Basòdino

Basodino is a glaciated 3,272 m summit in the Lepontine Alps, straddling the Swiss-Italian border at the head of Val Bavona, above Cevio in the canton of Ticino. After the Rheinwaldhorn, it is the canton's second-highest peak, and the area's best-known high-alpine objective.

What makes Basodino special?

The glacier. Ticino's largest, it covers roughly 2 km², with its lower edge near 2,500 m. It has shrunk by about 1,400 m in 150 years, and in 2008 it separated into two parts: the Basòdino glacier to the south and the Cavergno glacier to the north. Few places in the southern Alps show climate change this plainly.

How do you get there?

From Locarno, head to Cevio, then continue up Val Bavona to San Carlo; the bus journey involves a change at Cavergno. At San Carlo a cable car lifts you in about 15 minutes to the Robiei area at roughly 1,900 m. A marked path leads from the top station to the hut in around 15 minutes.

Where do you stay?

Capanna Basòdino sits at 1,856 m on a terrace above the Robiei alp. Run by the Locarno section of the Swiss Alpine Club and built in 1927, it is staffed from June to October and offers a winter room the rest of the year. On the Italian side, the Rifugio Maria Luisa serves as the base.

What is the climb like?

The classic normal route starts at Capanna Basòdino and is graded PD+. Plan on about 5 hours and 1,420 m of ascent. It is technically moderate, but it crosses glacier ice, so you need crampons, an axe, rope skills and a partner. Conditions change from season to season as the ice retreats.

What can you do without summiting?

Plenty. A circuit around Lago di Robiei to the hut is graded T2 and covers about 4.6 km. The longer Basodino glacier trail runs around 8.5 km with about 630 m of climbing, and takes 5-6 hours.

When should you go?

The summer season runs roughly June to October. Check cable car timetables, trail conditions and hut availability before you set off.

FAQ

How high is Basodino? 3,272 m above sea level, though some sources quote 3,273 m.

Can beginners climb it? Not the summit: it needs glacier experience and equipment. Beginners can enjoy the Robiei lake loop or the glacier trail.

Can I stay overnight at the hut? Yes. Capanna Basòdino has about 58-61 beds (sources differ) and is staffed in summer, with a winter room otherwise.

Where is the best starting point? San Carlo in Val Bavona, where the cable car reaches Robiei in around 15 minutes.