Trans Swiss Trail
Overview
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Distance 25 km
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Duration 6 h
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Ascent 110 m
Intro
At Biasca the valley opens out into a wide long plain: the Riviera. Here begin magnificent rambles along the banks of the Ticino, mostly through riverside forests, often also on a river barrage. At the end, Bellinzona and its three castles.
Description
The hike to Bellinzona is easy but long. Biasca, where the stage starts, is the meeting point of the Blenio valley descending from the Lukmanier pass and the Leventina south of the Gotthard. Just above the train station you will find the foaming St. Petronilla waterfalls which tumble over the rock walls. After a few minutes through Biasca, you reach the Ticino. Following the river embankment, you soon notice a completely preserved artillery structure made of reinforced concrete. Together with other armouries, they formed the western part of the LONA line (LOdrino-OdogNA).
After less than two hours, you cross the Ticino at Lodrino, and the hike continues on the other side of the river. Past an industrial area, the path branches off into a floodplain forest. The highway is close by, but most of the time you don't notice it. After about four hours, the Santa Maria Assunta monastery is visible on a rocky cliff above Claro. Surrounded by chestnut groves, it is an impressive place of silence, prayer and work. The nuns live their faith here in almost complete seclusion. They sell their embroidery, honey and biscuits or restore books. This is how they contribute to the livelihood of their community. Along the way, you can also admire the ‘totems’ of the Via della Pietra project, artefacts from the region's quarries.
One more hour is needed to reach Bellinzona. A short detour to the castles of Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro is worthwhile. They are among the most impressive examples of medieval fortified buildings in the entire region of the alps. With their crenellated walls, towers and gates, these magnificent monuments were declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 2000. The purpose of the fortresses was to block the northern peoples' access to Ticino and to control the tolls and the road towards the Gotthard.
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 |
Biasca
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Bellinzona
|
| Direction |
One way
|
| Ascent |
110 m
|
| Descent |
160 m
|
| Distance |
25 km
|
| Duration |
6 h
|
| Duration back |
6 h
|
| Technical requirements |
Easy
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| Season |
March - October
|
Quick Facts
Route number
