Zwischbergental / Passo di Monscera, ANDOLLA-WEISSMIES, ALPI PENNINE
Key to symbols
Stage point (start or end of stage)
Intermediate accommodation possibility
Summit
Pass
Town, village
Other locality
Catering
Doctor
Chemist
Bakery / grocery
Hardware / sports shop
Post
Bank / cash dispenser
Train
Coach
Taxi
Open automobile access
A
Tarred or paved road
B
Dirt track
C
Mule trail
D
Mountain trail
E
Equipped trail (cables, ladders)
F
No trail
Stroll / tourism (broad, non-exposed trail)
Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
D7
Zwischbergen » Alpe il Laghetto
|
6h00 |
15.5 km
|
977 m
|
418 m
This is an interesting route on easy trails across the upper part of Bognanco Valley. Leave Zwischbergen heading eastward to the Passo di Monscera pass, where the border into Italy is crossed. Clear trails cross plains and pastures and some thick woods. The trail becomes unclear towards the Alpe il Laghetto hut.
From Zwischbergen, the trail leads for a short while out of the valley to then cross the Grosse Wasser stream. The mountain-hiking trail leads up through the Härd clearing into the little Kapänz side valley. The Pussetta alpine stables can be seen on the first hill. This is where the steep climb to the Monscera pass begins, and where the trail also crosses the national border into Italy. (Schweizer Wanderwege)
From the Monscera pass the trail heads down, circling Lake Monscera, towards Alpe di Micalcesti, and then cutting across a mountainside, about halfway up, to the Gattascosa hut. It circles Lake Ragozza and continues to climb to the hamlet of San Bernardo. The trail becomes fainter as it then turns decidedly south west, about halfway up the slope, past a number of high pastures, and then begins to climb again to Alpe Vallaro (Marigonda Bivouac), 40 minutes from the highest hut, the Alpe il Laghetto hut, the end of this stage. (Regione Piemonte)
Natural and cultural heritage
The Bognanco hot springs, known for their healing properties, were discovered in 1863 by a young shepherdess who was amazed at the water’s unusual taste. The village priest bought the land and began bottling the water for sale. The bottling process was mechanised in 1928. There are a number of springs, all naturally sparkling: Ausonia, San Lorenzo and Gaudenzia, and each has different healing properties. At Bognanco there are two important events in the year: in July, the Sagra del Formaggio Nostrano (the local cheese festival), and on the first Sunday in September, the blueberry festival, the Sagra del Mirtillo. The Monscera pass was much used by smugglers in centuries gone by. The Swiss troops from the Valais came through the Bocchette di Gattascosa pass in search of new lands to conquer. (Regione Piemonte)
Other long-distance trails and alternative routes
From S.Bernardo it is possible to climb to D'Azoglio peak, Verosso peak and Pizzo Pioltone peak. Stage 245 of the GTA route leads to S. Bernardo da Varzo.
Useful topographic maps
274T Visp ~ Swisstopo (1: 50'000)
Aletsch - Goms - Brig - Simplon ~ Hallwag Kümmerly und Frey AG / ISBN 3-259-00821-7 (1: 60'000)
11 Domodossala e Val Formazza ~ IGC (1: 50000)
Useful guidebooks
L'ossola e le sue Valli - P.Bossi, T.Valsesia ~ (ISBN 1988)
Escursionismo in Villadossola e Val Formazza-Crosa Lenz, P., Frangioni G. ~ (ISBN 1987)
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Itinéraire réalisé de Riale (D1) à MontCenis (D34) du 19/08 au 12/09/23.
Chemin parfaitement balisé et arrivée dans une vallée italienne accessible en voiture donc très prisée.
Au Refuge Gattascosa, beaucoup de passage, excellent accueil et repas. Descente facile jusqu'au Refuge San Bernardo. A partir de là le chemin n'est pas très clair. Le plus simple : rejoindre la route, prendre à droite vers la chapelle, puis 1er chemin à droite, puis suivre LA GOMBA au début (il y a beaucoup de chemins dans tous les sens). Très beau chemin jusqu'au refuge Marigonda (non gardé, plusieurs bâtiments avec sanitaires, cuisine, chambres, électricité... très propre). Le refuge de l'Alpe di Laghetto est visible d'en bas (compter environ 30 minutes pour y monter, accueil très agréable, Wifi)
vaeltava tohtori - 2014-06-08
I got totally lost between Zwischbergen and Alpe Laghetto. Finally when I got there ( Alpe Laghetto) it was closed ( July midweek 2 years back). Winterroom open and I stayed in there.
Andreas Schmeller - 2013-10-08
Bei geschlossenem Rif. Gattscosa kann man auch knapp 1h unterhalb (Richtung Alpe Laghetto) im Rifugio San Bernardo übernachten.
Schöne Gipfelmöglichkeit: In San Bernardo am rechten Ende des Parkplatzes den Pfad Richtung Westen, in einer knappen Stunde auf den Cima Verosso (neu markiert). Abstieg vom Gipfel Südwest in den Passo Oriaccia und ausgeschildert weiter Richtung Alpe Laghetto.
Automatic translation
[Google]
At closed RIF. You can stay well less than 1 h below (direction Alpe Laghetto) in the Rifugio San Bernardo Gattscosa.
Nice Summit way: in San Bernardo at the right end of the car park the path West, in a tight hour on the CIMA Verosso (newly marked). Descent from the Summit of Southwest in the Passo Oriaccia and signposted towards Alpe Laghetto.
Mountain Girl - 2012-10-25
Rif. Laghetto is cozy small hut, run by two charming Italian guys. Splendid, isolated location. I loved my stay here!
MartineAb - 2011-08-06
Etape très agréable à Zwischbergen : dortoir et sanitaires tout à fait corrects... et surtout excellente cuisine de la "patronne" (qui n'a rien d'une matronne
Automatic translation
[Google]
Step nice to Zwischbergen: sleeping, washing quite correct ... excellent cuisine and especially the "boss" (which is not a matron
Dans le sens Zwichbergen - Alpe il Laghetto
Belle variante possible : A partir de Alpe di Laghetto, on peut aller directement au refuge de Gattascosa sans descendre à Marigonda (Bivacco fermé) en passant par le lac Oriaccia. Contourner le lac et monter direction nord-ouest au Passo di Oriaccia, puis B.tta Gattascosa avant de redescendre sur le refuge Gattascosa où l’on retrouve la VA.
- Avant d’arriver à Zwischbergen, prendre le petit sentier à droite qui monte à Bord, où un panneau indique ‘Restaurant taxi 5minutes.’
Automatic translation
[Google]
In the sense Zwichbergen - Alpe Laghetto it
Beautiful possible variant: From Alpe di Laghetto, you can go directly to the shelter without going to Gattascosa Marigonda (Bivacco closed) via Lake Oriaccia. Around the lake and go northwest to the Passo di Oriaccia and B.tta Gattascosa before returning to the refuge where we find Gattascosa VA.
- Before reaching Zwischbergen, take the small path to the right that goes to Edge, where a sign reads 'Restaurant 5minutes taxi.'
|
6h00 |
15.5 km
|
977 m
|
418 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.