Stage 1 "Via Alta Crio": From Capanna Brogoldone to Capanna Cava | Mountain hiking | Swiss Alpine Club SAC
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Stage 1 "Via Alta Crio": From Capanna Brogoldone to Capanna Cava Capanna Cava 2066 m

  • Difficulty
    T4+
  • Ascent
    7:30 h, 1200 m
  • Descent
    1040 m

Vast plains and steep faces, white-blue-white

Since the nineties in Ticino numerous challenging routes have been marked allowing less experienced hikers to enjoy the beauty of secluded landscapes. These trails often follow paths which were formerly used by shepherds, alpine dairymen, hunters or smugglers. One of the most beautiful and at the same time most useful of these routes is the one from Capanna Brogoldone to Capanna Cava. It offers hardly any technical difficulties as it is mostly on scree fields and gentle grassy slopes, except for some exposed passages. However, the orientation would be difficult without the white-blue-white markings, especially in bad visibility. Thus today we can enjoy a hiking route without worries, which formerly was avoided as it was considered too complicated. Since 2023, the route forms the first stage of the "Via alta Crio".

Route description

Capanna Brogoldone – saddle P. 2270
Leave Capanna Brogoldone (1904 m) northward and ascend in pastures towards the ridge between Piz de Molinera and Pizzo di Claro. Always keeping to the Ticino side of the ridge, hike below P. 2252 to the saddle of Passo di Mem (2191 m). Here a marked trail branches off the ridge and traverses, at first descending, then ascending the depression of Pian del Baitel until the saddle at P. 2270 (where the marked mountain trail continues via Alp di Rossiglion to Landarenca).
Saddle P. 2270 – Alpe d'Örz
Immediately before the saddle P. 2270 you will find the first white-blue marking; now the alpine route begins. Follow the Ria de Ciarin for a moment, then continue northward across the vast scree depressions of Sabi to reach the saddle at P. 2577 visible from afar (also called «Bocchetta Nord del Lago»). In the first metres the descent follows a valley with loose and slippery rubble. On scree and blocks descend northward, from 2500 m on keep to the right and then at ca. 2480 m hike on scree below Rosso di Grav until under Bocchetta di Piöv di Fuori (2479 m). Now follows the most exposed stretch: the traverse of the grassy, steep south-west face of Piz di Campedell (2724 m). From the foot of Bocchetta di Piöv di Fuori descend north-westward until 2380 m to bypass two rocky ribs and then traverse gently ascending the entire grassy slope on a narrow sheep track. At about 2420 m, north of the breathtakingly located Alpe di Cavallo, you reach a shoulder. Now hike much easier to the small lake at the foot of P. 2506 and go around the next rib towards P. 2216. Shortly before the point the markings lead to the right, and south of P. 2195 you hike over to a distinct stone at 2190 m, where you come across the white-red-white marked trail coming from Bocchetta di Pianca Geneura (2367 m). Descend on this trail to Alpe d’Örz (2087 m).
Alpe d'Örz – Capanna Cava
Despite the white-red-white markings the trail on the southern foot of Torent Basso is occasionally rather narrow and exposed. From Alpe d'Örz hike to Alpe della Motta (2239 m), and from there ascend on a faint path to Passo del Mauro (2428 m). The following last descent is also slightly exposed at first, but technically not difficult. Further down the marked path disappears in the scree. It leads up to the uppermost lake of Laghetti di Cava (2107 m) and finally to Capanna Cava (2066 m).

Additional information

Departure point
End point
Time

Capanna Brogoldone–saddle P. 2270 2 h.

Saddle P. 2270–Alpe d'Örz 3 h 15 min.

Alpe d'Örz–Capanna Cava 2 h 15 min.

Difficulty / Material

Presumably the most precarious passage of this tour is the traverse below Piz di Campedell, which should only be risked in dry conditions, and requires sure-footedness and a comfort with heights. Otherwise in this fascinating scree terrain it is primarily the ankles that are tested: the hands are only seldom needed to help with balance.

Waypoints

Passo di Mem (2191 m)

Wide saddle on the ridge between Piz de Molinera and Pizzo di Claro

Various

Website Via Alta Crio with additional information

The Via Alta Crio is a challenging multi-day hike through secluded valleys and over untouched mountains, covering around 22,000 metres in altitude in 10 days over more than 100 kilometres.

 

www.viacrio.ch/tappa1

Author

Marco Volken

Marco Volken is a freelance photographer and alpine journalist. He has co-authored numerous books on the Alpine region, including illustrated books, non-fiction books, hut guides, hiking and club guides, ski touring and climbing guidebooks.

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