Bedretto: High-altitude lakes and alpine trails

Bedretto is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Ticino and belongs to the Airolo subdistrict and the Leventina district. For travelers, the landscape is shaped above all by Val Bedretto: this typical U-shaped alpine valley connects a green valley floor with wooded slopes and alpine terraces. Rocky peaks rise in the upper reaches. The landscape shifts between open valley views and alpine elevations.

Mountain pass road and finding your way through the valley

The road over Nufenen Pass connects Val Bedretto with Val Goms and is open to traffic in summer. As road conditions vary with the seasons, check them before setting out. You can reach BedrettoLab from Airolo on bus 112 towards All’Acqua, getting off at the “Bedretto, Bivio per Ronco” stop. Check your route and seasonal bus services before travelling. The hiking trails in Val Bedretto are also well signposted; signage and trail conditions may change due to maintenance and seasonal conditions.

Mountain lakes and hikes

The Laghetti di Corno Gries are located above Val Bedretto, at the foot of the pass of the same name. The summer mountain hike starts at Alpe di Cruina, passes Capanna Corno Gries SAC and reaches two lakes at elevations of 2,477 and 2,485 metres. These elevations make clear that the tour’s destination lies in a high-alpine landscape.

Another hike leads to Laghetto delle Pigne. The trail starts in All’Acqua, passes the new Piansecco hut and can return to All’Acqua via a different route. The route is listed as gaining 664 metres in elevation and taking a maximum of two hours; its difficulty is rated as negligible. Actual walking time depends on conditions and your personal pace. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Capanna Piansecco is also on the Four Springs Trail. Since 2012, this trail has connected the cantons of Uri, Graubünden, Ticino and Valais and leads to the sources of the Rhine, Reuss, Ticino and Rhône. The hike to Laghetti di Corno Gries and the long-distance trail offer different points of reference for planning your trips; their routes should not be confused.

Alpine pastures, winter excursions and the history of the landscape

The Strada degli Alpi della Valle Bedretto runs between Airolo-Pesciüm and Ronco at an elevation of about 1,700 to 1,800 metres, passing through numerous alpine pastures. It is currently listed as closed; check its current status before planning to use it. In winter, ski touring with skins and snowshoe hikes are suggested activities in Val Bedretto. These include an ascent of Pizzo Cristallina at 2,911 metres. Winter routes depend on snow and avalanche conditions.

The landscape also tells of natural processes from the past: during the Ice Age, the Gries Glacier flowed from Valais over the Cornopass at 2,485 metres into the upper reaches of Val Bedretto. Another notable feature is the Gries Reservoir at 2,386 metres. Its water is channelled through pressure pipelines across Val Bedretto to Lake Maggiore and forms part of the Maggia power plants system.

BedrettoLab and cultural attractions

ETH Zurich’s underground BedrettoLab is located in Switzerland’s longest natural rock tunnel. ETH offers public guided tours in collaboration with the Sasso San Gottardo Museum; dates depend on the tour schedule. A guided tour gives you the chance to observe geological phenomena up close. The route is 4.5 kilometres long, proceeds briskly over uneven terrain in a partially lit rock tunnel and requires you to carry a 4.5-kilogram self-rescue device. Check dates and requirements before booking.

The Chiesa Santissima Martiri maccabei is dedicated to Saint Eusebius and was first mentioned in the 13th century. It was demolished in 1594, 1634 and 1695, and rebuilt in the same location each time. In Cioss Prato, the Grotta dei Minerali is a themed museum suitable for families. Visitor access is available only when the Buvette in Cioss Prato is open; check its opening hours before your visit.

Alpine cheese when the facility is open

When open, the still-active Alpeggio di Cristallina allows visitors to see the cheese cellars. You can buy fresh cheese directly from the alpine farm operator there. Access depends on the alpine pasture being open, so it is advisable to plan your visit only after checking opening hours.

Discover more destinations: Dalpe, Anzonico, Airolo, Prato, Quinto Ti, Giornico, Faido, Bodio Ti

For the overview of the wider area: Leventina.