Discover Blenio: trails, Greina and cultural heritage

Blenio combines a vast natural area of scientific interest with a rich historical and cultural heritage. Subalpine peaks, gentle hills and extensive chestnut forests shape the valley. Trails cross landscapes at different elevations, while churches, museums and historic buildings tell the story of the region. For planning your trip, choose from different themes: hiking and nature, winter activities, or culture and industrial history.

Hiking between the valley floor and the highlands

The valley-floor trails in the Blenio Valley are easy and accessible almost all year round; some trails may be subject to seasonal conditions. Historic Trail No. 4 through the middle and upper Blenio Valley runs for 11 km from Acquarossa to Olivone. It follows mainly the lower path on the left bank of the Brenno, passing through small villages, hamlets and important historic sites. Another route, the Negrentino historic loop, is 4.5 km long and takes about 1 hour and 55 minutes in total. The loop passes old churches and chapels featuring sculptures and artistic frescoes.

The hike to Lago Retico begins at the car park near Alpe Predasca and continues past Capanna Bovarina to the lake. Lago Retico lies in Val di Campo at an altitude of 2,373 m in the municipality of Blenio. The hike is listed as involving 634 m of elevation gain and taking about three hours; seasonal road and trail conditions may affect access details. By comparison, the loop through the flower meadows of Dötra is 9 km long, graded T2, and has 281 m of elevation gain and loss. The Lago Retico hike is therefore defined by its duration and ascent, while the Dötra loop is characterized by its distance, grade, ascent and descent.

The Greina plateau is accessible only on foot. It stretches almost 6 km in length and 1 km in width, at an altitude of over 2,200 m. The Piano della Greina is considered a landscape of national importance because of its outstanding geological and natural features. On the Greina route, a 600 m detour leads to the walk-through Arco della Greina, a 40 m-high natural arch.

Winter trails and other activities

In Campo Blenio, winter activities include skiing, sledding and snowshoeing, depending on snow and operating conditions. The outdoor ice rink is at an altitude of about 1,200 m, covers 180 m² and is open from December to Easter when weather conditions are suitable. In Campra, the black cross-country ski trail is 5 km long and has 182 m of elevation gain. There is also a 1.3 km illuminated night trail for cross-country skiing.

The Campo Blenio–Saracino winter trail is an easy loop. It leads to Pineta Saracin and Ghirone through a natural setting at the entrance to the trail up to the Greina plateau. Squirrels and other wild animals live in Pineta Saracin; tracks of roe deer, red deer and hares are often spotted along the Brenno. There is also a specific option for a two-wheeled trip: the Valle di Blenio bike route, SwitzerlandMobility 387, connects Olivone and Biasca over 25.5 km.

Churches, museums and history

The site of Serravalle Castle was already inhabited by the end of the 9th century, according to the earliest documented references. The present-day castle was built by the Milanese around 1220 to 1230 and systematically destroyed in 1402. The Church of Santa Maria del Castello stands in the outer bailey. It is documented in writing from the early 14th century; its present layout dates from the 16th century.

In Dangio, the old Church of Santo Stefano dates from the 12th century and was rebuilt in 1732 after a fire. Its Romanesque bell tower has five levels, clearly separated by a zigzag frieze. The Church of Saints Maurice and Agatha in Campo Blenio is first mentioned in 1225; it has a late Romanesque bell tower and numerous frescoes attributed to the Tarilli. The Oratorio S. Ambrogio is mentioned in 1567 in connection with the visit of Saint Charles Borromeo and was enlarged in the Baroque style in 1742.

The Ethnographic and Historical Museum of the Blenio Valley is housed in the Pretorio, also known as the Landfogti House. The building was constructed at the beginning of the 16th century on the site of an earlier building, documented by the date 1461. The museum works closely with the canton, and particularly with the Centro di dialettologia e di etnografia, to preserve and develop the valley’s cultural heritage. The façade of the Landfogti House features frescoes with the coats of arms of the cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, as well as the Blenio Valley community’s coat of arms from 1578. Other features include a sundial, the coats of arms of the bailiffs from the 16th and 17th centuries, and a relief bearing the symbol of justice.

The Museo Cà da Rivöi focuses on the traditions and culture of the upper Blenio Valley and is housed in a typical Alpine home dating from 1658. On display are tools, implements and objects of sacred art that bear witness to a bygone era or one that is gradually disappearing. The region’s industrial history includes the first chocolate factory in the Blenio Valley: the Cima brothers founded it in Torre-Dangio in 1903.

Getting there and planning your trip

By car, Blenio is about a 30-minute drive from the Gotthard motorway exit on the A2 at Biasca; road conditions may affect the journey. Autolinee Bleniesi buses run from Biasca to Lukmanier Pass and serve the villages of the Blenio Valley. If travelling by bus, check the current timetable before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Ghirone, Semione, Olivone, Malvaglia, Acquarossa, Acquacalda, Marolta, Dongio, Prugiasco, Lottigna, Ludiano, Blenio.

Return to the main travel overview: Ticino.