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Via Alta Vallemaggia

Mountain Hike
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  • Via Alta Vallemaggia
    Via Alta Vallemaggia
    Photo: Ascona-Locarno Tourism

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    Step by step the horizon opens up.

    Grassy ridges, scree slopes, mountain lakes, small firn fields, flower meadows, rocky ridges, larch forests, chain-secured passages… Undoubtedly a trekking route unique in the Alps, the Via Alta Vallemaggia.

    difficult
    Distance 168.6 km
    85:00 h
    14,140 m
    15,530 m
    2,774 m
    254 m

    It is aimed at all those who seek an experience along the mountain chains of Vallemaggia, from the pre-Alpine landscapes above Lake Maggiore to the high Alpine regions at Basodino. With its two variants in the north, the route covers a total of 200 km in 19 stages, sometimes on white-red mountain paths, sometimes on blue-white sections with difficulties up to T5–. Considering the length, the long-distance hike is ideally suited as a long-term goal, which can be tackled in several attempts – each perfectly tailored to one’s own needs!

    Source: Associazione Via Alta Vallemaggia

    Author’s recommendation

    BOOK ONLINE

    Check the availability of beds in the huts of the Via Alta Vallemaggia by specifying the day of departure, the number of participants, and the chosen direction.

    A separate reservation must be made for each hut. By clicking on the number of available beds, the reservation page for the respective hut will open.

    GUIDE

    Do you want to experience a beautiful adventure on the Via Alta Vallemaggia? Trust a trained guide who knows how to safely lead you along a route and discover extraordinary alpine landscapes this way.

    Profile picture of Mariano Berri
    Author
    Mariano Berri 
    Logo Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Responsible for this content
    Ascona-Locarno Tourism  Verified partner 
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    2,774 m
    Lowest point
    254 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 2.99%Forested/wild trail 4.44%Path 70.61%Road 0.59%Traces of trail 13.74%Unknown 7.60%
    Asphalt
    5 km
    Forested/wild trail
    7.5 km
    Path
    119 km
    Road
    1 km
    Traces of trail
    23.2 km
    Unknown
    12.8 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Capanna Cimetta
    Mountain hut Nimi
    Mountain hut Alpe Masnee
    Mountain hut Alpe Spluga
    Capanna Tomeo
    Mountain hut Barone
    Mountain hut Soveltra

    Safety information

    The Via Alta Vallemaggia partly runs over mountain hiking paths (T3), partly over alpine trails (T4-T5–). Here and there, short sections with risk of falling and easy climbing passages must be overcome. The most difficult places are often secured with chains and anchors.

    SAC Difficulty Scale (PDF)

    Some huts already open in June, when the connecting stages are often still covered with snow. The best season usually lasts from July to September/October. But even in midsummer, it is recommended to contact the hut wardens and ask about the current conditions. Reservations in the huts are absolutely necessary to avoid unpleasant surprises and to secure a sleeping place.

    The necessary prerequisites are:

    • Good experience in the alpine environment
    • Sufficient fitness
    • Detailed planning (current conditions, weather, etc.)
    • Surefootedness in pathless terrain and freedom from dizziness

    Not to be underestimated:

    • Altitude
    • Sudden weather changes
    • Snow fields (especially early season)
    • Stage length (especially for larger groups)
    • Often patchy mobile network coverage
    • No drinking water sources on some stages

    Emergency number in Switzerland (REGA): 1414

    International emergency number: 112

    When calling 112 you will be directly connected to the responsible rescue unit (medical service, police, fire brigade). The GSM emergency number 112 can also be dialed with a blocked SIM card or blocked device. The emergency number 112 applies in almost all countries with GSM networks. Outside Switzerland, it also works without a SIM card.

    In case of emergency:

    • Keep a cool head
    • Protect injured and affected persons from further dangers, weather, and cold
    • Provide first aid
    • Alert rescue forces and initiate the rescue. Do not leave injured persons alone
    • Do not forget your own safety

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'704'258E 1'117'517N
    DD
    46.201040, 8.789390
    DMS
    46°12'03.7"N 8°47'21.8"E
    UTM
    32T 483751 5116406
    w3w 
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    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    • Good mountain shoes
    • Suitable clothing
    • Sunglasses, sun protection
    • Country map 1:25,000, altimeter, compass, possibly GPS
    • Small first aid kit, emergency blanket
    • Enough provisions and drinks
    • Identity card, cash (Swiss francs and euros)

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated using German as the source language

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    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    168.6 km
    Duration
    85:00 h
    Ascent
    14,140 m
    Descent
    15,530 m
    Highest point
    2,774 m
    Lowest point
    254 m
    Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Geological highlights Flora Fauna Insider tip

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

    Statistics

    • Content
    • Show images Hide images
    Features
    Maps and trails
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - 1st stage: Cimetta-Capanna Alpe Nimi
    recommended route Difficulty T4 difficult Stage 1
    Distance 10.3 km
    Duration 5:30 h
    Ascent 1,170 m
    Descent 1,090 m

    This first stage of the Via Alta Vallemaggia leads from Cimetta (1329 m above sea level) to the Alpe Nimi hut (1718 m above sea level). 

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - 2nd stage: Capanna Alpe Nimi - Rifugio Alpe Masnee
    recommended route Difficulty T5 difficult Stage 2
    Distance 4.7 km
    Duration 3:30 h
    Ascent 720 m
    Descent 266 m

    The second stage of the Via Alta Vallemaggia leads in about 3.5-4 hours from the hut of Alpe Nimi (1718 m above sea level) to Alpe Masnee (2063 m ...

