Hike /Schweiz Mobil
Alpine Passes Trail, Stage 12/43
Cap. CadagnoAirolo
- Distance
- 14.0 km
- Duration
- 4:00 h
- Ascent
- 260 m
- Descent
- 1100 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Fitness
- Hard
- Route type
- One way
01/ Overview
The route
Two exceptional lakes to start with: lake Cadagno, rich in fish and with different water layers, then the dazzling turquoise lake Ritom. On foot or with one of the world’s steepest funiculars down to the Leventina.
The hike begins at Capanna Cadagno at just under 2,000 m, which is also the highest point of the route. The starting point is not served by public transport; the nearest stop, Ronco (Quinto), is around 3.5 km away. The first section follows a mountain trail marked in white-red-white to the natural Lago di Cadagno on the Val Piora plateau.
Shortly afterwards, Lago Ritom lies directly beside the trail. Beyond the two lakes, stretches of woodland alternate with open pastures as the route loses considerable elevation, with only a few intervening climbs. In Altanca, it passes the Osteria and the Church of Santi Cornelio e Cipriano. The long descent then continues through smaller settlements.
Via Brugnasco and Madrano, the mountain trail approaches the valley floor. Towards the end, it passes the Oratorio di Sant'Antonio abate and continues to Airolo. After around 14 km and four hours, the hike ends near the Airolo stop.
02/ Along the route
What's along the way
Where the route climbs and where it descends. Hover the profile to find the spot on the map.
03/ Conditions
Current conditions
What to know before you set off. Closures and snow are re-checked every day.
Airolo - Stalvedro
From 9 Oct 2023 – Until 31 Mar 2027
Wegen der Baustelle des zweiten Gotthardtunnels ist der Weg gesperrt.
Madrano - Pasquéi
From 18 Apr 2024 – Until 5 Dec 2026
Vorübergehend geänderte Wegführung.
Madrano
From 26 Mar 2026 – Until 24 Mar 2027
Unterbrechung der Verbindung aufgrund einer durch den Fluss Canaria beschädigten Brücke.
How we check: Every night we match the route against the official closures and detours from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Any reported closure that touches the route shows up here.
How we check: We look up a live public transport connection from your starting point to the stop closest to the trailhead. If it ends further away, the nearest stop may be a cable car or bus that isn't running right now.
How we check: Snow depth estimated daily at the lowest and the highest point of the route. Estimates: check the situation on site.
04/ Getting there
Getting there
From your door to the trailhead and home again, by train and bus or by car. Computed live from the timetable.
Or from
Outbound
Return
05/ Weather
Weather on the way
Forecast for the lowest and the highest point of the route.
Weather
06/ Trail & landscape
Trail & landscape
Which paths you walk on and the landscape they lead through.
07/ Snow
Snow on the route
Snow depths, new snow and forecast. Estimates: check the situation on site before you set off.
Snow Info
Comparative snow depth is only available from November 1 to June 30.
08/ Export
Take the route with you
Load the track onto your GPS device, print a route sheet for the trail or send the route to your hiking group.
Share
Send the link to friends or your hiking group.
Export GPX File
For hiking apps, GPS watches and navigation devices.
Print Route Sheet
A4 with map, elevation profile, waypoints and emergency numbers.
