41746144

Path of the Piora Valley lakes

Hiking Trail recommended route

Path of the Piora Valley lakes

Hiking Trail · Bellinzona and Valleys
Logo Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
Responsible for this content
Bellinzona e Valli Turismo Verified partner 
  • Path of the Piora Valley lakes
    Path of the Piora Valley lakes
    Photo: Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
Hint

Explanation

Selected alternatives for you

    Prepare to be immersed in one of the most beautiful and immaculate landscapes anywhere in Ticino. And you'll soon discover why they call it the paradise of alpine pools. The Val Piora lakes path always amazes its visitors and it is guaranteed to charm you, too. While on the walk, you'll discover the Piora alpage, an area which spoils you with the quality of its breath-taking panoramas.

     

     

    moderate
    Distance 15.9 km
    5:30 h
    778 m
    780 m
    2,196 m
    1,782 m

    The most impressive but also the most practical route to reach the Val Piora lakes is from Piotta, by taking the famous and stunningly picturesque Ritom funicular, both the start and finish point for this unmissable walking loop. The 87.8% maximum slope of the funicular puts it among the very steepest in the world. Once you reach Piora station, you are immediately catapulted into one of the most beautiful and pristine landscapes anywhere in Ticino, and where you get the chance to admire a true paradise of alpine lakes. Starting from the Piora station you climb upwards along a path taking you to the 2208m of Pizzo Föisc. There you can have a stop at the Föisc mountain hut. Then you continue downhill, after passing the Föisc cleft, reaching Lake Ritom, the largest mountain reservoir in the Canton, whose waters are used to produce hydro-electric power. Walking along the left side of the Lake (in the direction of travel) you carry on until the side-route to Lake Tom which, after a brief uphill section, reaches 2022m. The path continues towards Lake Cadagno, crossing the Piora alpage, the largest in Ticino and a protected natural reserve. Why not take advantage of the stunning Capanna Cadagno, it's nearby and has only just been renewed. A great stop to sample a wide range of local produce. After your rest, return to Piora using the path on the left bank; at the fork for Fontanella descend in the direction of Lake Ritom and continue on the educational path to the dam.

    Author’s recommendation

    To explore the route, we recommend buying the official maps of the Federal Office of Topography Swisstopo. In addition, the following website map.geo.admin.ch offers constantly updated data.

    Profile picture of Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
    Author
    Bellinzona e Valli Turismo 
    Update: February 08, 2023
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    2,196 m
    Lowest point
    1,782 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 13.38%Dirt road 13.34%Forested/wild trail 8.52%Path 61.46%Road 1.88%Unknown 1.39%
    Asphalt
    2.1 km
    Dirt road
    2.1 km
    Forested/wild trail
    1.4 km
    Path
    9.8 km
    Road
    0.3 km
    Unknown
    0.2 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    B&B Gottardo (Bike friendly)
    Rifugio lago Ritom (Bike friendly)
    Agriturismo Altanca (Bike friendly)

    Tips and suggestions

    Montagnepulite: This project was born to promote an effective management and sustainable use of mountain huts in Ticino, and in particular the litter management. The responsible management of litter in the mountains is a matter of common sense. We can all contribute: www.montagnepulite.ch

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'694'533E 1'153'610N
    DD
    46.527114, 8.670763
    DMS
    46°31'37.6"N 8°40'14.7"E
    UTM
    32T 474749 5152668
    w3w 
    ///spades.releases.signs
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    •  Hiking boots
    • Sun cap
    • Water-bottle
    • Sunglasses
    • Sun cream
    • Hiking map
    • Camera
    • Food

    Similar routes nearby

    • A look over Piora, Leventina and Bedretto valley
    • Lago Ritom Educational Path
    • La Strada Alta tappa 1: Airolo-Osco
    • The Strada degli Alpi of Bedretto Valley
    • «Highway» to Tremorgio
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    15.9 km
    Duration
    5:30 h
    Ascent
    778 m
    Descent
    780 m
    Highest point
    2,196 m
    Lowest point
    1,782 m
    Public-transport-friendly Round trip Flora Fauna Cableway ascent/descent Family-friendly

    Weather at the route's trailhead

    Statistics

    • Content
    • Show images Hide images
    Features
    Maps and trails
    Nothing selected - click and drag in the elevation profile to zoom
    Distance
    Duration
    Ascent
    Descent
    Elevation profile