ViaGottardo
Overview
-
-
Distance 25 km
-
Duration 6 h
-
Ascent 110 m
Intro
From Biasca, the route leads through the Rivieratal valley, sometimes on one side, sometimes on the other side of the Ticino River. A peaceful hike through alluvial forest and along the riverbank, ending in the middle of the fortifications of Bellinzona.
Description
Biasca on the old Gotthard train line is also the southern portal of the Gotthard base tunnel, the new trans-alpine train link NEAT. Slightly above neighbouring Bodio the trains pass through the 57 km tunnel, which went into full operation in December 2016. It takes just a few minutes to get from the Biasca railway station to the embankment of the Ticino. Hiking along the river is almost effortless. Near Lodrino you change from one side of the river to the other. A huge stone quarry is visible from the path. The quarried granite walls tower high above the Ticino.
Most of the time you won’t even hear the traffic of the motorway or the train track on the hiking path. After a little more than four hours you will spot a rocky outcrop above Claro. This is the convent Santa Maria Assunta. Surrounded by chestnut trees, it has been an extraordinary place of silence, prayer and work since its foundation. Inside, the nuns are dedicating their lives in almost total seclusion to their faith. They sell pieces of embroidery, homemade honey and biscuits and also restore books, all of which benefits the livelihood of their community.
After Claro you walk along an industrial area for a while. Excavators, conveyor belts, and tipper trucks transport stone in and out of a gravel plant. A gigantic crane with six arms follows later. This is a gravity power plant. The idea seems trivial and ingenious at the same time: When the energy need is low, concrete blocks are lifted up by means of renewable energy, and when the energy need is high the process is reversed to generate additional energy, similar to the system of hydropower with a dam and a pumping station. A standard tower of 60 meters can store 35 MWh of energy and supply 5 MW to the power grid. That’s enough for 2,000 households.
About an hour later you reach Bellinzona. The town is located at the narrow section of the valley, on the southern access route to the Gotthard, San Bernardino and Lukmanier passes. It is probably the most Italian town in Switzerland. The "skyline" of the capital of the Canton Ticino with its Lombard character is formed by a powerful stronghold consisting of three of the best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland. It is also a World Cultural Heritage site recognised by UNESCO.
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 |
All year
|
| Theme |
Along castles, Along Water
|
Quick Facts
Route number
