From the Simplon Pass (Valais) to San Bernardino (Graubünden)

Following on from ‘From the Great St Bernard Pass to the Simplon Pass’, here is ‘From the Simplon Pass to the San Bernardino Pass’.

This is not the return journey from the Great St Bernard Pass to the Simplon, following a language study trip to Italy, but rather the continuation of the route towards the San Bernardino Pass in the Canton of Graubünden. This hike requires a very high level of fitness, as several stages involve more than 1,300 metres of ascent or descent. After two days in Wallis (the German-speaking part of Valais), the atmosphere becomes entirely Italian: two days in Italy (Val Formazza), nine days in Ticino (Tessin in Italian), and two days in Grigioni (Grisons in Italian). Lake Maggiore and Locarno are also on the itinerary.

Photos

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S
   

   Simplon Hospiz - Rosswald

   12.21 mi 3,563 ft 4,114 ft

   Departure from the Simplon Hospice. From the hospice, take the Stockalperweg on the right after the tunnel under the Simplon road. Follow the signs for Rothwald. At Rothwald, the trail continues on the other side of the road and leads to Wäse and then Wintrigmatte. The trail bypasses the Furggubaum torrent at Scrickboden at the foot of the Furggubaumlicke and begins to climb towards the Bortelhütte. The trail descends towards the Schiess torrent (small bridge) and climbs slightly towards Stafel, which offers a panoramic view of the Bortelhorn. A gravel road leads to the top of the village of Rosswald.Markings: White-red-white.

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2. 2
   

   Rosswald - Binn

   10.62 mi 3,025 ft 4,423 ft

   Classic stage of the Mineralien Tour. In Rosswald, signs point to the Saflisch Pass trail, Binn. The climb is quite steep up to the Fleshboden chairlift station. The path is always well marked and becomes more pleasant up to the Saflisch Pass. Stay on the AlpenPässe Weg to Binna Stausee. Descend to Binn via the Via Alpina Blue. The Saflischpass is the French/German language border. Markings: White-RedBwhite. AlpenPässe Weg - Via Alpina Blue D4

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3. 3
   

   Binn - Crampiolo

   8.06 mi 3,960 ft 2,782 ft

   This stage is common to both the Mineralien Tour and the Walser Tour. The Geisspfadpass marks the border between Switzerland and Italy. In Binn, cross the small bridge over the Binna, follow the road to Fäld for about 1 km, and a sign on the right indicates the path to Geisspfadsee and Mässersee. This path joins the one coming from Fäld at the Mässerchäller chalet (1,879 m). Follow the signs for Maniboden. The climb to the Geisspfadpass is then very easy. The descent to Piano della Rossa is through large scree, with passages equipped with chains and ladders, but no particular difficulty. The descent to Crampiolo is very pleasant.Markings: White-Red-White]. Via Alpina Blue D3 and D2

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4. 4
   

   Crampiolo - Salecchio Superiore

   9.04 mi 3,173 ft 4,094 ft

   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.

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5. 5
   

   Salecchio Superiore - Bosco/Gurin

   9.32 mi 4,993 ft 4,869 ft

   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.

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6. 6
   

   Bosco/Gurin - Capanna Alzaska

   9.83 mi 4,478 ft 3,740 ft

   At the edge of the village, follow the path towards Cerentino. Descend to the village of Cerentino, then follow the road to Cevio for about 2.7 km. As a guide, about 2 km along, in a 180° bend, a sign indicates a path to Niva, and about 700 m further on, on the right, at a bus stop, the path to Capanna Alzasca begins. The path is shaded (chestnut, oak, hazel and other deciduous trees), but the climb is quite steep up to Alpe Orsalii. The climb to Bocchetta di Cansgei is more pleasant and well marked. The bochetta offers a magnificent view of Lago Alzasca. Descend to the sheepfold (Cortic di Cima) and follow the signs for Capanna Alzasaca. From the capanna, Lago Alzasca is about 20 minutes away. Lago Alzasca is considered the most beautiful natural lake in Ticino.Markings: White-Red-White.

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7. 7
   

   Capanna Alzasca - Gordevio

   12.35 mi 1,371 ft 6,060 ft

   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.

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8. 8
   

   Gordevio - Capanna Cimetta

   5.25 mi 4,783 ft 387 ft

   La Cimetta: a superb viewpoint over Lake Maggiore. From the old village of Gordevio, go to the church of Gordevio and follow the signs for Pii. In Pii, the chalets of Piano and Pianosto are signposted. From Piano, directions to Cimetta and Avegno are indicated. The imposing relay transmitter antenna is already visible well before Alpe de Vegnasca. Near Capanna de la Cimetta, a platform with an orientation table offers a magnificent panorama.Markings: White-Red-White.

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9. 9
   

   Capanna Cimetta - Locarno

   5.28 mi 69 ft 4,770 ft

   Locarno, the lowest point on the route (200 metres). From Capanna de la Cimetta, follow the path towards Alpe de Cardada and then Cardada. Take the path behind the Ristorante Colmanicchio and follow the signs for San Bernardo. Continue towards Orselina. The long path through the woods passes the 15th-century Renaissance-style convent of Madonna del Sasso, then wide steps run alongside the funicular railway and descend to the old town of Locarno. This lively town in Ticino, on the shores of Lake Maggiore, hosts the International Film Festival in the first half of August. This short stage offers the opportunity to visit the town and enjoy Lake Maggiore (swimming, boat trips, etc.).Markings: White-Red-White.

