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Porcellizzo loop

High routes and multi-day tours

Porcellizzo loop

A two-day alpine loop between Val Codera and Val Porcellizzo, with an overnight stay at Rifugio Gianetti.

Information reviewed on .

Detailed information

Difficulty
EE / EEA. A long, serious alpine tour over scree, gullies, moraine, possible snowfields and equipped sections. It requires high-mountain experience, sure footing and equipment suited to the conditions.
Duration
Two days, with an overnight stay at Rifugio Gianetti.
Total distance
18.30 km.
Total ascent/descent
Approximately 2,135 m ascent and 2,135 m descent.
Highest point
Passo del Porcellizzo, 2,960 m.
Estimated total time
12-14 hours of walking, excluding breaks, split over two days.
Main points
Rifugio Bresciadega, Rifugio Brasca, Bivacco Pedroni-Del Prà, Passo del Porcellizzo, Rifugio Gianetti and Passo del Barbacan.
Additional information
Book the overnight stay at Rifugio Gianetti. Both stages cross isolated high-altitude terrain: start early and check the weather, remaining snow and equipped-section conditions. A helmet and mountain footwear are recommended; an ice axe and crampons may be needed on hard snow.

Route description

The loop starts at Rifugio Bresciadega and climbs upper Val Codera via Rifugio Brasca and Bivacco Pedroni-Del Prà. The first day crosses Passo del Porcellizzo, the highest point at 2,960 m, before descending to Rifugio Gianetti for the night. On day two, the route crosses Val Porcellizzo to Passo del Barbacan and returns to Val Codera on a long descent to Rifugio Brasca and Rifugio Bresciadega.

Stage 1

Bresciadega - Rifugio Gianetti via Passo del Porcellizzo

EE / EEA
10.30 km
+0 m -570 m
7-8 h

Map and elevation profile - Stage 1

Preparing map...

Map data and tracks: ©swisstopo.

GPX and KML tracks were drawn manually. They may be loaded on phones and watches, but are approximate and may differ from the route on the ground.

Difficulty
EE / EEA. A long traverse over alpine terrain, scree, moraine and gullies; it requires experience, sure footing and favourable conditions at the pass.
Distance
10.30 km.
Ascent/descent
1,885 m ascent; 565 m descent.
Elevation
Start 1,216 m; highest point 2,960 m; finish at Rifugio Gianetti, 2,535 m.
Estimated time
7-8 hours, excluding breaks.
Start and finish
Rifugio Bresciadega - Rifugio Gianetti CAI.
Main points
Rifugio Brasca, Bivacco Pedroni-Del Prà, Passo del Porcellizzo and Rifugio Gianetti.
Additional information
This stage has substantial ascent and calls for an early start. Rifugio Brasca and Bivacco Pedroni-Del Prà are the main intermediate landmarks. A helmet and stiff mountain boots are recommended; consider an ice axe and crampons when hard snow remains.

Route description

From Rifugio Bresciadega, follow the valley floor to Rifugio Brasca, then climb upper Val Codera towards Alpe Sivigia and Bivacco Pedroni-Del Prà. From the bivouac the route crosses moraine and climbs the final gully to Passo del Porcellizzo at 2,960 m. Beyond the pass it enters Val Porcellizzo and descends over scree and high-altitude slopes to Rifugio Gianetti.

Stage downloads

PDF mapPDFGPXGPXElevation profileCSV
Stage 2

Rifugio Gianetti - Bresciadega via Passo del Barbacan

EE
8 km
+250 m -0 m
5-6 h

Map and elevation profile - Stage 2

Preparing map...

Map data and tracks: ©swisstopo.

GPX and KML tracks were drawn manually. They may be loaded on phones and watches, but are approximate and may differ from the route on the ground.

Difficulty
EE. A high-mountain traverse over loose ground and rocky steps with a long descent; it requires sure footing and good management of the elevation loss.
Distance
8 km.
Ascent/descent
250 m ascent; 1,570 m descent.
Elevation
Start approximately 2,530 m; highest point 2,620 m; finish at Rifugio Bresciadega around 1,210 m.
Estimated time
5-6 hours, excluding breaks.
Start and finish
Rifugio Gianetti CAI - Rifugio Bresciadega.
Main points
Passo del Barbacan, Valle dell'Averta, Rifugio Brasca and Rifugio Bresciadega.
Additional information
Experienced hikers coming from Val Masino can also use this stage as an approach to Rifugio Bresciadega. Check the weather, remaining snow and pass conditions, and save energy for the long descent.

Route description

From Rifugio Gianetti, follow the Sentiero Roma across upper Val Porcellizzo and climb to Passo del Barbacan at approximately 2,620 m. Descend carefully over loose ground and rocky steps into Valle dell'Averta. The terrain gradually becomes grassier and leads to Rifugio Brasca; from there the valley-floor path continues gently to Rifugio Bresciadega.

Stage downloads

PDF mapPDFGPXGPXElevation profileCSV

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