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Tour of the Riasc Tibetan Bridge

Hiking Trail recommended route

Tour of the Riasc Tibetan Bridge

Hiking Trail · Bellinzona and Valleys
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  • Tour of the Riasc Tibetan Bridge
    Tour of the Riasc Tibetan Bridge
    Photo: Bellinzona e Valli Turismo, Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
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    This pleasant circular walk, which mainly touches the hamlets of Sallo (Olivone), Pinaderio and Aquilesco (Aquila), is easy and presents no particular difficulties. 

    easy
    Distance 6.2 km
    1:50 h
    185 m
    185 m
    1,039 m
    865 m

    It is appreciated by both bikers and hikers, as well as by the inhabitants of the region for a simple and pleasant walk out of town.

     

    The route is favoured not only for the beauty of the places it passes through, but also for the numerous points of interest along the way. These include four votive chapels and an oratory from the 19th century, typical dry stone walls, rustic settlements and, last but not least, objects of natural and scenic interest.

     

    Departing from Olivone, in just under a kilometre, one walks through the pleasant Solario and Sallo quarters following the demarcations of the red and white path and then finds oneself in broad meadows before the forest. A short, slightly steeper section leads to the Tibetan bridge, opened in April 2022.

    Built by the Gruppo Restauri Blenio (Blenio Restoration Group), the structure is more than 70 metres long and has a walkway width of just under one metre and connects the villages of Sallo and Pinaderio.

    It is said that already in the 19th century and earlier, this path, once a mule track, was used by the region's ancestors to reach the Garzotto, Motterascio and Scaradra alps with their cattle, and also to transport dairy products in the special cadoles that rested on the strong and mighty shoulders of the farmers.

    Once over the bridge, perhaps with some trepidation, on a wide and pleasant forest path, you reach the typical hamlet of Pinaderio and just below Ponto Aquilesco, hamlets of the former municipality of Aquila that mainly contained secondary residences and temporary dwellings of farmers.

    In the Pinaderio area, there was a quarry from which stones were extracted, transported to the cantonal road by cableway and then to the lime kilns, one in Dangio (in operation during the First World War until the 1930s) and the other between Aquila and Olivone.

    From Aquilesco, one slowly returns northwards following the Basso 2 trail, which leads through dense woodland at times bordering the cantonal road to Concherio and then, overlooking the imposing Sosto, to Olivone to end the route.

    Olivone offers its visitors numerous churches and the "Cà da Rivöi" museum, which presents richly valuable exhibits and collections.

    Author’s recommendation

    It is recommended to start from Olivone or Pinaderio where ample parking spaces are available.

    The red-and-white path across the bridge connects the Sosto paths towards Greina, Val Camadra, Val di Campo and the Luzzone area to the north and towards Val Soi to reach the Adula Huts and, for experienced hikers, the majestic Adula peak, at 3,402 m, the highest peak in Canton Ticino.

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    Author
    Bellinzona e Valli Turismo 
    Update: May 24, 2024
    Difficulty
    easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    1,039 m
    Lowest point
    865 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 23.92%Forested/wild trail 18.42%Path 35.71%Road 21.92%
    Asphalt
    1.5 km
    Forested/wild trail
    1.1 km
    Path
    2.2 km
    Road
    1.4 km
    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    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.

    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

    Start

    Olivone
    Coordinates:
    SwissGrid
    2'715'142E 1'154'176N
    DD
    46.528972, 8.939452
    DMS
    46°31'44.3"N 8°56'22.0"E
    UTM
    32T 495356 5152824
    w3w 
    ///relieves.ferried.tickles

    Destination

    Olivone

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'715'142E 1'154'176N
    DD
    46.528972, 8.939452
    DMS
    46°31'44.3"N 8°56'22.0"E
    UTM
    32T 495356 5152824
    w3w 
    ///relieves.ferried.tickles
    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

    • Historical path number 4 - Historic footpath of the middle and upper Blenio Valley
    • The Sosto Gorge
    • The Lucomagno cheese route Camperio - Leontica
    • Camperio - Dötra - Anvéuda
    • Carassino Valley Via Alta
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    6.2 km
    Duration
    1:50 h
    Ascent
    185 m
    Descent
    185 m
    Highest point
    1,039 m
    Lowest point
    865 m
    Round trip Family-friendly Flora Fauna

    Weather at the route's trailhead

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