Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R79
Chiareggio » Maloja
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5h50 |
15.4 km
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987 m
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784 m
From Chiareggio, a dirt track climbs to Alpe dell'Oro pasture from where there are views of Mount Disgrazia. An old military mule track that still shows signs of having been a cobbled road, perhaps as far back as Roman times, leads to the Muretto pass on the Swiss border. The pass trail leads down into the Val Fuorno valley, past an outwash plain and the Cavloc lake to Maloja.
From Chiareggio (1612m), follow the road through the town and out to Pian del Lupo (1625m). At the crossroads follow the track upwards to Alpe dell’Oro (2010m) and continue into the valley. An old, historic bridleway, still clearly visible in parts, leads on to the Muretto pass (2562m) and the border with Switzerland. (Regione Lombardia) Ahead, the mighty Mount Disgrazia towers upward to reach 3,678m above sea level. In connection with the Septimer pass, the route over the Muretto pass was the shortest way from Chur into the middle Veltlin valley in the Middle Ages. Reference to a cattle raid carried out by Veltliners against the people of Davos in 1387 is a first indication of the intensive use of the crossing. Wine, corn, baskets and crockery were transported from south to north, and cattle and dairy products in the opposite direction. Pass the old military posts, and head along the steep boulder-strewn slopes partly covered with the remnants of snow even in high summer, through the Muretto valley to the Plan Canin. After a few metres of walking into the valley, you will reach a small reservoir whose water is conducted through a tunnel to the Löbbia power station in the Bergell valley. Further into the valley, the trail reaches the “Vadrett del Forno” and somewhat further uphill the SAC Forno Hut. However, our hike leads through the sparse pine woodland to the Cavloc lake, where a good meal can be enjoyed on the banks of the lake in the lovely restaurant. Keep following the trail past the high moorland of “Bosch da la Furcela” to the village of Orden and soon afterwards the Maloja pass road. (Bündner Wanderwege BAW)
Natural and cultural heritage
Alpe dell'Oro (2010m) is in Muretto valley which, together with Val Ventina and Val Sissone, is at the furthermost end of High Valmalenco. This high pasture is a fantastic viewing point for the north face of Mount Disgrazia: visible to the left are the peaks of Pizzo Cassandra, Ventina and Rachele. On the right are the peaks of Vezzeda (3301m), Val Bona (3033m) and Mount Forno, the latter just to the right of the pass of the same name. The Muretto pass (2562m): this ancient pass was used for trade between Valmalenco, Engadina and the Swiss hinterland, (passing through the Settimo and Julier Passes). A trade route went through the pass and caravans of mules took fine wines from Valtellina and turf for roofing from Valmalenco. Its importance as a pass declined, but it was still used by people from Valtellina to travel to Switzerland to look for work, or for smuggling. Muretto valley is dominated from the northeast by the striking peak of Mount Forno (3214m) and a stream runs through it from end to end. As you walk up the pass at an altitude of about 2300m the road is covered by detritus, looking through which it is possible to find samples of minerals. The pass lies to the right of two dips separated by a heap of rubble. This area (between Chiareggio and the pass) is the site of the “Holy Massacre” of 1620, the bloody rebellion fought out between Protestants and Catholics. (Regione Lombardia) Maloja Glacier Mills The 36 big and little glacier mills, some of which have a circumference of 22 metres and a depth of 11 metres, represent a unique group of such geotopes in Europe. About 10,000 years ago, the mighty ice masses covering approximately 800 metres ran over the Maloja pass down into the Bergell valley. A great many glacier crevasses formed, particularly at the rock ledge, through which melted ice dripped down onto the rocky ground below. Through the vortex of the melted ice in which stone powder, also called “Gletschermilch” (glacier milk) and stones had accumulated, these crevasses cut craters into the hard gneiss over the centuries. Maloja Palace Maloja Palace was built in the year 1880, and still makes its distinctive mark on the pass crossing today. Count Camille de Renesse, son of a Dutch noble family, was so fascinated by the landscape on the pass that he wanted to make Maloja into a second Monte Carlo. He had the Maloja Palace and the Schweizerhaus (Swiss house), the two churches and a number of villas built. The building work on the tower and Castle Belvedere started in 1882. It was to be the residence of the Count. After some financial difficulties and later bankruptcy, Count Camille de Renesse died in 1904. The hotel business never really picked up, although it did achieve several good seasons during the Belle Epoque with social high points. Work on Belvedere castle was interrupted and the tower remained standing. Today it is used as an observation tower. (Schweizer Wanderwege)
Useful topographic maps
T 268 Julier ~ Swisstopo (1: 50'000)
Oberengadin 28 (Bergell - Puschlav) ~ Hallwag Kümmerly und Frey AG / 3-259-00887-X (1: 60'000)
Useful guidebooks
Bernina (Guida dei Monti d'Italia) ~ CAI - TCI (ISBN )
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.
