Via Calanca
Overview
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Distance 12 km
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Duration 4 h 25 min
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Ascent 900 m
Intro
The lush vegetation of the outer Calanca Valley is characterized by chestnut culture. A mule track leads across wide terraced areas to Santa Maria, offering magnificent views into the valley of Misox. Head down to the Calancasca River and past the gneiss quarry to Arvigo, the valley's main town.
Detour / Closure
There are detours or closures along this route, for more information see https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/route-737/stage-1
Description
The southern alpine village of Grono has the Piz di Renten behind it and the Moesa in front of it, which flows through a glorious meadow area. Located on the southern hillside, the town is surrounded by vineyards and chestnut forests. Stone buildings that are up to 800 years old and attractive wall paintings highlight the Mediterranean charm of the village in the canton of Grisons.
The first of the two stages of the Via Calanca begins in the centre of Grono. You walk past narrow, cobbled streets out of the village and into the forest. Large boulders lie on either side of the old mule track. The ascent to Castaneda passes the old mills of Pisella. The stone ruins are surrounded by centuries-old agricultural terraces and a forest of chestnut trees.
On the smoothed stone slabs of the historic trail, you continue uphill with a view of the Chiesa di Santa Maria, which is more than a thousand years old. The church stands on a distinctive terrace. Together with the Capuchin monastery, the medieval tower, the ossuary and the centuries-old lime tree, it is a reminder of a past when Santa Maria experienced power, prestige and wealth.
Crossing the hillside, you eventually reach the Calanca valley. The dry landscape is impressive, characterised by broom, hawthorn and juniper. The imposing Crap de Maria cliff rises up to the right. Drystone walls line the path down to the lake shore. Behind you, the view sweeps across mountain peaks and ridges, which largely also form the border with neighbouring Italy.
At the Laghet di Buseno, the trail runs through a sleepy hamlet. Above the outlet weir, you can see deep into the Calancasca gorge and the stunning reservoir area surrounded by forest. Following the shore, the trail leads slightly uphill again. Shortly before Buseno, it goes across the deep, stony gorge of the Rià Boleder. The small village on the hillside between rock faces and forest is criss-crossed by countless drystone walls.
The flat path continues on the slope through short sections of forest and over rock avalanches, and later between the wide Calancasca and the road. The impressive gneiss quarry in front of Arvigo is visible to the left. The rock is 300 million years old and has been quarried in the valley for more than a century. It is used in the construction of floors, kitchens, fireplaces, fountains, pergolas, pools and brickwork.
You approach Arvigo, the main town of the Calanca Valley, between wooded rocky hillsides with stunning waterfalls. The village was built on a huge cone of debris from the wild river and is dominated by the Church of San Lorenzo and its high tower. The arch bridge made of stone slabs, which connects the new part of the village with the old, is also an attractive sight.
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 |
Grono
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Arvigo
|
| Direction |
One way
|
| Ascent |
900 m
|
| Descent |
440 m
|
| Distance |
12 km
|
| Duration |
4 h 25 min
|
| Duration back |
3 h 50 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Easy
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r... |
| Details | Tour description |
Quick Facts
Route number
