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Stage

87

Cimalmotto > Ponte in Val Formazza

Lenght
16.6
Km
difficulty*
E
Altitude gain*
+
1311
m
-
1417
m
*Cosa vuol dire?

Il simbolo + indica il dislivello positivo (cioè in salita) complessivo della tappa; il simbolo - quello negativo (cioè in discesa).

* What does it mean ?DOWNLOAD GPX TRACK

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50385065
Punto di partenza
Punto d'arrivo
Punto acqua
Struttura ricettiva
Punto interesse

Medium-length stage with good height difference (both to climb and to descend). The first half of the path is, unfortunately, "polluted" by the presence of ski resorts.

The panorama that opens from the suggestive Passo di Bosco is remarkable. After a detour in Swiss territory, we return to Italy, in the beautiful Val Formazza.

Special Notes

Some very short equipped parts in the cross path from Passo Quadrella to Capanna Grossalp, still easy.

Water points are absent from Capanna Grossalp up to Fondovalle.

Beauty
when to go
May - October
Suitable for
Scenery
how to get there
description of the route

After a first stretch on the road, up to the locality of Cava, we take the GTA path that climbs into the woods towards Passo Quadrella (approximately 700 m height difference), without particular difficulties. Once at the pass (2,137 m), a long cross path (with some short sections slightly exposed and therefore equipped with chains. Be careful, especially if wet: you can easily slide) leads us to Capanna Grossalp, where several cable cars arrive. In the valley, we see the village of Bosco Gurin.

From Grossalp, we continue the climb (approximately 350 m height difference) towards the Passo di Bosco without major difficulties, following a ski lift. From the pass (2,323 m), just above Lake Bosco, we enjoy a beautiful view of the nosediving steep valley: we are back on Italian territory. After catching our breath, instead of descending into the valley, we cross slightly uphill towards Passo Della Foglia (2,350 m), dominated to the east by Pizzo Stella (2,688 m).

We face the long descent (approximately 1,100 m drop), initially steep and decisive, mostly in the woods. Once in Fondovalle, the GTA follows the Val Formazza on an almost flat track, keeping the Toce river on our left. Soon we are in Ponte, with its large and historic hydroelectric power plant. If we have time, it is worth going and admiring the Toce Waterfall, just above Sotto Frua.

What to know

In Formazza, also called Pomatt in the local dialect, there is one of the oldest Walser settlements.

The Walser is a population of Germanic origins, settled around the Monte Rosa massif. The lineage is that of the Alemanni, the ancient inhabitants of the Canton of Valais (a region of Switzerland), who in the early Middle Ages due to overpopulation, began to emigrate, settling in various Alpine locations between Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and France.

Thanks to the protection of the surrounding mountains, the proud Walser culture has been able to preserve itself over the centuries: in Val Formazza, the Alps and woods were and still are governed by a community system, so that the various settlements in the valley are assigned community ownership of the territory.

Even the beautiful houses are a distinctive element, characterized by the stone base and the main body all in wood (which in the Alps was almost not used to build houses).


What to see

At the beginning of the 20th century, Val Formazza became the object of the so-called “hydroelectric colonization”, that represented the greatest historical transformation of the Alpine landscape of the area.  

If on the one hand, the process has meant a significant increase in the employment rate in the upper valley (affected by the very low productivity of the land, due to the high altitude), on the other hand, the construction of a dam has a violent impact on the surrounding ecosystem (even in the long-range): therefore the issue of hydroelectricity is delicate and subject to controversy.

 

Even today, the largest lakes in the area are all artificial basins: of the 32 basins, only 14 were built on pre-existing natural basins. Among these stands out the Sabbione one that, with an altitude of 2,460 meters and 26 million cubic meters reservoir, represents the largest hydroelectric basin in Piedmont and the second in all the Alps.

Its waters feed the spectacular Toce Waterfall, which boasts a fall of 143 meters. Its flow is regulated thanks to the Morasco dam: from June to September it is possible to enjoy the show for a few hours a day.

At the top of the waterfall is a historic hotel, founded in 1863, a wonderful example of the belle époque.


what to eat

The Formazza cheese, called bettelmat, heated and served on black bread, is an explosion of taste. This alpine cheese is produced exclusively in the summer, with a minimum maturation of two months.

 

The black bread is also typical of these areas and is often enriched with nuts and raisins.

Very particular is the krosti brie, a typical polenta of the Val Formazza, prepared with white flour.

where to sleep

Campeggio Sagersboden, in the hamlet of Ponte. Tel. +39 388 428 2975

 

Campeggio Pineta, in the Fondovalle hamlet. Tel. +39 389 160 4313 - +39 347 089 4664

 

Campeggio Punta Sabbioni,in the hamlet of Brendo. Tel. +39 339 883 9479 - +39 333 908 9373

 

In Formazza there are several accommodation facilities


How to Reach

Starting point reachable by car.

 

Departure point reachable by bus, starting from the city of Locarno (Canton Ticino) with a change in Cevio.

Here the LINK to check the timetables to Cevio. Here the LINK to check the timetables from Cevio to Cimalmotto.

 

Starting point NOT reachable by train.


“In Formazza we found ourselves in the middle of the Pomattertag, the village festival, surrounded by the cheerful Walser dances with traditional costumes”

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