From All'Acqua | Ski tour | Swiss Alpine Club SAC

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From All'Acqua (Normal route) Punta di Elgio / Helgenhorn 2834 m

Difficulty

PD+
Ascent

4:30 h, 1220 m
Descent

1220 m
Exposure

N, NE

From All'Acqua the route goes up to Passo del San Giacomo, a col that was widely used in historic times to pass from Val Formazza to upper Leventina and vice versa. At San Giacomo there is a small church beside the border patrol house. From Passo San Giacomo the ascent to the summit is still fairly long, but definitely pretty, as it is mainly on a ridge.

All'Acqua, the starting point of the tour © Massimo Gabuzzi

San Giacomo with the border patrol house and the small church © Massimo Gabuzzi

The small church of San Giacomo © Massimo Gabuzzi

A terrace on the way up to Passo San Giacomo, in the background are San Giacomo and the small church. © Massimo Gabuzzi

Lago Toggia or Fischsee © Massimo Gabuzzi

The knolls of the ridge, on which one ascends. The Helgenhorn summit is in the background. © Massimo Gabuzzi

Light and shadow near the summit of the Helgenhorn © Fabrizio Scanavino

Route description

All'Acqua – Helgenhorn

From All'Acqua (1614 m) descend south-westward to cross the Ticino river on a bridge. Follow the summer trail to Passo San Giacomo (2313 m), initially only slightly ascending in clearings, then in a steep couloir, which brings you up to Alp Val d'Olgia (2063 m). Continue on gentle slopes to the small church at San Giacomo (2254 m) and on to Passo San Giacomo (2313 m). Now ascend some gentle slopes north-westward to reach a terrace south of the border ridge. Then continue in hilly, but only slightly ascending terrain to reach the summit structure of Helgenhorn. Traverse along the rocks of the border ridge to reach a bowl (avalanche risk). Ascend the bowl to the summit, the last stretch mostly on foot.

Descent

On the ascent