Vier-Quellen-Weg, Stage 3/5

This third stage of the Four Sources Trail begins at the Gotthard Pass. The route leads along the Lago di Lucendro to the source of the Reuss at the foot of the Lucendro Pass and then across it. After an extensive and panoramic high-altitude hike above the Bedretto Valley, you reach the destination for this stage, the Piansecco hut.

The six-hour mountain hike across the Gotthard massif begins near the Gotthard Passhöhe stop. For centuries, the pass was an important north–south route through the Alps. The route soon leaves the traffic behind and reaches Lago di Lucendro. The mountain path follows the shore of the reservoir before climbing through open pastures into increasingly rocky terrain.

At Passo di Lucendro, the ascent becomes more barren. Shortly afterwards, the highest point of the hike is reached near Poncionetto at around 2,540 m. The mountain path then descends gradually through rocky terrain and alpine grassland. This long section requires stamina: over 20 km, the route accumulates around 860 metres of ascent and 950 metres of descent.

Towards the end, the route descends to around 1,920 m before a final short climb leads to Capanna Piansecco. The hut stands at just under 2,000 m above All'Acqua. The hike ends here after around six hours. The nearest stop, All'Acqua, is just under a kilometre away.