Round Tour to Lago di Prato above the Leventina Valley

Sunday September 13th -- Every day of our 10-day vacation has provided us with ideal hiking weather, but we do need a break in between. So after two days of rest, we planned a particularly long hike for Sunday, 5+ hours. We had many options to choose from on our long list of hikes we still want to do, but there are currently still too many people in the mountains all over the country, so it is hard to select a particular trail where the bus isn't already full, or where you have to wait too long for a cable car.

We made a good choice by going to North Ticino near Airolo, riding the large cable car to Pesciüm Alp (only about 15 people) and hiking up to three lakes in the mountains along the West side of the Leventina Valley. As the hiking trails in this region are on the West and North side of the mountain, it's a hike we didn't want to leave for too late in the season, when the sun barely makes it past the high peaks. But we had way more sunshine than expected, and even though the trail up to the lakes was overgrown and WET with morning dew, the lovely Lakes Lago di Ravina and Lago di Prato were well worth the effort to get there. Not to mention the spectacular views of the Gotthard Massif and the Damma Glacier to the North...

Although there were a good number of people (mostly locals speaking Italian) at the apparently popular Lago di Prato where we spent an hour at lunch time (we assume there must be a road for a good way up the mountain), we encountered only few people otherwise along the almost 17-km trail. The hills are covered in wild blueberry bushes, now turning red (too soon for yellow larches, though), so nice colours. But the long trail back stretched longer and longer, and we weren't sure we'd even make it for the planned descent with the 17:15 cable-car, 8 hours after we started on this hike. (Map details claim the hike should take 5.5 hours, but it was definitely longer than that!).

In Airolo at the valley bottom, the large-cabin cable car can transport 100 people. It takes five minutes to get to the mid-station at Pesciüm. Only about 15 people traveled on this one, most of them headed out from Pesciüm westward along the high trail into the Bedretto Valley.

From mid-station Pesciüm, a smaller cabin goes up higher to Sasso della Boggia, and only we and two mountain bikers continued on this one. The cost was the same, so we decided: Instead of a true "Round Tour", we would simply start higher up and descend the 300m back to the regular trail, which we returned to on the way back.

From Sasso della Boggia (just a summit station, mostly for skiing), a view North onto the Gotthard Highway up to the Gotthard Pass.

Enjoying the early morning sunshine at Sasso della Boggia, before starting down the mountain. Behind me is the Bedretto Valley, where I did a hike on my own recently.

Starting at Sasso della Boggia, we first descended 300m to the regular trail, which we joined again on the way back. Getting to the two main lakes required some uphill hiking.

Descending through the lovely fall landscape. Mostly this is a Mountainbike Trail.

We have had lots of marmot sightings this year.

View down into the Leventina Valley as we descend from Sasso della Boggia

A look Northeast to the Gotthard Massif. We plan one day to walk to the peak on the left.

Climbing up to the first of three lakes: Lago di Ravina

After a 35 minute walk up from Alpe di Ravina, we reached the first lake.

Very pretty lake, Lago di Ravina. We spent about half an hour up here.

A view to the back of the lake, it lies in a cauldron, as so often is the case. We ran into only two people up here, who spent the night tenting next to the lake.

A sighting of a Golden Eagle, one of Switzerland's Five Large Animals. We don't see Golden Eagles a lot, so this is always a treat.

Heading away from Lago di Ravina. This section looks like it was damaged by avalanche snows.

Arrived at the top of the next climb, 30 minutes from Lago di Ravina. Obviously there was no place to mount a pole for these trail markers!

Another view into the Leventina Valley. Across the valley is the town of Altanca, and to the left is the Ritom Funicular, till 2017 the steepest funicular in the world (beaten out by the Stoos Bahn, also in Switzerland and near to where we live). At the top of the Ritom Funicular you can just make out the Ritom Lake Dam.

Ahead of us is the next section of bracken and wild blueberry bushes, the ground we have to cover to get to the ultimate goal of our hike: Lago di Prato, in the next "cauldron" above.

A series of smaller lakes along the way.

Having reached the lake level (Lago di Prato), a look back at the ground we covered.

We found a nice secluded spot at the back of the lake, away from the other visitors, where we spent an hour (lunch time and a nap and airing the feet!)

We returned to the main trail along the far side of the lake, not an official trail, and we had to find our way through the rocks.

Finding our way through the rocky debris to get back to the main trail.

As we rejoin the main trail, here's a look back across the very pretty Lago di Prato.

More smaller lakes along the way

These "marshy" landscapes where the stream does what it wants, is something we always find fascinating.

Continuing Northeast to find the next lake: Lago della Valletta.

Looking North toward Lake Ritom Dam and the Ritom Funicular, till recently the steepest in the world. Our trail will take us past the farm below.

The third lake (Lago della Valletta) is in the next "dip".

A stunning view Northwest, past the Gotthard Pass to the Damma Glacier

There were too many people here at Lago della Valletta, so we didn't stop (young people having a good time playing UNO!)

A look behind us as we descend on the easy road from Lago della Valletta.

Heading down the hill now for our return to the Alpe di Pesciüm.

We passed the "Rifugio Garzonera", had a look inside. This is a hostel without a host, we counted a row of double-high bunks to sleep 20, and a fully equipped kitchen! I guess you can rent this for groups.

Heading back now to close the loop, i.e. to get back to the mid-station of the cable car at Pesciüm. Below is the city of Airolo, and ahead is the summit station of Sasso della Boggia where we started, although on the way back we rounded the mountainside at the Ravina Alp.

A zoomed view of Alpe di Ravina (a base station for a ski-lift). Once we got there, we rounded the mountain. We didn't go back up to the Sasso della Boggia

The way back to Alpe di Ravina was along a very good, almost level path mostly through the forest without any views, but it seemed to take forever to get back.

The final stretch after we rounded the mountain from Alpe di Ravina was a bit tricky. Some very narrow and steep sections.

Finally the first sighting of the Pesciüm Cable Car station. We wanted to descend on the 17:15 run, and just made it there at 17:00 with plenty of extra time!