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The Greina plateau and its arch

Hiking Trail recommended route

The Greina plateau and its arch

Hiking Trail · Blenio
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  • The arch of Greina
    The arch of Greina
    Photo: Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
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    Prepare to be charmed by the poetry of the alpine tundra. Set your soul free on the Greina plateau, where the torrents flow undisturbed, creating peat bogs and ponds.

    difficult
    Distance 18.2 km
    6:00 h
    474 m
    888 m
    2,372 m
    1,608 m

    You’ll discover a place where the natural treasures will simply amaze you. Crossing stony ground, snowfields and grass dotted with the delicate and vivid colours of the mountain flowers, feelings of the incredible power and beauty of nature are inescapable.

    The Greina plateau, an area between the Cantons of Ticino and Grisons which can only be reached on foot, is almost 6km long and 1km wide. It is located at an altitude of more than 2200m. This circular trail route allows you to admire the features of the landscape which give the region its unique appearance, which shares many of the characteristics of alpine tundra. Here, the many mountain torrents and streams unravel undisturbed, creating amazing pools, oxbows, peat bogs and marsh.

    This itinerary begins in Campo Blenio, easily reached by bus (Autolinee Bleniesi). From here, to gain a little bit of energy, you can benefit from the service of Bus Alpin that, crossing the stunning Val Camadra, bring you to Pian Geirett. From here, in an easy one hour walk you reach the Capanna Scaletta (2205m). Then you climb, over ston-littered ground and snowfields, toward the Greina pass. A brief 600m detour takes you to the Greina Arch, a majestic and symbolic 40m opening which it is possible to cover on foot. Here begins the magnificent Greina Plateau, included among the 'landscapes of national interest' thanks to its exceptional geological and natural qualities. Once you have crossed the plateau, after Crap la Crusch (the Cross Stone) you reach the welcoming sight of the restored Capanna Michela-Motterascio mountain hut, at 2172 m. The panoramic terrace offers a splendid view over Piz Terri, lake Luzzone, and the Sosto and Rosetto summits. From Motterascio you then head downwards towards Rafüsch and you reach, after having crossed a gorge, the Garzott alpage and the stunning Luzzone dam. Finally you return to Campo Blenio with the Bus Alpin, after a trip which remains an enduring favourite of many, and offers exhilaration and satisfaction in equally measure.

    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.

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    Author
    Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
    Update: June 23, 2023
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    2,372 m
    Lowest point
    1,608 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 6.77%Dirt road 9.92%Forested/wild trail 5.93%Path 70.31%Road 2.60%Traces of trail 2.98%Unknown 1.46%
    Asphalt
    1.2 km
    Dirt road
    1.8 km
    Forested/wild trail
    1.1 km
    Path
    12.8 km
    Road
    0.5 km
    Traces of trail
    0.5 km
    Unknown
    0.3 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Casa Lucomagno (Bike Friendly)
    Pensione Centrale, (Bike Friendly)
    Ristorante Casa Greina (Bike friendly)
    Capanna Bovarina (Bike friendly)
    Pineta Saracino (Bike friendly)

    Tips and suggestions

    From end of June / beginning of July until the beginning of October, Bus alpine guarantees a regular transport service from Blenio Valley to this wonderful natural attraction.

    Timetables, offers and more information: www.busalpin.ch

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'714'588E 1'162'552N
    DD
    46.604403, 8.934320
    DMS
    46°36'15.9"N 8°56'03.6"E
    UTM
    32T 494969 5161206
    w3w 
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    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

     

    • Waterproof clothing, light and warm
    • Hiking boots
    • Gloves, sun cap, change of clothes
    • Backpack maximum 5-8 kg
    • First aid kit with penknife
    • Sleeping bag for overnight in alpine hut
    • Torch, sunglasses, sun cream, water-bottle
    • Hiking map/topographic map
    • Compass
    • Camera
    • Food
    • Raincover for backpacks

    Similar routes nearby

    • The ibex goat path
    • Carassino Valley Via Alta
    • The Scaradra Valley and the Historic Pass
    • Historical path number 4 - Historic footpath of the middle and upper Blenio Valley
    • The Sosto Gorge
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    18.2 km
    Duration
    6:00 h
    Ascent
    474 m
    Descent
    888 m
    Highest point
    2,372 m
    Lowest point
    1,608 m
    Public-transport-friendly Scenic Refreshment stops available Insider tip

    Weather at the route's trailhead

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