Trans Swiss Trail
Overview
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Distance 18 km
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Duration 5 h 20 min
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Ascent 440 m
Intro
The most romantic but steepest section of the Strada alta trail. The old mule trail leads over rocky spurs and through tranquil chestnut forests to the unique open-air steps above Pollegio. A spurt to the finish at Biasca down in the Leventina Valley.
Description
Anzonico is located on the left slope of the Leventina valley at almost 1000 m.a.s.l.. In 1667, an avalanche destroyed parts of the village, including the church. 88 people died. The village was rebuilt in a more sheltered location. From 1850 onwards, Anzonico became increasingly depopulated. Today it has only about 100 inhabitants, and various rustico houses have been converted into holiday homes. At the end of the village, the church towers over the valley. The view of the Bassa Leventina and the mountains opposite, such as Madom Gröss (2741) or Cima Bianca (2612), is fantastic. After just under an hour, you reach Cavagnano. Past the small village, the path turns into a lovely trail. If you are quiet, you might hear deer rustling in the leaves. But since they are well camouflaged, you rarely see them.
After about two hours, you reach Sobrio, the next mountain village. The Vallone gorge follows shortly afterwards, then the long descent to Pollegio, gentle at first, then steeper and steeper, over stony paths and huge rock pinnacles. Through lonely chestnut forests and down a unique exposed staircase, the old mule track arrives in Pollegio four and a half hours later. Now on the other side of the Leventina, you find yourself in front of the Ticino river. The route follows the river for a few minutes and continues towards the stage destination in Biasca, where the valley opens out into a wide, elongated plain.
The church of St. Peter and Paul towers majestically above the village centre and offers a view of the entrances to the three so-called Ambrosian valleys of Blenio, Leventina and Riviera. Built in the 11th century, it is one of the most beautiful Romanesque monuments in Switzerland. In 1513, Biasca was not spared from natural disasters either. In the Middle Ages, the town witnessed one of the most devastating landslides in the history of Switzerland: when the Monte Crenone thundered into the valley, it destroyed many houses, killed 600 people and created a dam. In 1515, it burst under the pressure of the dammed lake and caused severe damage all the way to the Magadino plain.
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 |
Anzonico
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Biasca
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| Direction |
One way
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| Ascent |
440 m
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| Descent |
1150 m
|
| Distance |
18 km
|
| Duration |
5 h 20 min
|
| Duration back |
6 h
|
| Technical requirements |
Medium
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| Season |
April - October
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| More information | https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/wanderland/etappe2.... |
Quick Facts
Route number
