Sentiero Cristallina

The Sentiero Cristallina links Bignasco in Valle Maggia with Airolo in Val Bedretto. Between them lie steep mountain slopes, a waterfall on a village outskirts, crystalline rock, Alpine lakes/reservoirs, idyllic alps and remote hamlets.

From the Bignasco, Posta stop, the route initially follows hiking trails through the wooded valley floor of the Val Bavona. Small settlements punctuate the long opening section; Foroglio and Sonlerto provide striking highlights before San Carlo is reached. A shorter section runs outside the marked hiking trail network.

Beyond San Carlo, the major ascent begins. The trail leaves the forest, reaches the Capanna Basodino and skirts Lago di Robièi, a reservoir at the foot of the Basodino Glacier. From there, a mountain trail takes over. It continues to climb between open slopes, lakes and rocky terrain towards Passo Cristallina. At around 2'570 m, this is the highest part of the tour; the Capanna Cristallina stands directly on the pass.

The long descent leads via Nante to Airolo and ends near the stop of the same name. At 43 kilometres, with around 3'000 metres of ascent and approximately ten hours of hiking, this valley crossing is a long and demanding undertaking.