Pittorina

Last Update: 31.08.2026 by Peter
Subregion: Bezirk Locarno
Town: Gambarogno
v4 a3 III
5h50
20min
5h
30min
1240m
835m
405m
x
30m
2x40m
32
1500m
Car optional
Rating:
★★★★★
3 (1)
Info:
★★★
1 (1)
Belay:
★★★
1 (1)
Summary:
Among the canyons in the area, it has the easiest access. Nevertheless, it is no lacking in interest.

Parts

Name
Difficulty
Approach
Tour
Return
June - October
Southwest
Gneiss
Summary:
Among the canyons in the area, it has the easiest access. Nevertheless, it is no lacking in interest.
Access:
Downstream access: Going up Val Veddasca, cross the Italy–Switzerland border along Via Cantonale and, just before the village of Indemini, take a road that descends to the right (Stráda da G'ésa) following the sign for the church of San Bartolomeo. After two hairpin bends, keep descending straight ahead until the end of Via I Prèd, where there are some free parking spots before the dirt road begins (46°05'40.0"N 8°49'37.4"E). Upstream access: Return to Via Cantonale and continue up Val Veddasca to Monti Idacca. Just below the village (Via Indemini) there are some free parking spaces on the right (46°06'08.4"N 8°50'34.3"E).
Approach (20 min):
From the Monti Idacca parking area, briefly continue uphill on the paved road until you find, on the right, the trail to Monti Sciaga and Alpe di Montoia. Pass the first two tributaries. At the junction, keep left and climb toward Alpe di Montoia untill reaching the main stream. Alternatively, keep right at the junction to skip the first 3 small waterfalls.
Tour (5 h):
01- C15 (1 dx) 02- C7 (1 sx) 03- C5 (1 sx) lower trail 04- C6 (1 dx) 05- C4 (1 sx) 06- C6 (1 dx) 07- C15 (nat sx) 08- C15 (1 sx) 09- C12 (1 dx) 10- C8 (1 sx) 11- C10 (nat dx) Right-bank tributary 12- C8 (1 sx) 13- C7 (1 sx) 14- C15 (1 sx) 15- C4 (1 dx) old trail for a possible exit 16- C18 (1 dx) 17- C8 (1 dx) 18- C10 (1 sx) 19- C25 (1 sx) 20- C10 (1 sx) 21- C12 (1 sx) 22- C8 (1 dx) 23- C8 (1 sx) 24- C7 (1 sx) 25- C6 (1 sx) 26- C12 (1 sx) 27- C20 (2 sx) Left-bank tributary (Valle della Grassa di Dentro) 28- C12 (1 dx) 29- C20 (1 dx + dev sx) 30- C30 (nat sx) Left-bank tributary 31- C10 (1 sx) Right-bank tributary (Torrente Strecchia) 32- C15 (1 sx) Lido Badi
Return (30 min):
After abseiling the last waterfall at the 'Lido Badi' area, exit on the left and take the path that leads to the bridge over the Giona River. Cross the bridge and hike up towards Alpe Bolletta and Indemini back to the cars.

Coordinates:

Canyon Start
46.101652°, 8.851764°
DMS: 46° 6" 5.95', 8° 51" 6.35'

DM: 46° 6.099", 8° 51.106"

Google Maps

SwissTopo
Canyon End
46.097226°, 8.837279°
DMS: 46° 5" 50.01', 8° 50" 14.2'

DM: 46° 5.834", 8° 50.237"

Google Maps

SwissTopo
Parking at Exit
46.094381°, 8.827059°
DMS: 46° 5" 39.77', 8° 49" 37.41'

DM: 46° 5.663", 8° 49.624"

Google Maps

SwissTopo
Parking at Entry
46.102419°, 8.843042°
DMS: 46° 6" 8.71', 8° 50" 34.95'

DM: 46° 6.145", 8° 50.582"

Google Maps

SwissTopo
Alternative Canyon Start
46.101544°, 8.850769°
DMS: 46° 6" 5.56', 8° 51" 2.77'

DM: 46° 6.093", 8° 51.046"

Google Maps

SwissTopo
Hydrology:
Water Flow generally low at the entrance. As you descend, numerous tributaries contribute to significantly increasing the flow rate.