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Val Piora lakes route

Hiking Trail recommended route Hiking Trail  · Bellinzona and Valleys

Val Piora lakes route

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  • Path of the Lakes of the Piora Valley
    Path of the Lakes of the Piora Valley
    Photo: Bellinzona e Valli Turismo

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    You will find yourself immersed in one of the most enchanting and pristine landscapes in all of Ticino. And you will discover why they call it the paradise of alpine water mirrors. The Val Piora lakes route knows how to surprise the visitor. It will have the same effect on you. While walking, you will discover the Alpe di Piora, an area that offers breathtaking landscapes.

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

    The most fascinating and at the same time practical way to reach the Val Piora lakes is to start from Piotta using the famous and characteristic red Ritom funicular, the starting and finishing point of this unmissable circular path. Its maximum slope of 87.8% makes it one of the steepest in the world. Upon reaching the Piora station, you immediately immerse yourself in one of the most enchanting and pristine landscapes of Ticino, where you can admire the paradise of alpine lakes. Starting from the Piora station, you immediately climb a path that leads up to 2208 m at Pizzo Föisc. There, a well-deserved break awaits you at the Föisc refuge. Then you continue downhill and after passing the Föisc saddle, you arrive at Lake Ritom: the largest mountain reservoir in the Canton. Its waters are used to produce hydroelectric energy. Following the left shore of the lake, in the direction of travel, you advance to the turnoff for Lake Tom, which after a short uphill stretch, is reached at 2022 m. You continue towards Lake Cadagno and cross the Alpe di Piora: the largest alpine pasture in Ticino, as well as a landscape protection area. So why not take advantage, a short distance away, of a break at the renovated Cadagno Hut where you can enjoy a wide selection of local products? After the well-deserved rest, you return towards Piora using the left shore path; at the fork to Fontanella descend towards Lake Ritom and continue along the educational path to the dam.

    Author’s recommendation

    To enjoy the route, we recommend purchasing the official maps from the Federal Office of Topography Swisstopo. Furthermore, the site map.geo.admin.ch offers constantly updated data.

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    Author
    Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
    Logo Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
    Responsible for this content
    Bellinzona e Valli Turismo  Verified partner 
    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 13.37%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
    301 m
    Unknown
    222 m
    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 created to promote the effective and sustainable management of alpine huts in the Ticino territory, particularly waste management. Responsible waste management in the mountains is a matter of common sense. We can all contribute: www.montagnepulite.ch

    Rest stop
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    Today {low} to {high} and {precipitation} of {precipitation_type}
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    Photo
    Video
    Funicolare Ritom - Piora
    B&B Gottardo (Bike friendly)
    Lake Tom
    Lago Cadagno
    Centro biologia alpina, Piora
    Lago Ritom
    Laghetti Audan
    E-Bike charging point - Laghetti Audan
    Rifugio lago Ritom (Bike friendly)
    Agriturismo Altanca (Bike friendly)
    Lago Tremorgio

    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
    • Cap
    • Water bottle
    • Sunglasses
    • Sunscreen
    • Hiking map
    • Camera
    • Food

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated using Italian as the source language

    Similar routes nearby

    • A look over Piora, Leventina and Bedretto valley
    • Lago Ritom Educational Path
    • Strada Alta stage 1: Airolo-Osco
    • The Alps Route of the Bedretto Valley
    • Alto Tremorgio Path
     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 Family-friendly Cableway ascent/descent

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

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