Sentiero Alpino Calanca

A steep climb over gneiss rocks ends at the highest point of the Sentiero Alpino: the cairn on the heavily weathered Bedoleta ridge at 2,514 metres. A spectacular view opens up of the Mesolcina mountains and to the circular Lagh de Trescolmen lake.

A steeply descending, winding path snakes down through alpine roses to Alp de Trescolmen. Travelling westwards over the flatter alm, it descends again over a steep section. Climbing slightly, you soon reach an idyllic lake, which would be an inviting spot to take a break if so much of this stage was not still ahead of you. A waterfall, which flows into the lake over the rock faces behind, keeps the water level stable.

From the lake, the path climbs to the next shoulder of the terrain. You exit the valley and travel continually up and down, between boulders, alder bushes and over small streams and gullies, until you reach the Bocchetta del Büscenel with its striking cairn. The most exposed section of the Sentiero now follows; extreme caution is advised, particularly in wet weather or after snowfall. Before the final ascent, in bad weather, you can reach the Calanca Valley near Valbella via the Alp del Largè. From Bocchetta del Büscenel, the paths winds up through a hollow with scree and boulders, then leads you over small ridges and spurs to the lofty, rocky ridge of Fil de Ciar. The terrain suddenly plunges almost a thousand metres on the right. From the rocky spur, you have a clear view to the west into the vast rock arena of Ganan and the Rifugio Ganan. Over a few tricky sections and stone slabs, which have been made safe with chains, the path leads you to the southern slope of the Piz del Largè, before taking you along the flank of the valley, which is a little less difficult, to the Rifugio Ganan. The modest mountain hut is equipped with everything you need for a simple overnight stay.

From the Rifugio, you cross two streams and, depending on the time of year, also snow fields, which can be precarious. Crossing the following canyon-esque section is only difficult when there is a lot of water or frozen snow. You then slowly gain elevation over boulders and scree travelling southwards. When you reach the cairn at Piz de Ganan, the sudden drop into the Calanca Valley and the view into the circle of countless peaks are striking. A wooden signpost lets you know that you have completed around half of the Sentiero. In the distance, on the opposite slope, you can see the Buffalora hut, which is today’s destination. The exposed, narrow path traverses the sheer drop of the Fil de Dragiva, which is dangerous when there is ice or snow. You are soon looking down into a rocky basin with the heart-shaped Lagh de Calvaresc, which is a great spot to bathe in warm weather. You cross alpine meadows to reach the stone huts of Alp de Calvaresc Sorra. Travelling in a wide arc over the flank of Corn de Golin, over slopes with alpine roses and stone slabs, through sparse woodland and over marshy areas, this challenging stage ends at the serviced Capanna Buffalora hut.