Bosco/Gurin - Capanna Alzaska

A magnificent hike in Val Bavona, dotted with typical stone houses. Park at the beautiful spot called Ritorto. Follow the small forest path along the Bavona for about 1 km before arriving at the very picturesque and authentic village of Foroglio, which you cross in the direction of Calneggia. You then climb very quickly up the 100 metres of the waterfall via a path consisting of numerous stone steps. You will then arrive in Val Calneggia, where you will pass a few small stone houses and cross a small bridge. The hike then follows the stream to the alpine village of Calneggia, surrounded by a cirque. Return by the same route, accompanied by the sound of the crystal-clear stream. Magnificent!

Descent to Val Maggia. The Maggia flows into Lake Maggiore between Ascona and Locarno. From Capanna Alzasca, follow the direction of Cevio. At Corte di Fondo, take the path on the right that descends to Cascata del Soladino and then Val Maggia. The trail continues on the right bank of the Maggia and passes through Lodano and Moghegno opposite the village of Maggia. On leaving Moghegno, cross the Maggia and continue on the left bank through Ronchini and finally Gordevio.Markings: White-Red-White.

Return to Switzerland, in Ticino via the Guriner Furka. From Salecchio, take the same path as the day before to Alpi di Vova and follow the signs for Antillone and Fondovalle. Shortly after Altillone, the path joins the road, which you follow for 500 metres to the village of Fondovalle. A good path through the woods climbs towards the Guriner Furka via Alpe Stavello. Finally, a pass appears, the Passo della Foglia, but this is not the Guriner Furka. It takes another quarter of an hour to reach it via the path that branches off to the left. From Guriner Furka, you can see the chalets of Grossalp and the village of Bosco/Gurin. The descent is easy and pleasant. Bosco/Gurin is a Walser village, and German is commonly spoken there, even though it is located inTicino Markings: White-Red-White.

This fourth stage is marked by the crossing of two passes, the Passo Muretto and the Bocchetta di Scarpia. You will also cross several mountain pastures such as Alpe de Salecchio, Alpe de Pojola and Alpe de Sangiatto. In the evening, upon arrival in Crampiolo, you will have the opportunity to visit Lago Devero.

This third stage is very wild and not very busy. After Lago Vannino and Passo Busin, you will discover another lake, Lago Busin Inferiore. During the descent to Salecchio, you will notice the Walser habitat as you pass through hamlets such as Case Francoli and Salecchio Superiore. The dormitory at Rifugio Zum Gora dates back to the 17th century.

At Crampiolo, the path to Bochetta della Valle is signposted and initially follows the left bank of Lago Dévéro. The path then continues towards the Alpi della Valle and Naga mountain pastures. Further up, a sign indicates the direction of Bocchetta della Valle. Walk along the Busin Superiore lakes and descend to the Busin Inferiore lake dam. The trail resumes below the dam (red markings) and the descent is quite steep to Alpe di Vova. From there, a balcony path leads to Salecchio Superiore via Casa Francoli. Crampiolo and Salecchio Superiore: two magnificent Walser-style villages.Markings: White-Red-White.

This fifth stage crosses the Devero and Veglia Natural Parks. During the day, you will cross two more passes, the Scatta d'Orogna and the Passo di Valtendra. After the second pass, the landscape becomes more harmonious. A pretty little stream and a long passage through the woods accompany the descent to Alpe de Veglia. Alpe de Veglia is a group of small hamlets located close to each other at the bottom of a very steep valley. Major peaks such as Monte Leone (3,553 m) and Bortelhorn (3,194 m) surround these peaceful hamlets.

This second stage crosses the Italian-Swiss border at the Albrunpass. You will enter the Val Formazza. The highest point of the day is at Scatta Minoïa. After the Ettore Conti bivouac, the descent to Lake Vannino is very pleasant and easy. The Rifugio Margaroli is located at the end of the lake. This relatively short stage gives you the opportunity to climb up to Lake Sruer at 2,351 m. (Absolute tranquillity guaranteed and magnificent views of Lake Vannino).