Intermediate Val Formazza Trek

This is a high mountain day, connecting two lakeside huts above the tree line with a long ridge loop. The route climbs to the lookout of Punta Lebendun, then swings across the vast basin of Lago Sabbioni with glaciers and three thousand metre peaks close at hand. It feels remote yet surprisingly playful, hopping from hut to hut and finishing on a rocky balcony at Rifugio Claudio e Bruno.

From Rifugio Margaroli the track follows the shore of Lago Vannino before turning onto steeper T3 terrain. A long ascent of roughly 800 vertical metres snakes up rubble and slabs to Punta Lebendun, a superb balcony over Val Formazza and the Sabbioni basin. The descent drops back to gentler ground near Rifugio Somma Lombardo at 2,561 metres, with huge views to Punta d'Arbola and Blinnenhorn.

Beyond the hut an airy traverse leads towards Rifugio Mores Lago Sabbione at 2,515 metres, perched just above the big dam. You cross the concrete wall with Lago Sabbioni on one side and waterfalls plunging into the valley on the other, then follow a clear path that hugs the northern shore. Short up and downs on turf and boulder ribs bring you to the stone buildings of Rifugio Claudio e Bruno, right above the turquoise water.

The final stage keeps the altitude for a while, hopping between high huts and dams before the long drop back towards Switzerland. It starts among moraine and old snowfields above Lago Sabbioni, brushes the glacier world around Rifugio 3A, then swings over towards the border ridge. After a panoramic traverse above Griessee the path finally spirals down to the Altstafel station, where the cable car glides you back to the valley.

From Rifugio Claudio e Bruno the trail climbs steadily on rocky T3 ground to reach Rifugio 3A, set right beside the Siedel glacier. Short exposed sections demand concentration but remain well marked. From here you swing south on balcony paths that lead to Rifugio Città di Busto at 2,480 metres, with long views back over Lago Sabbioni and the serrated skyline of Blinnenhorn and Punta dei Camosci.

Beyond the hut the markings guide you across rubble slopes to the broad Gries Pass and the concrete curve of the Griessee dam at around 2,380 metres. On clear days the view stretches to the icy tongue of the Gries glacier and far across the Valais peaks. A final long descent on well built mountain paths and service tracks zigzags down towards the power station buildings at Altstafel, where you find the cable car and a well earned rest.