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10. 10
    

    Locarno - Lavertezzo

    9.60 mi 4,426 ft 3,379 ft

    Sights: The Verzasca dam, the village of Corripo and the Ponte dei Salti. From the centre of Locarno, head for the church in Brione sul Minusio. Follow the road towards Mergoscia for 50 metres and, at a small square on the left, take the steps leading to a small chapel. Follow the signs for Viona and Monti di Lego. This small peak offers a magnificent view of Lake Maggiore. Descend towards the village of Mergoscia, where you will see Lago di Vogorno and the Verzasca Dam, made famous by the James Bond film "Golden Eye". Continue towards Corripo, where a viewpoint overlooks the Verzasca and the village of Vogorno. The trail then runs alongside the Verzasca to Lavertezzo, a popular destination thanks to its famous old Roman bridge (Ponte dei Salti).Markings: White-Red-White.

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11. 11
    

    Lavertezzo - Capanna Efra

    11.56 mi 5,443 ft 495 ft

    Magnificent clear green pools in the Verzasca. At Lavertezzo, follow the path on the right bank of the Verzasca and cross the Ponte di Salti. The path climbs gently along the crystal-clear waters of the Verzasca to Ganne. Cross the Ganne bridge and follow the river on its bank to Alnasca, Gerra and finally Frasco. Just opposite the church in Frasco, you will find information about the Val d'Efra facilities. The trail, which starts with steps, is always well marked. The climb is gradual, with numerous waterfalls and green pools along the way. At Alpe dell'Efra, there are two possible routes, one leading directly to the Capanna, the other making a short detour via Lago d'Efra, which is well worth the detour. Please note that the Capanna d'Efra is unmanned: there is no catering (bring your evening meal with you).Markings: White-Red-White].

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12. 12
    

    Capanna Efra - Pollegio

    9.84 mi 1,362 ft 7,057 ft

    More than 2,000 metres of descent are on the agenda for the day. The trail to Passo Gagnone starts just behind the Capanna d'Efra. This is the only climb of the day. From the pass, the long descent begins, first into Val Gagnone and then to Bedra. The trail then enters the woods and overlooks the torrent. A few houses along the way in Marzoch, Gallina and Monastei allow you to check your position on the map. The path continues along the torrent to Bacino Val d'Ambra. Continue downhill to reach the village of Personico. Then follow the signs for Pollegio/Biasca to the bridge that crosses the Ticino river. Continue along the path to an underpass beneath the motorway to finally enter the village of Pollegio.Markings: GR® White-Red-White. Via Alpina Red R87.

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13. 13
    

    Pollegio - Capanna Cava

    7.51 mi 6,158 ft 367 ft

    The day's programme includes a climb of nearly 2,000 metres. In the village of Pollegio, follow the signs for Biasca. In the centre of Biasca, at the foot of the imposing San Carlo church, signs indicate the direction for Capanna Cava via Svall. The trail passes by a few grotti (restaurants set up in caves), then climbs fairly steeply to reach an old road. The signs are still there. The path continues through a chestnut grove and leads to Svall (a few houses and a water source). Above the chalets, the climb is still quite steep until you reach an altitude of 1,900 metres. Then the trail becomes very pleasant until you reach Forcarella di Cava. Capanna Cava is now in sight. It takes just 15 minutes to reach it.Markings: White-Red-White.

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14. 14
    

    Capanna di Cava - Rossa

    9.38 mi 3,159 ft 6,385 ft

    Passo Giümela marks the border between the cantons of Ticino and Graubünden. From Capanna Cava, head to the farm at Alpe de Cava, continue down the gravel road to Alpe di Sceng, then Fontai. In this small hamlet, follow the signs for Ponte di Sceng, cross the Lesguïna via the bridge and climb back up to Biborgh. The path continues towards Alpe de Lesgiüna (goat farm). The trail (with cables and steps) is quite steep until Alpe de Giümela. Continue to Passo Giümela, which marks the entrance to the canton of Graubünden. Descend to Alpe de Naucal and follow the signs for Rossa. Take this road to the first houses. Behind the small chapel, the path descends directly to Rossa.Markings: White-Red-White.

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15. E
    

    Rossa - San Bernardino

    9.59 mi 3,799 ft 2,005 ft

    Final stage to reach San Bernardino. From Rossa, follow the road to the hamlet of Valbella (bottom of Val Calanca). The trail continues on the right bank of the Calancacasca torrent. At Alpe de Lögna, turn right towards Pass di Passit. In a chaotic setting, after a first lake, Pass di Passit is easily reached. After the pass, reach the second lake and continue along the high-altitude trail. Descend towards Lago d'Isola. Head towards Ponte di Cal and descend towards San Bernardino along the Ri di Confin.Markings: White-Red-White.

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