Alpine Passes Trail

The second stage of the Alpine Passes Trail outside Switzerland begins at the Rifugio Margaroli on lake Vannino. Situated at 2194 m. a.s.l., the hut was built by volunteers in 1980. The hiking trail leads to the right around the reservoir. After about half an hour you reach Alpe Curzalma, where several streams meander across. Soon after, the path steepens. Before Scatto Minoia, you have to overcome a scree passage. The pass is reached at Bivacco Conti at 2600 metres. The panorama of the summits is magnificent and includes the Albrun, Grampiel and Rothorn peaks.

You now descend some 400 metres in altitude. Passing small lakes and streams that provide a habitat for frogs, you soon reach the Alpe Forno Inferiore. Here, the trail branches off towards the Albrun pass and the Swiss border. Just before reaching the pass, you have a great view of the two lakes further down: the Lago di Devero is located just above the Alpe Devero, which is part of the oldest nature park in Piedmont. Once on the pass, after approx. three and a half hours, about half of the hike is completed. A few minutes later you can take a break at the Binntal hut. It is located in the Binn landscape park, a regional nature park of national importance with natural and agricultural areas featuring a high level of biodiversity.

One thing that catches the eye on the descent: the white hills and peaks. This is the famous white dolomite marble of the Binn valley, which has become embedded in the Graubünden slate. It is famous for its mineralisation, in which a worldwide unique variety of rare minerals has been found. You arrive at the Halsesee lake after about an hour on beautifully laid-out paths and trails. Situated on a small plateau, it is ideal for cooling off, because it takes another hour or so to reach Imfeld. Here you will find a café and the last postbus stop. Passing through the small hamlet of Fäld, the final descent leads to Binn, where the long hike from Italy back to Switzerland ends.