Sentiero Alpino Calanca
Overview
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Distance 16 km
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Duration 7 h 30 min
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Ascent 1000 m
Intro
Via the Buffalora Pass to the Nomnom south ridge (well secured stairs), over the alpine pastures of Aion to the Auriglia gorge (secured ladder). Over stone blocks to the di Fora Alp (self-service hut with beverage sales) then a steep descent to the village of Santa Maria.
Description
After ascending through the larch forest and over boulders, you reach the Buffalora Pass at 2,261 metres. One of the few options for descent leads from here via the Alp de Bec to Soazza in the Mesolcina Valley. A path across the flank of the mountain connects the pass to the western ridge of Fil de Nomnom. This passage, which is made safe with steel cables, has views downwards and towards three points of the compass. A steep, sometimes slippery section with wire ropes leads downwards between rock ledges; metal steps help you through this couloir.
There is then an easier path through the hollows and expanses of Alp d’Aion, overlooked by the imposing Piz de Groven. There are inviting places to stop with water along the way. At the dilapidated Aion alpine hut, you can descend to the alm below, whose red hut roofs are visible from miles around. Then come Cauco and, to the south of the Aion arena, the rocky outcrop of Motta del Perdül. The protruding viewpoint offers splendid views: The charming village of Landarenca, which can only be reached by foot or cable car, extends across the slope opposite.
The path takes you upwards through larch and pine forests, then becomes steeper through alder bushes and boulders to a metal ladder in the Auriglia gorge. This is exposed, and you have to climb down backwards into the rocky stream bed. Tread carefully when crossing the stream and, in the early summer, the snow field. A slight climb out of the rift is followed by a somewhat more challenging descent through a mainly wet couloir, which is made safe with chains.
You soon reach the towering rocks of Mottone. To the south: the pass before Piz di Renten, which finally takes you down into the valley. Huge avalanche barriers on the steep slopes of Piz della Molera protect the village of Braggio below. The path runs through the protective structures, just above the tree line. If you don’t want to undertake the long descent to Santa Maria, you can also descend from Cort di Setel or Alp di Fora after Braggio, and take the cable car down into the valley to Avigo.
You continue through meadows and forest to a clearing and Alp di Fora. An easy climb in the mountain forest with blueberries ends with a meadow at Pian di Renten, where your long descent over a thousand metres of elevation begins. A winding path first takes you through virgin forest of fallen trees and moss-covered boulders. The mountain forest lines the route to Santa Maria, which takes you comfortably along the narrow road from the huts at Nadi (1,383 metres).
You’ve made it! This is what most people think when they see the church and fortified tower in Santa Maria. You can look back proudly on three days of hiking. After all, you’ve hiked for more than 20 hours over some very challenging terrain. The Albergo Bellavista next to the parish church is a good place to stop off. It’s worth visiting the fortified tower and the Renaissance coffered ceiling in the church. The postbus takes you back to Bellinzona or San Bernardino via Grono.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Capanna Buffalora
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Santa Maria im Calancatal
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| Direction |
One way
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| Ascent |
1000 m
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| Descent |
2100 m
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| Distance |
16 km
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| Duration |
7 h 30 min
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| Duration back |
7 h 45 min
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| Technical requirements |
Medium
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r... |
| Details | Tour description |
Quick Facts
Route number
