Percorso Blenio–Lucomagno
Overview
-
-
Distance 27 km
-
Ascent 1050 m
Intro
At Biasca half the delta is marked by construction work for the Alpine transit route. In the sunny Valle di Blenio the route climbs through centuries-old cultivated landscape, scented flower-filled meadows and terraced walls, with views of snowy summits.
Description
Regardless of where they are arriving from, passengers at Biasca railway station are always greeted by the Santa Petronilla waterfall. The Ri della Froda river rises on the Alpe di Lago and flows through a stony landscape into the valley, formed by water over the course of millennia. The Santi Pietro e Paolo church towers about 50 metres over the village centre, with a long staircase leading up to it. It’s worth taking a detour, as you will be rewarded by fantastic views over Biasca and the three “Ambrosian valleys” of Blenio, Leventina and Riviera. The church dates back to the 11th century and is one of the most beautiful historical examples of Romanesque architecture in Switzerland. Inside, it houses priceless frescoes dating back to the 12th to 17th centuries.
When passing through the Blenio Valley on this stage, the river Brenno will be your constant companion, albeit it at a distance for the most part. Its banks are asway with chestnut trees, once known as the “poor man’s fruit”. Between the San Pietro church and the village of Motto, you will cross the river for the second time. Isolated houses and smaller settlements really seem to be clinging to the banks. The sun-drenched valley’s terraces are used for agriculture. And, needless to say, the Blenio Valley is just like the rest of Ticino in that every hamlet has its own church. Acquarossa (red water) is named for the nearby springs, where the water temperature is constantly 25 to 26 degrees Celsius. It is said that this bathing and drinking water, as well as the red mud it produces (fango), has medicinal healing properties.
It’s a slow ascent, although you will feel it in your legs. But the landscape is all the more beautiful for it. The odd low-hanging chestnut branch may clonk your cycling helmet along the way. In this area, what little traffic there is is concentrated around the valley floor in Dangio and Olivone, both of which are listed in the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. The views of the peaks and the Cimas mountains of Ticino are nothing short of dreamy. One resembles a much bigger version of Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro. This mountain is the Sosto pyramid of stone, which towers over the Blenio Valley. The sunny valley is also known for its wild orchids. This stage ends in Camperio, where the river Brenno resurfaces, this time under the name of Brenno del Lucomagno.
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 |
Camperio
|
| Ascent |
1050 m
|
| Descent |
110 m
|
| Distance |
27 km
|
| Distance on tarred ways |
27 km
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/cycling-in-switzerland/... |
Quick Facts
Route number
