PROPOSED BY THE GUIDE
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Lago Retico: the Lucomagno plateau and the red lake at the head of Val Blenio

Acquacalda, Canton Ticino · Svizzera•1 day•Hiking · 2,372 m
Experience
Day hikes
Difficulty ?
INTERMEDIATE
Where?
Canton Ticino, Svizzera
On your own?
No problem
Points
+16
Lago Retico: the Lucomagno plateau and the red lake at the head of Val Blenio
Community photos
See all photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Your guide
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS HIKE

Lago Retico at Lucomagno

At the head of Val Blenio, where the Lucomagno road crosses towards Graubünden, lies a plateau of peat bogs, mountain pines and small lakes that in summer is one of the quietest places in Ticino. Lago Retico sits at 2,372 m in a bowl of reddish rock that gave it its name.

Group chat a couple of days before
Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

From Acquacalda, on the pass road, we climb through pasture and bog to the lake, in a landscape that is already alpine but without difficult ground.

From the lake we climb a little further to the viewpoint over the Lucomagno bowl, with the Graubünden peaks to the north, and return on the Alpe Casaccia loop.

The Lucomagno road is open May to November, then closes for snow. At 2,400 m the weather turns within the hour and the temperature drops fast: layers, a shell and light gloves even in August. There is nowhere to buy food on the route.

A valid ID in your pocket, not in your rucksack: Switzerland is not in the European Union and border checks do happen.

Mountain rescue is charged for: in Switzerland the helicopter is billed to the person who calls it. Guiddy accident insurance is included, but a Rega card (about €40 a year) or a policy covering rescue costs in Switzerland is what we suggest to everyone.

Swiss francs: huts and cable cars almost always take cards, but a few valley huts are still cash only. The European health card is valid in Switzerland for emergency care.

A9 to Bellinzona, then up Val Blenio to Olivone and the Lucomagno road: two and a quarter hours from the ring road.

By car you need the Swiss motorway vignette (CHF 40, valid for the calendar year) if you use the motorway: you buy it at the border, at petrol stations near the crossing, or online.

GOOD TO KNOW
Group chat
It opens a couple of days before: that's where the meeting point is confirmed and carpooling is arranged.
Free cancellation up to 3 days before
You pay nothing when you book.
Guiddy accident insurance
Included in the price.
+16 Guiddy points
Your points grow with every outing, level you up and unlock discounts, exclusive outings and goodies.
Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
Included in the price.
Not suitable for dogs
This time your dog stays at home.

How hard is it, really

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
600 m D+ · 12 km · 5 h
Exposure and exposed sections
NONE
No exposed sections reported on the route.
VERTIGO RISK
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 5 h and 600 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included in the price

✓INCLUDED
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Guiddy points for the loyalty programme
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch or lunch at the hut
✕Parking
✕Travel to Acquacalda
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.

Itinerary

One day, approximate times. The final details come in the group chat.

Elevation gain
600 m
Max altitude
2,372 m
Distance
12 km
Duration
5 h
Map
Day
12 km · D+ 600 m · 5 h
Meeting point 9:00approximate
Meeting at Acquacalda, Centro Pro Natura Lucomagno, Canton Ticino, Svizzera. The exact time is confirmed in the group chat. We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
HOW TO GET THERE
A
09:00MEETING
Meeting at Acquacalda
We meet the Guidders on the Lucomagno road, at the Pro Natura centre.
B
10:30VIEWPOINT
The plateau bogs
Pasture, mountain pine and protected bogs: the guide explains why this landscape is rare.
C
11:45LAKE
Lago Retico
The lake in its bowl of red rock, at 2,372 m. Packed lunch out of the wind.
D
14:45RETURN
Back to Acquacalda
Down the alp loop and we finish at the pass.

How do you get to Acquacalda? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group. Contacts and costs are agreed between you: a seat isn't guaranteed.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike. No technical gear: just good shoes and a well-packed backpack.

Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Backpack
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Waterproof shell
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Layered clothing
RECOMMENDED
Warm gloves
RECOMMENDED
Warm hat
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED
Sunscreen
RECOMMENDED

Reviews

Only from people who completed the outing.
—
no reviews yet
Itinerary—
Organisation—
Overall experience—
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
We only ask for feedback from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 5 h with 600 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Book now, pay only if it goes ahead
MOST POPULAR
✓No charge now: the amount is only held on your card
✓Free cancellation up to 3 days before
✓You're only charged once the group is confirmed, at 7 pm the evening before departure
✓Minimum not reached? No charge, nothing to do
Or pay straight away by card, PayPal, Satispay or Revolut. With Klarna you can also pay in interest-free instalments.
Ibex
Still have questions? Ask Ibex
Ibex is Guiddy's virtual ibex: it answers everything, 24/7. In two messages it tells you whether this outing is for you, how to get there and what to pack.
Hi, I'm Ibex. Ask me anything about this outing: level, what to bring, meeting point, car pooling, payment.
No commitment: we're happy to answer even just for advice. Prefer WhatsApp?
Lago Retico: the Lucomagno plateau and the red lake at the head of Val Blenio

Lago Retico: the Lucomagno plateau and the red lake at the head of Val Blenio

Acquacalda, Centro Pro Natura Lucomagno (TI) · Svizzera
1 day · Hiking · 2,372 m
New: you'll be among the first Guidders to do it
Elevation gain
600 m
Max altitude
2,372 m
Distance
12 km
Exposed sections
None
Duration
5 h
Guiddy points
+16
6 photos
+2 photos
WHY THIS HIKE

Lago Retico at Lucomagno

At the head of Val Blenio, where the Lucomagno road crosses towards Graubünden, lies a plateau of peat bogs, mountain pines and small lakes that in summer is one of the quietest places in Ticino. Lago Retico sits at 2,372 m in a bowl of reddish rock that gave it its name.

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

From Acquacalda, on the pass road, we climb through pasture and bog to the lake, in a landscape that is already alpine but without difficult ground.

From the lake we climb a little further to the viewpoint over the Lucomagno bowl, with the Graubünden peaks to the north, and return on the Alpe Casaccia loop.

The Lucomagno road is open May to November, then closes for snow. At 2,400 m the weather turns within the hour and the temperature drops fast: layers, a shell and light gloves even in August. There is nowhere to buy food on the route.

A valid ID in your pocket, not in your rucksack: Switzerland is not in the European Union and border checks do happen.

Mountain rescue is charged for: in Switzerland the helicopter is billed to the person who calls it. Guiddy accident insurance is included, but a Rega card (about €40 a year) or a policy covering rescue costs in Switzerland is what we suggest to everyone.

Swiss francs: huts and cable cars almost always take cards, but a few valley huts are still cash only. The European health card is valid in Switzerland for emergency care.

A9 to Bellinzona, then up Val Blenio to Olivone and the Lucomagno road: two and a quarter hours from the ring road.

By car you need the Swiss motorway vignette (CHF 40, valid for the calendar year) if you use the motorway: you buy it at the border, at petrol stations near the crossing, or online.

How hard is it

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
600 m D+ · 12 km · 5 h
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 5 h and 600 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included

INCLUDED
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✓Guiddy points for the loyalty programme
NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch or lunch at the hut
✕Parking
✕Travel to Acquacalda

Itinerary

Day · approximate times
Map
Explore the map
4 stops
Meeting point 9:00Meeting at Acquacalda
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
A
09:00MEETING
Meeting at Acquacalda
We meet the Guidders on the Lucomagno road, at the Pro Natura centre.
B
10:30VIEWPOINT
The plateau bogs
Pasture, mountain pine and protected bogs: the guide explains why this landscape is rare.
C
11:45LAKE
Lago Retico
The lake in its bowl of red rock, at 2,372 m. Packed lunch out of the wind.
D
14:45RETURN
Back to Acquacalda
Down the alp loop and we finish at the pass.

How do you get to Acquacalda? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike.
Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Backpack
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Waterproof shell
REQUIRED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Layered clothing
RECOMMENDED
Warm gloves
RECOMMENDED
Warm hat
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED
Sunscreen
RECOMMENDED

Reviews

— · none yet
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
Only from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 5 h with 600 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
No date
€24.90
per person
Book now →
Pay only if confirmed