Sentiero Alpino Calanca | OUR STAGES
Here we provide information about our stages on the Sentiero Alpino Calanca. The route is 45 km long, spanning between San Bernardino (Ospizio) and Santa Maria in Calanca, for a total of 3 stages.
Our Stages
STAGE 1: San Bernardino (Ospizio) - Rifugio Pian Grand
Distance: 14 km
Elevation Gain: 1200 m
Elevation Loss: 840 m
Walking Time: 6h
POINTS OF INTEREST
San Bernardino Ospizio (hostel) - 0min
Rifugio Pian Grand (unstaffed refuge) - 6h
IMPORTANT REMARKS
This stage is rather easy and does not include any technically difficult section. Just make sure you have enough water with you, as no hut is present along the way until Pian Grand.
MEMORIES
We started hiking in the morning from San Bernardino Ospizio, excited and curious for the adventure that was awaiting us. The group immediately split into two: the speed goats and the slow snails… of course I was a snail! A refreshing alpine lake and spectacular views were awaiting us at Rifugio Pian Grand. We later enjoyed an amazing risotto for dinner (thank you Chef Yannick), patiently listened to people singing jodel, stupidly boiled water from the source for useless fear of getting poisoned, and mentally prepared for a sleepless night of snoring melodies.
WORDS OF THE DAY
Maiale con il sale
Mama Bear
Jodel
SONG OF THE DAY
The Shire (LOTR Soundtrack)
STAGE 2: Rifugio Pian Grand - Capanna Buffalora
Distance: 15 km
Elevation Gain: 1300 m
Elevation Loss: 1600 m
Walking Time: 8h
POINTS OF INTEREST
Rifugio Pian Grand (unstaffed refuge) - 0min
Rifugio Ganan (unstaffed refuge) - 5h 45min
Capanna Buffalora (staffed mountain hut) - 8h
IMPORTANT REMARKS
This is the longest stage on the Sentiero Alpino Calanca. It includes a few technical passages (T3 level) equipped with chains and ropes. Moreover, depending on the season, a few snow patches have to be carefully crossed before reaching the famous heart-shaped lake (Lag de Calvaresc). In our case, these sections were never extremely steep, the snow was not frozen nor slippery and it was easy to follow other hiker’s shoe prints. There was only one snow crossing that could have been potentially dangerous, because of a river flowing underneath, but it was equipped with a rope.
MEMORIES
We all needed a long breakfast to recover from the previous night. It was a tough day, full of steep climbs and descents. We stopped for our picknick lunch at Rifugio Ganan, and we couldn’t stop making fun of Yannick’s fashion style while he was putting on his gaiters (gamasce). As we finally managed to cross the snow patches without issues and reached the heart-shaped lake, we took a much needed break… it is said that the water of this lake is somehow miraculous and heals any pain! The last stretch to Capanna Buffalora also seemed never ending… but a very warm welcome and an amazing stay at this beautiful hut was awaiting us!
WORDS OF THE DAY
Papa Bear
Gamasce
STAGE 3: Capanna Buffalora - Santa Maria In Calanca
Distance: 16 km
Elevation Gain: 950 m
Elevation Loss: 2100 m
Walking Time: 7h 30min
POINTS OF INTEREST
Capanna Buffalora (staffed mountain hut) - 0min
Alp di Fora (unstaffed refuge) - 5h 30min
Santa Maria In Calanca (village) - 7h 30min
IMPORTANT REMARKS
The last stage of the Sentiero Alpino Calanca is spectacular but also quite tough, as it again includes technical passages (level T3) equipped with chains and ladders, and a very long and steep descent at the end of the day.
MEMORIES
We waved goodbye at Tiziana and Caterina, the amazing hosts of Capanna Buffalora and started climbing surrounded by the beautiful colors of the forest in the morning light. We were lucky to spot a group of majestic mountain goats, resting along the ridge of a mountain and staring at us from above. After enjoying a picknick break at Alp di Fora, we started our never ending descent towards the end of the trail… while descending towards the valley, the temperature rose, my legs were extremely tired, and my feet felt like burning. As we arrived at the village of Santa Maria In Calanca, we headed straight to the bar, where we celebrated with a much needed victory beer!
WORDS OF THE DAY
Cotto buono
Basta
Walking Direction
The Sentiero Alpino Calanca, as any other thru hike, can be walked in both directions, starting either from San Bernardino or from Santa Maria In Calanca. The traditional and most popular option amongst hikers, also described in the official website of the trail, is to start at San Bernardino Ospizio and to finish at Santa Maria In Calanca, therefore walking from North to South.
We also hiked the trail following this direction, and we would recommend to do so. It was indeed very nice to spend the second night at Capanna Buffalora, which allowed us to properly rest our legs after two days of hiking.
Alternative Start & Exit Points
These are the different places that can be reached by public transports and from which hikers can either access or leave the trail:
San Bernardino (Villaggio)
The town of San Bernardino can also be used as starting or exit point (instead of San Bernardino Ospizio), either to reach or leave Rifugio Pian Grand, located at the end of stage no. 1.
The walking time to/from Rifugio Pian Grand is approximately 3h 45min.
Rossa
The town of Rossa can be used either to reach or leave the trail at Capanna Buffalora, located at the end of stage no. 2.
The walking time to/from Capanna Buffalora is approximately 3h.
Soazza
The town of Soazza can be used either to reach or leave the trail at Capanna Buffalora, located at the end of stage no. 2.
The walking time to/from Capanna Buffalora is approximately 5h.
Braggio
The town of Braggio can be used either to reach or leave the trail. It is indicated at a deviation, approximately half way through stage no. 3, before reaching Alp di Fora. In Braggio, a cablecar allows to descend directly to the town of Arvigo.
The walking time to/from Capanna Buffalora is approximately 6h.
Trail Map and GPX File
Here you can find a map that I customized using AllTrails, showing an overview of our stages along the Sentiero Alpino Calanca. In case the view of the map is not optimal, you can try to re-select the display mode. You can click on the first map title to head to the AllTrails website, where all the waypoints are described.
Additionally, here you can download the GPX file that we used on the trail.