Top 14 Mountain Passes around Giornico

The Bocchetta dello Scaiee is a mountain pass on the left side of the Verzasca Valley in the canton of Ticino. It is located between the Cima di Gagnone (2518 m above sea level, east) and the Scaiee peak (2457 m above sea level, west) at an altitude of 2434 meters above sea level. The pass can be crossed on a white-red-white marked mountain hiking trail. Paths lead from the village of Gerra in the Verzasca Valley (via Alpe del Mött), from the Val d'Agro (via Bassa di Motto) and from the Capanna Efra mountain hut and the Val Gagnone (both via Passo di Gagnone) up to the pass. In addition, an alpine hiking trail (white-blue-white) leads from the Bocchetta dello Scaiee to the Cima di Gagnoe and further over the ridge via Cima di Rierna and Cima Lunga to the Capanna Fümegna.

The Passo Crastumo is a mountain pass between the Valle Leventina and the Valle di Blenio in the canton of Ticino. Its pass is located above the Alpe di Crastumo at an altitude of 2117 meters above sea level between the peaks of Motto Crostel and Pizzo Caslett. There are no marked hiking trails over the pass, in contrast to the Bassa di Nara pass further north.

The Bassa di Nara is a mountain pass in the canton of Ticino, which connects the Valle Leventina with the Val di Blenio. The pass is located at an altitude of 2123 meters above sea level between the Mottarone in the south and Pizzo di Nara and Poncione di Nara in the north. A mountain hiking trail (white-red-white markings) leads over the pass from west to east. From the Leventina, for example, you hike from the villages of Faido, Chiggiogna or Calonico up to the Alpe Nara (1927m above sea level) before climbing another 200m to the Bassa di Nara. From the Blenio Valley, hiking trails lead westwards from Acqaurossa, Leontica or Ponte Valentino up to the pass.

The Crastumo pass is a mountain pass that connects the Blenio valley with the Leventina valley, reachable from Acquarossa or Lavorgo. The trails near the pass are only partially cycleable, making it a tough challenge for mountain bikers.

Between Passo Bareta and Alpe Laveggia there is a wonderful shortcut towards Nassera/Alpe Gorda which allows you to avoid the marching route by around 5 km and a few meters (re-ascent) (instead of taking the path via Piandios and the sentiero alto) - the path is still marked on the Siegfried map, so I tried it out. Here you only have to walk around 500 m across pathless alpine pastures until the path below Laveggia is visible again - very safe and in no way exposed or in danger of falling. From the Passo Bareta junction, descend around 100 m into the actual pass gap towards Cima di Gorda. When you climb back up, a small path visibly leads off over the hill on the right. You then end up at a rocky edge, which leads down the slope to Alpe Laveggia.

Between Passo Bareta and Alpe Gorda you can take a shortcut via Alpe Laveggia, which saves you a few km and altitude difference, and avoids the rather rocky climb from Passo Bareta to Piandios and the ups and downs on the Sentiero Alto between Piandios and Alpe Gorda through some ravines on the normal route advertised as a hiking trail. From Nassera, a little-used but clearly visible path leads to Alpe Laveggia. Above the Alpe to Passo Bareta, the path that was marked on the Siegfried map (see Swisstopo app) has turned off. But the approx. 600-700 m are easy to walk and low-risk, as there is no exposure at all over meadows and around rocks, and are actually easy to find. From the Passo Bareta junction, follow the path towards Punta Larescia for approx. 100 m, descend to the actual pass gap and then do not follow the marked path on the ascent, but keep to the right. Here, a striking rock face automatically shows you the way, which you always leave to your right and you will automatically be led to the Alpe. On the way up, you climb the hill directly behind the stables of the Alpe Laveggia and then you see the rocky ledge as a steep wall that leads directly in the direction of Passo Bareta. You use it as a guide and always go uphill below it. You also pass a wonderful little lake.

At the pass there is a wooden pair of lovers... on both sides there are wonderful views... The Laghetto Lake below shines in the most beautiful blue