Sentiero Cristallina
Overview
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Distance 13 km
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Duration 5 h 45 min
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Ascent 1750 m
Intro
The stage winds in narrow bends up steep steps to the L. di Robiei reservoir, passing other lakes to reach the modern Capanna Cristallina lodge. The lodge faces the glistening ice masses of the Basodino and much crystalline rock is found in its vicinity.
Description
San Carlo is located at the back of the narrow Val Bavona. The road ends here and this is also the terminus for the postbus line. The path to Capanna Cristallina, the destination for this stage, is characterised by a number of altitude gains. Alternatively, you can take the cable car to Robièi which covers around 900 metres in altitude.
The path itself starts on surfaced road and leads up to the first power plant. The massif is characterised by reservoirs and gullies that run through the rock. You keep encountering shafts and tunnels on the hike. After crossing the Bavona, the wide trail becomes an attractive path with tree roots and large boulders.
After the winding roads you reach Campo, a beautiful hamlet with “rustici”. These typical Ticino stone houses are located on a small open plateau. Characteristic of the Bavona Valley, which was formed by glaciers, is its narrow U-shape with high rock faces to the left and right of the valley. Landslides have littered the land on the valley floor with house-sized cones and boulders. Continuing uphill, you reach the Capanna Basodino SAC hut just before the reservoir, where you might wish to take a break.
A few minutes after leaving the hut, you are standing at the imposing dam of Lake Robièi, and the mighty Basòdino hanging glacier with its shimmering white ridge comes into view. The reservoir is at an altitude of 1,940 metres. The inside of the dam itself can be viewed via a gallery. It takes around 30 minutes to walk via the wall. Despite the power plant, many small settlements further down in Val Bavona are still without electricity.
The lake soon disappears behind the next mountain peak after crossing the dam. A short time later, you are standing in front of Lago Bianco, which is located below the dam of Lago dei Cavagnöö.
It zigzags steeply uphill, and the view of the Bavona Valley becomes more attractive with every metre. You continue past Lake Sfundau with its underground outflow. At an altitude of 2,466 metres, the landscape becomes more alpine, and there are fewer and fewer green spots.
You reach Capanna Cristallina via the stony path. The SAC hut was opened in 2003 after the old one was the victim of a snow avalanche in 1999. If you are lucky, you will be able to see ibexes on the hike.
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 |
S. Carlo (Val Bavona)
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Cap. Cristallina
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| Direction |
One way
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| Ascent |
1750 m
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| Descent |
140 m
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| Distance |
13 km
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| Duration |
5 h 45 min
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| Duration back |
4 h
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| Technical requirements |
Medium
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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Quick Facts
Route number
