Sentiero Cristallina
Overview
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Distance 13 km
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Duration 4 h 30 min
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Ascent 900 m
Intro
The Val Bavona is marked by steep mountain slopes, wild vegetation, much rock and stone, and 12 rustic hamlets. Of particular note: dwellings built into fissures in the cliffs. Worth seeing: 50m-high waterfall in Foroglio.
Detour / Closure
There are detours or closures along this route, for more information see https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/wanderland/etappe59.01
Description
Bignasco, the starting point, is at the end of the Maggia Valley and the beginning of Val Bavona. Steep mountain slopes and an attractive waterfall with swimming options characterise the place.
Shortly after the start, you walk through the chestnut forest above the Bavona stream, then past Cavergno to the I Mulitt power plant. The moss-covered stones and the small wooden bridge over the Ri di Chignöö are very attractive.
The chestnut tree is also called the bread tree because it used to ensure winter survival in impoverished Ticino. The sweet chestnuts are easy to store and the flour, which contains carbohydrates and is rich in vitamins, could be used to bake bread.
After a short climb via natural stone steps, along old moss-covered drystone walls, and past the sometimes mystical-looking chestnut trees, you reach the first special houses in the Val Bavona on attractive and diverse paths. You can see how the residents of the valley here knew how to make use of nature instead of reshaping it. Shelter was sought under large monoliths, and the spaces under the stone slabs were used as storage rooms, ovens or goat stables and adapted to requirements. The natural roof was sometimes also bricked up.
When you arrive in Foroglio, you are just over halfway there. The little houses nestled around the church and the impressive waterfall around 100 metres high make this village the best-known place in the Bavona Valley.
The path continues to the hamlet of Roseto and then to Sonlerto, through small villages that perfectly match the landscape. The centre of the village of Sonlerto was built among boulders from a prehistoric landslide. In the first instance, for protection but also so as not to take up too much space in the scarce pastureland. “Rustici” is the name for the stone houses in Ticino. Some are old and some are perfectly renovated, and these compete for attention. The gardens are generally very well maintained, with hydrangeas in full bloom.
You soon arrive at the destination in San Carlo. The village was only constructed around 1700. Since winters were not spent in the village back then, houses did not have to be built close together. The San Carlo-Robièi cable car goes up to the Lago di Robièi reservoir from here.
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 |
Bignasco
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|---|---|
| Destination |
S. Carlo (Val Bavona)
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| Direction |
One way
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| Ascent |
900 m
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| Descent |
400 m
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| Distance |
13 km
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| Duration |
4 h 30 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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| More information | https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/wanderland/etappe59... |
Quick Facts
Route number