Karsten - 2024-08-29
In Moloja I bought a few things at the Latteria (suisse prices…) and stayed at the Camping at the lake. Relaxed place, has a little restaurant and you can take away pizza (picnic at the lake ;)
Karsten - 2024-08-29
I didn‘t go directly to Majola via Passo Muretto but went to Cap. Del Forno. Partly alpine (blue & white) trail but no real challenge (except for long way up and lots of scrambling over rocks). The capanna is above the glacier, helpful staff, nice atmosphere, ample food. Shower 5 CHF. No cellphone signal. No drinking water but in the morning there‘s tea for the way. On most evenings a Steinbock sleeps on the premises. To get down to Maloja the next day I hiked the Panoramico, again some scramvling over rocks but nice views.
Mercredi 26 juin 2019
Je n'ai pas fait cette étape du fait du trop fort enneigement du Passo del Muretto. Je suis allé directement si l'on peut dire à Saint-Moritz via de la marche du stop, du train jusqu'à Tirano, puis par le mythique Bernina Express, où je retrouvai mon copain Thierry. Paysages sublimes, que je recommande.
Rüdiger - 2018-08-25
Ja, Salencia ist eine geniale Idee. Macht Spass zusammen zu kochen, abwaschen und die arbeiten teilen. Werde es wider mal besuchen.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Yes, Salencia is a brilliant idea. It's fun to cook, wash and share the work together. Will visit it again.
OldMac from Hants - 2015-09-03
Telephone for SportHotel is0818243126. If you are heading West to East, this is quite a long way before the Salecina. Drop to the main road. Turn right, and walk through the town to it. Quite charming old style Alpine hotel - and cheap.
Andrea - 2014-09-12
John hat recht: Salecina ist eine tolle Unterkunft in Maloja. Liegt auf halbem Weg zwischen Lago di Cavloc und Maloja, nach der Brücke, nicht zu verfehlen.
Selbstverwaltetes Haus, in dem die Gäste selbst kochen und putzen, gut für viele spannende Begegnungen.
Auch ein guter Ort, um mal ein paar Ruhetage nach langer Wanderung einzulegen.
Reichhaltiges Essen um 19 Uhr, bequeme Betten (2er bis 12er-Zimmer), Duschen und Trockenraum, freies WLAN, Bibliothek und so weiter :)
Automatic translation
[Google]
John is right: Salecina is a great accommodation in Maloja. Located halfway between Lago di Cavloc and Maloja, after the bridge, not to miss. Self-governing house where the guests have to cook and clean, good for many exciting encounters. Also a good place and spend the a few days of rest after a long hike. Rich food by 19 clock, comfortable beds (2 or up to 12-room), showers and drying room, free Wi-Fi, library and so on :)
John from bath - 2014-07-13
The Salecina foundation is the best accommodation in Maloja. It is next to the bridge 10 mins short of Maloja post office, with a coloured pole outside. Cost about 55 half pension in a dormitory, but you have to help with housekeeping jobs.
Clemens - 2013-07-17
Höhenangaben stimmen wohl nicht, der Weg geht konsquent nach oben und dann gehts bis auf 15 hm vor Maloja nur noch runter.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Altitude readings do not agree probably, the way is inevitable upwards and then go up to 15 hm before Maloja only still down.
Daniel - 2011-08-18
The former YH now only accepts groups. Soon it will be torn down to be replaced by an apartment flat. That leaves the Sport Hotel as probably the cheapest (CHF 65). The place is OK. Watch the plants growing on the ceiling of the restaurant. Closed on Monday.
Walk down to a bare rock (5 min South) where you can see the Maloja pass road winding down to the valley
The cheapest accommodation is most probably the youth hostel which is administered by the 'Swiss hotel'. Since it was fully booked, I spent the night in the Sporthotel which is the cheapest hotel in Maloja. They also offer WIFI for 5 SF. There's also a supermarket in Maloja as well as a post office.
murmel - 2010-07-26
Sporthotel Maloja zwar billig (für schweizer Verhältnisse). Der Gastwirt ist aber überaus geschäftstüchtig und nur auf den eigenen Vorteil bedacht.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Sporthotel Maloja is cheap (for Swiss standards). The innkeeper is very business-minded and concerned only about their own advantage.
|
5h50 |
15.4 km
|
987 m
|
784 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.