Accommodation:
- Efra: Capanna Efra hut with no attendant or food service. (Bring your own evening meal)
Lavertezzo - Capanna Efra
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].
This walk is part of a multi-day hike: From the Simplon Pass (Valais) to San Bernardino (Graubünden)
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 11.56 mi -
Average duration: 10h 05 -
Difficulty: Difficult -
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Back to start: No -
Ascent: + 5,443 ft -
Descent: - 495 ft -
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Highest point: 6,673 ft -
Lowest point: 1,709 ft
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Country:
Switzerland
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Area: Alps -
City:
Lavertezzo -
Start: N 46.252115° / E 8.843568° -
End: N 46.338429° / E 8.851321° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Waypoints
- S : mi 0 - alt. 1,726 ft - Lavertezzo - Hotel Posse
- 1 : mi 0.09 - alt. 1,709 ft - Ponte di Salti
- 2 : mi 0.15 - alt. 1,808 ft - Oviga di fuori
- 3 : mi 3.18 - alt. 2,211 ft - Al Campo
- 4 : mi 3.43 - alt. 2,198 ft - Pont de Ganne
- 5 : mi 4.84 - alt. 2,500 ft - Alnasca
- 6 : mi 6.04 - alt. 2,651 ft - Gerra
- 7 : mi 7.77 - alt. 2,989 ft - Frasco
- 8 : mi 10.49 - alt. 5,558 ft - Alpe del Efra
- 9 : mi 11.14 - alt. 6,020 ft - Lago d'Efra
- E : mi 11.56 - alt. 6,673 ft - Capanna Efra
Notes
Other walks in the area
Capanna Cimetta - Locarno
Visorando Member 
5.28 mi
+69 ft
-4,770 ft
2h 30
Moderate
Departure from Avegno-Gordevio (Ticino)
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.
Gordevio - Capanna Cimetta
Visorando Member 
5.25 mi
+4,783 ft
-387 ft
6h 35
Difficult
Departure from Maggia (Ticino)
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.
Capanna Efra - Pollegio
Visorando Member 
9.84 mi
+1,362 ft
-7,057 ft
5h 45
Moderate
Departure from Frasco (Ticino)
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.
Locarno - Lavertezzo
Visorando Member 
9.60 mi
+4,426 ft
-3,379 ft
8h 15
Difficult
Departure from Locarno (Ticino)
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.
Vira Gambarogno - Alpe di Neggia
Visorando Member 
4.56 mi
+4,462 ft
-584 ft
6h 00
Difficult
Departure from Vira (Gambarogno) (Ticino)
This first stage begins on the left bank of Lake Maggiore, shortly after the Ticino River flows into the lake.
From Vira to Alpe di Neggia, gradually gaining altitude, you will discover the towns of Locarno and Ascona, separated by the Maggia River delta. In the distance, you will see the imposing dam on the Verzasca River, made famous by the James Bond film "Goldeneye". At Alpe di Neggia, far from the hustle and bustle of the lake, you will appreciate this very relaxing place.
From Lake Maggiore to Lake Como
Visorando Member 
62.64 mi
+20,725 ft
-20,751 ft
8 days
Difficult
Departure from Vira (Gambarogno) (Ticino)
A magnificent route through the Swiss canton of Ticino and the Italian province of Lombardy. Over the course of eight days, you will discover three lakes and three different atmospheres. You will climb several peaks overlooking these lakes. The ridges you will walk along often form the geographical border between Switzerland and Italy.
Pollegio - Capanna Cava
Visorando Member 
7.51 mi
+6,158 ft
-367 ft
8h 50
Very difficult
Departure from Pollegio (Ticino)
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.
Rivera - Capanna Monte Bar
Visorando Member 
8.28 mi
+4,196 ft
-502 ft
7h 30
Difficult
Departure from Rivera (Ticino)
This third stage offers several more viewpoints over the lakes. On this route, you move away from Lake Maggiore and closer to Lake Lugano. At Davrosio, you will recognise Monte Tamaro and Menéra with its antenna. At the Motto della Croce viewpoint, looking south, Lake Lugano is clearly recognisable by the peak that towers above it: Monte San Salvator. A glance to the west allows you to catch a last glimpse of Lake Maggiore.
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