GTA Variant of Alte Valli Anzasca and Antrona: Stage 16A Rifugio Alpe Laghetto - Rifugio Andolla

Highlights and tour details

From Alpe Laghetto you go down again towards the Vallaro basin at an altitude of 1820 and, following the signs, climb slightly diagonally up the hillside over pastureland areas to Alpe Campo (1890 m). You then cross the whole basin and after having crossed the Straciugo stream that descends from the Pizzo of the same name, climb up briefly to go round the base of a ridge, and on a flat slope proceed to a large boulder with signs. Here the path becomes less visible and proceeds on the hillside among the abandoned pastures until it reaches the Alpe Preia plain at an altitude of 2044 metres. You then pass to the left of the huts and climb up to the pass above the alp where you continue along the watershed until reaching the Passo della Preia (2327 m).
From the pass, you leave the main track to take the path that climbs to the right towards Passo del Busin. The first stretch of the ridge is rather exposed to the air so it deserves caution. Then leave the ridge to reach Passo del Busin (2486 m) by carefully crossing a steep hillside subject to landslides. You then descend on the Swiss side of the Zwischbergental along a detrital valley to Alpe Porcareccia at an altitude of about 2200 m, where you cross the path that goes up from Cheller. Here you will also find the crossroads with the stage variant coming from Passo di Pontimia. Continue on the right and take the path (red and white signs) that shortly leads back to the watershed crest and the Italian-Swiss border of Passo di Andolla (2418 m). From here you follow the very well marked path that descends diagonally on the right to the homonymous refuge.