Normal route from Capanna Corno-Gries, descent westward | Mountain hiking

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Corno Gries / Grieshorn
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- Normal route from Capanna Corno-Gries, descent westward
Normal route from Capanna Corno-Gries, descent westward

Normal route from Capanna Corno-Gries, descent westward (Normal route) Corno Gries / Grieshorn 2967 m

Difficulty

T4+
Ascent

2 h, 750 m
Descent

2 h, 750 m

A lot more than gravel and grit

The trails mostly unmarked and for long stretches lonesome and secluded: the tour from the north to Grieshorn is ideal for lovers of barren landscapes and stone deserts. Also worth remembering is the view of the big Griesgletscher, the beautifully formed summits of the Blinnenhorn range and the many lakes, some of them natural, some artificial. That the schistous and gravelly ground you hike on sometimes runs away under your feet needs to be taken as a challenge.

The scree terrain formerly covered by a glacier between P. 2480 and the saddle (08/2013) © Marco Volken

Corno Gries or Grieshorn, seen from the west (on the ascent to its little brother, Klein Grieshorn). The main summit is the one in the background. At the lower edge of the photo is the saddle between the two Grieshörner as well as the faint path leading slightly ascending through the south face. (08/2013) © Marco Volken

Route description

Capanna Corno-Gries – P. 2480

From Capanna Corno-Gries (2338 m) follow the comfortable trail into Val Corno and towards Passo del Corno until close to P. 2480.

P. 2480 – Corno Gries/Grieshorn

At P. 2480 leave the trail, go left and aim at a distinct ridge, which runs south of the lake towards Ghiacciaio del Corno (well recognisable on the map). Ascend on this ridge, then slightly to the right on fairly stable rubble to a rocky outcrop at about 2560 m. The outcrop can be overcome almost anywhere (especially e.g. at the breach almost exactly south of P. 2477 or on the left-hand side over fairly compact rock). Continue as you like into the small valley immediately east of Klein Grieshorn. Here the glacier has receded massively and can be hiked on without any gear or bypassed on the edge. From the saddle east of Piccolo Corno Gries/Klein Grieshorn (ca. 2810 m) a faint path traverses left (east), then leads up on the south face full of scree, overcomes a steep step and finally disappears. Now hike further eastward through an indistinct small valley and only at the very end of it keep left to the summit plateau of Corno Gries/Grieshorn (2968 m). Alternatively, after the steep step, you can also reach the uppermost west ridge and use this to reach the summit.

Corno Gries/Grieshorn – P. 2464

From the summit take the same route down to the saddle (ca. 2810 m). Ascend about 40 metres of vertical height on the ridge towards Piccolo Corno Gries/Klein Grieshorn, then on a steep terrace made of slippery rubble traverse slightly descending to the left (walking poles are helpful). At the end hike on the ridge or slightly to the right of it to the beautiful knoll at P. 2784. From here a path begins, marked with cairns, which leads down more or less following the border. At a well visible, bright rock formation resembling a ship’s bow at about 2640 m leave the border and descend pathless to the bifurcation at P. 2464.

P. 2464 – Capanna Corno-Gries

At the bifurcation P. 2464 we choose the trail to the right, cross Passo del Corno and walk back to Capanna Corno-Gries through Val Corno. Currently the descent on the Valais side via the wind farm to the bus stop below Nufenenpass is out of the question, as the segment between the wind turbines and the pass road is closed due to the high risk of falling rock.

Additional information

Departure and arrival point

Capanna Corno Gries CAS (2338 m)

Time: Capanna Corno-Gries–Corno Gries/Grieshorn 2 h.

Corno Gries/Grieshorn–Capanna Corno-Gries 2 h.

Difficulty / Material: There is some scrambling over rubble or rock on the ascent to the saddle between the Grieshörner. Bypassing Klein Grieshorn to the south leads briefly over a narrow ridge, then on a slightly steep face with a lot of gravel.

Waypoints

Cornopass / Passo del Corno (2484 m)

Popular passage from Val Bedretto/Capanna Corno-Gries to Griessee, Griespass and Blinnenhorn