Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R75
Rifugio Schiazzera » Tirano
|
3h20 |
8 km
|
0 m
|
1540 m
From the Schiazzera hut, the path downwards is initially a trail, then a military mule track and then a dirt track to Prà Fontana pasture. The track narrows after that and ends at the hamlet of Baruffini, where buckwheat and rye were once grown (bus service), and meandering through Valtellina vineyards, the trail takes the walker into Tirano (train, state road 38).
From the Schiazzera hut (2079m) a steep, paved road, used as access to the hut, leads down. When it hits the track from the bottom of the valley, follow that track for about 100m to a road, where signs indicate Alpe Sovo (1727m). From there, there are excellent views of the Valtellina valley below and of the peaks above. Continue along the track until signs indicate Prà Fontana (1216m). Follow the track down to the road from the bottom of the valley and follow the road for about 800m to a trail that leads downwards through carefully tended chestnut orchards at I Molini (913m). A bridleway then leads upwards amongst fields of buckwheat to the hamlet of Baruffini (792m). Past the hamlet, follow the signs near the cemetery to the bridleway that leads down to Tirano (429m). The track cuts through terraced vineyards and affords great views of the town below. (Regione Lombardia)
Natural and cultural heritage
Pra Fontana, typical hamlet situated on sunny slopes, is no longer popular with families for holiday homes the way it once was. Baruffini (792m), part of Tirano administrative area, is on the sunny southern slopes of Mount Masuccio, in an area where buckwheat and rye were once grown. Evidence of this still exists, in the shape of retaining walls built to support the small, terraced fields used. Below Baruffini, vineyards extend all the way to Valtellina, again on terraces supported by drywall structures, fruit of much backbreaking effort on the part of men who had literally to tear the soil from the mountain with their bare hands. In the '50s and '60s the area was rife with smuggling (sugar, coffee and cigarettes) along treacherous paths, from Viano (Switzerland) to Roncaiola and Baruffini, having got past the border post at Sasso del Gallo. Tirano (428m): this village was already inhabited in ancient times. It lies at the centre of an historic crossroads at the entrance to Valposchiavo, meeting point of the cross-alpine route through the Bernina pass and the main artery towards Sondrio and Milan in one direction and upper Valtellina in the other. On 29th September 1504 the virgin is said to have appeared at the site upon which the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin was built. This is the most beautiful example of renaissance architecture in Valtellina. Also on the square of the Basilica are the Ethnographic Museum of Tirano and the little church of Santa Perpetua (11th century), with an ancient xenodochium containing medieval frescos. In the historic centre there are remains of the fortifications that once stood with the old city gates, -- Bormina, Milanese and Poschiavina – the castle of Santa Maria and a series of mansions that belonged to the nobility of the time. The little red train from Bernina ends its route here. (Regione Lombardia)
Other long-distance trails and alternative routes
The Via Alpina trail follows the same route as the Sentiero Italia trail.
Useful topographic maps
676, 94 ~ Kompass (50000)
211 ~ Multigraphic (25000)
Websites relative to natural and cultural heritage
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.
Claude - 2022-07-21
Pour info il n’y a pas de bus à Baruffini. Descente dans les vignes jusqu’à Tirano
Vendredi 21 juin 2019
Une belle descente, même si nous nous sommes un peu fourvoyés lors de celle-ci (balisage pas top); après, on évite de remonter et on fait des variantes qui rallongent! Titano mérite la visite.
Hébergement à l'hôtel Corona, près du centre, pas cher (DP 64€, bière comprise).
You will arrive in Tirano early afternoon. Ask the tourist office at the station to call Lori. Then go to Lori's (she will speak Italian or French), through the railway tunnel 10 minutes walk, and put down your sack there. Spend the rest of the day visiting the Palazzo's in the old town.
Berta - 2018-06-19
In Tirano nette Unterkunft: B&B Lori, Via Ragazzi del 99 n 12. Tel.: 00393204296065. Freundlicher Empfang. 10 Minuten vom Bahnhof entfernt.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Nice accommodation in Tirano: B & B Lori, Via Ragazzi del 99 n 12. Tel .: 00393204296065. Friendly welcome. 10 minutes from the train station.
John from bath - 2014-07-13
The direct way from Rif Schiazzera to Poschiavo is 711m up, 1740m down, 23.1 km, about 7 hours. It is signed and marked but not much used. It leaves the route to Tirano at Alpe Ghiaccia. There are a few fallen trees to scramble over, but keep following the signs to San Romerio. In the other direction, the signs have the small place names.
Elisabeth - 2014-03-18
Après le refuge Schiazzera, le sentier est très dégradé.
Pour ceux qui randonnent en complète autonomie, je signale qu'on ne trouve pas de cartouches de gaz à Tirano (!) qui est pourtant une grande ville. Heureusement, on en trouve au village de Poschiavo, à la "ferramenta" Yenny.
Automatic translation
[Google]
The refuge Schiazzera the trail is very deteriorated. For those who are trekking in complete autonomy, I note that we can not find a gas cartridges to Tirano (!) Although this is one big city. Fortunately, we find the village of Poschiavo, the "ferramenta" Yenny.
There's a shortcut to avoid going down to the valley. The shortcut goes directly from Rif. Schiazzera to Poschiavo on a hiking path which is the destination for the next day trip. More details are drawn on the Via Alpina map at Rif. Schiazzera. However, the hiking path is a kind of overgrown. Sometimes you have to climb over trees.
Instead of staying in Poschiavo, you can continue your hiking trip to Selva. There's an accomodation which also offers a mattress for hikers. Also the food was really good!!!
More Information:
http://www.selva-pensione-ristorante.ch/
+41 (0)81 844 07 46
murmel - 2010-07-26
Weg ab Schiazzera Richtung Tirano, Höhe 2100 bis 1800 m im Juli 2010 wirklich sehr zugewachsen: Bäume, Sträucher und mehr. Wir würden _jetzt_ einen Weg von der Hütte Schiazzera direkt auf der Fahrstraße Richtung Tal nehmen.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Schiazzera direction away from Tirano, height 2100 m and 1800 m in July 2010 really overgrown. Trees, shrubs and more We would take directly _jetzt_ a path from the hut Schiazzera on the driveway towards the valley.
|
3h20 |
8 km
|
0 m
|
1540 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.