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - 3rd stage: Alpe Masnee hut-Alpe Spluga hut
    recommended route Difficulty T4 difficult Stage 3
    Distance 10.3 km
    Duration 5:45 h
    Ascent 714 m
    Descent 1,220 m

    The third stage of the Via Alta Vallemaggia leads from Alpe Masnee (2063 m above sea level) to Alpe Spluga (1838 m above sea level). 

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - 4th stage: Capanna Alpe Spluga-Capanna Tomeo
    recommended route Difficulty T5 difficult Stage 4
    Distance 8.6 km
    Duration 6:00 h
    Ascent 1,020 m
    Descent 1,120 m

    The fourth stage of the Via Alta Vallemaggia takes about 6 hours. It leads from Alpe Spluga (1838 m above sea level) to the Tomeo hut (1739 m ...

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - 5th stage: Tomeo Hut-Barone Hut
    recommended route Difficulty T4 difficult Stage 5
    Distance 10.1 km
    Duration 6:00 h
    Ascent 1,530 m
    Descent 1,100 m

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - 6th stage: Capanna Barone-Fusio
    recommended route Difficulty T4 difficult Stage 6
    Distance 13.9 km
    Duration 7:30 h
    Ascent 1,210 m
    Descent 2,090 m

    We quickly return along the already familiar path to Bocchetta della Campala. From there, a long descent with short exposed sections leads us into ...

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia- Stage 7N: Fusio-Capanna Cristallina
    recommended route Difficulty T4 difficult Stage 7
    Distance 18.8 km
    Duration 8:45 h
    Ascent 2,180 m
    Descent 623 m

    The northern route of the seventh stage takes almost 9 hours from Fusio (1289 m above sea level) to the Capanna Cristallina (2566 m above sea level).

    Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia- Stage 8N: Capanna Cristallina-Rifugio Maria Luisa
    recommended route Difficulty T4 difficult Stage 8
    Distance 14.8 km
    Duration 5:30 h
    Ascent 810 m
    Descent 1,220 m

    The eighth stage along the northern route takes 5.5 hours to Piedmont. From Capanna Cristallina (2566 m above sea level) to Rifugio Maria Luisa ...

    Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - Stage 10: Rifugio Maria Luisa-Capanna Piano delle Creste
    recommended route Difficulty T4 difficult Stage 9
    Distance 11.6 km
    Duration 4:00 h
    Ascent 840 m
    Descent 890 m

    The ninth stage returns from Piedmont to Switzerland. In 5 hours from Rifugio Maria Luisa (2160 m a.s.l.) to Capanna Piano delle Creste (2107 m a ...

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - Stage 11: Capanna Piano delle Creste-Capanna Grossalp
    recommended route Difficulty T4 difficult Stage 10
    Distance 11.4 km
    Duration 6:30 h
    Ascent 1,010 m
    Descent 1,200 m

    The tenth stage is long: 6.5 hours. From Piano delle Creste (2107 m.a.s.l.) the route crosses enchanting rocky slopes, leading to Capanna Grossalp ...

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - Stage 12: Capanna Grossalp-Cimalmotto
    recommended route Difficulty T3 moderate Stage 11
    Distance 7.3 km
    Duration 3:00 h
    Ascent 390 m
    Descent 900 m

    A short and technically less demanding stage constitutes the eleventh stage. From Capanna Grossalp (1885 m.a.s.l.) you descend to Cimalmotto (1402 ...

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - Stage 13: Cimalmotto-Capanna Ribia
    recommended route Difficulty T4 difficult Stage 12
    Distance 12 km
    Duration 6:45 h
    Ascent 1,490 m
    Descent 900 m

    The twelfth stage takes just under 7 hours from Cimalmotto (1402 m a.s.l.) in Vallemaggia to Capanna Ribia (1996 m a.s.l.) in Valle Onsernone.

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - Stage 14: Capanna Ribia-Capanna Alzasca
    recommended route Difficulty T4 moderate Stage 13
    Distance 7.9 km
    Duration 3:30 h
    Ascent 540 m
    Descent 800 m

    The thirteenth stage, from Capanna Ribia (1996 m a.s.l.) to Capanna Alzasca (1733 m a.s.l.), is short but mostly trail-less. 3.5 hours in the ...

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - Stage 15: Capanna Alzasca-Capanna Alpe Canaa
    recommended route Difficulty T4 moderate Stage 14
    Distance 6.6 km
    Duration 3:45 h
    Ascent 710 m
    Descent 610 m

    A ridge hike of almost 4 hours from Capanna Alzasca (1733 m a.s.l.) to Capanna Alpe Canaa (1842 m a.s.l.).

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - Stage 16: Capanna Alpe Canaa-Salmone
    recommended route Difficulty T3 difficult Stage 15
    Distance 10.5 km
    Duration 5:00 h
    Ascent 840 m
    Descent 1,130 m

    The fifteenth stage is technically less demanding. The walking time from Capanna Alpe Canaa (1842 m a.s.l.) to Salmone (1559 m a.s.l.) is about 5 ...

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Mountain Hike · Ascona-Locarno
    Via Alta Vallemaggia - Stage 17: Salmone-Ponte Brolla
    recommended route Difficulty T3 moderate Stage 16
    Distance 10.4 km
    Duration 4:00 h
    Ascent 300 m
    Descent 1,600 m

    The sixteenth and last stage leads in 4 hours from Salmone (1559 m.a.s.l.) to Ponte Brolla (254 m.a.s.l.).  

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    16 Stages
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