunglasses and sunscreen
  • map with a scale of 1:25,000, altimeter and, if possible, GPS
  • travel pharmacy and emergency thermal blanket
  • sufficient food and drink
  • identity card and cash (francs and euros)
Status
closed
Difficulty
difficult
Distance
63.2 km
Duration
26:30 h
Ascent
5,020 m
Descent
5,020 m
Highest point
2,698 m
Lowest point
1,281 m
Public-transport-friendly Round trip Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Geological highlights Flora Fauna Insider tip

Weather at the route's trailhead

Statistics

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Features
Maps and trails
  • 5 Stages
Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
Trekking dei laghetti alpini - Stage 1: Fusio-Poncione di Braga mountain hut
recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 1 closed
Distance 11.8 km
Duration 6:30 h
Ascent 1,680 m
Descent 970 m

from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
Trekking dei laghetti alpini - Stage 2: Poncione di Braga mountain hut-Robiei
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 2
Distance 9.4 km
Duration 4:30 h
Ascent 840 m
Descent 990 m

from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
Trekking dei laghetti alpini - Stage 3: Robiei- Maria Luisa mountain hut
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 3
Distance 9.4 km
Duration 4:00 h
Ascent 810 m
Descent 500 m

from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
Trekking dei laghetti alpini - Stage 4: Maria Luisa mountain hut-Cristallina mountain hut
recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 4 closed
Distance 14.3 km
Duration 5:30 h
Ascent 1,090 m
Descent 680 m

from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
Trekking dei laghetti alpini - Stage 5: Cristallina mountain hut-Fusio
recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 5
Distance 18.2 km
Duration 7:30 h
Ascent 600 m
Descent 1,880 m

from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
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