Lake Tremorgio to Dalpe via Passo Venett in the Leventina Valley

Friday September 9, 2022 -- It's been a while since we traveled south of the Gotthard Tunnel to the Ticino, and this was our choice for this day because once again there was too much cloud cover in the North.

We have done a lot of walking in the area between Airolo and Biasca, but there was a region we had never yet visited: A large sunny plateau called Dalpe. We made that the goal of our hike, but started with a cable car ride to the pretty mountain lake called Tremorgio (very low on water this time, compared to the last time we were here), and then hiked up from there just over 300 meters to a pass (Passo Venett), from where we descended to to Dalpe. For us, this was another relatively easy hike, about 3.5 hours.

Although the mountains on the East side of the Leventina Valley had sunshine all day, we were not so lucky. Clouds hung out on the western mountains and blocked the sun for most of the day. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the hike, especially in the area near the pass. There were large bands of stark white rock up here (Dolomit), and such an abundance of super fine sand, it felt almost as if we were on a beach at the ocean. And for good reason, as information panels let us know that this sedimentary rock was once under the sea, and pushed upwards to 2100m with great force many millions of years ago! 

Heading up to Lake Tremorgio with the cable car from Rodi-Fiesso.

The Rodi-Tremorgio Cable Car. Took us 900m above the valley bottom!

A look into the upper Leventina Valley, where there was sunshine all day! The villages on the mountainside are part of the "Strada Alta" (the Leventina "High Road"), which we have completed. 

It takes less than an hour to get to the Pass (Passo Venett) before descending to Dalpe, ca. 3 hours.

This was actually an easy tour for us, only 300 meters ascent altogether. It took us only 40 minutes to get to the Alpe Campolungo, and another 10 minutes to the Pass. The descent after our picnic lunch at Stuéi was all through the forest. 

Panorama view of the kettle in which lies Lake Tremorgio

Heading up to Alpe Campolungo

For a short moment we had some sunshine on the lake! Last time we were here, we climbed up the hillside on the opposite side of the lake (lowest section at the front). 

The water level is very low in the lake

It took us 40 minutes to get to this upper pasture called Alpe Campolungo. Our plan for one day in the future is to cross the pass at the far back into the Lavizzara Valley, which is at the back of the Maggia Valley. This requires a 2- or 3-day trip, as we cannot get back home from there in one day!

A final look down at the lake and the Leventina Valley before heading up to the pass

We were very surprised that the ground up here consists of a layer of fine white sand!

These white bands of rock, as well as the white band at the back of the Alpe Campolungo and further down toward Dalpe, consist of a rock called "Dolomite Marble", a sedimentary rock which formed at the sea bottom 250 million years ago, and was pushed up by enormous forces to this level of 2100 meters above sea level

A final look back at Alpe Campolungo in the sunshine, with the fascinating white band of Dolomite Marble. 

The rock formations up here at the Passo Vanett were totally unexpected and fascinating. From here we have a little over two hours to descend to Dalpe. We have long wanted to do the hike to Fusio via Passo Campolungo.... 

We spent some time up here in the white rock and sand, because it was fascinating and we had never encountered this before. 

Looking for semi-precious stones which can be found up here. We didn't find anything colourful, but there were so many glittery rocks, I brought a pocketful home! Below us in the center is the high plateau called Dalpe, where we are headed. 

A look back up at the Venett Pass as we head down the mountain on the Leventina Valley side. 

A long zigzag path of white sand and glittery rocks descends the mountainside. 

The marvelous rock formation at the Venett Pass, now above us. 

Down below is the Dalpe plateau. That's where our hike will end. Behind the first row of mountains (which form the East side of the Leventina Valley) is the Adula Massif, which is the source of the Posterior Rhine River. 

A close-up look at the Adula Massif, and the mountain called Adula Rheinwaldhorn. 

A very fitting and colour-matching decoration for Urs' hiking boots!

Our trail passed this little shelter on the hillside, and the table was perfect for us to take our lunch-break here! (1:15 p.m.)

Our view from our picnic table to the other side of the valley, which mostly had sunshine all day. In the dip between the highest peak and the small cloud is a lake called Chièra, which we hiked up to in August 2019. Those photos are worth looking at HERE.

Always amazing to see where we have descended from!

Most of our descent was through the forest, and we had a great time discovering all these different fungi!

Last section before getting to Dalpe. All the properties here are spotless and well-decorated. 

Close-up view of the "Oratorio di San Rocco" in the newer part of Dalpe. As it turns out, we ended up walking out to the bus stop there, which was a good thing, as due to road construction, the bus wasn't doing its regular run into the old part of the village!

This is the parish church in the older part of the town. 

A lovely house built in 1804

From the old part of Dalpe, a look across at the more modern neighbourhood. Usually the bus comes to here, but we had time to walk to the bus stop at the little church on the left, which turns out to have been a good thing, as the bus came only that far before turning back!

The Oratorio San Rocco, built in 1489, was unfortunately locked, so I could not see the inside.

This fellow was hiding behind the information panel!

A look back at the old part of Dalpe and the Val Piumogna behind it, After being here, we have decided we want to hike into that valley as well!

The various hikes we have done in this region. The purple one is the hike to Lake Chièra on the very opposite side of the valley (2109). This is just 15 km south of the Gotthard Tunnel exit in Airolo

Taking the bus back to Airolo train station, we followed the "scenic" route on the opposite side of the valley! Directly to the north is the Gotthard Massif, which separates the north from the south. 

The lovely old church in Quinto, something I have to visit some time. 

Approximate location of the area where we were hiking. 

Here is a photo taken in August 2019 as we took the bus up to Predèlp on the opposite side of the valley. From there we got a view of the Venett Pass with the bands of white Dolomit rock, and the upper plateau of Dalpe.