Description:
The Sciora refuge belongs to the Swiss Alpine Club, but rightfully enters our site of Valtellina refuges not only because it is easily reachable from Italy, but above all because it is behind the spectacular peaks that overlook Valmasino to the south. The trail to this destination is not long, but the difficulty is given by the steep gradient of the path, which until the end knows no flat sections. To access the refuge, it is necessary to pass customs at the Swiss border in Castasegna (10 km from Chiavenna) and from there reach Bondo (823 m, after another 3-4 km). Here, turning right, you enter the town center, where if ascending by car along the road to Val Bondasca, it is necessary to get a toll at Albergo di Donato Salis (currently 12 francs for cars, 6 for motorcycles). It is also possible to pay the toll at the Municipal Forestry or shops in Bondo. In the splendid valley, access is right from the hotel square itself, continuing for a few km you reach the end and leave the car (1330 m) in the parking lot. Then on foot take the flat trail to a junction, where after filling your lungs, take left and emerge on the Laret plain (1368 m) and continue along the path skirting the stream bed. The track now becomes very steep and rocky, but its harshness is rewarded by the sublime landscape opening before our eyes with peaks in sequence from East to West: Sciora Dafora (3169 m) and Dadent (3275 m), Cima della Bondasca, Vedretta della Bondasca, Pizzi Gemelli (3262 and 3223 m), Cengalo (3370 m) and further right the majestic Badile (3308 m), in its full profile! Crossing dwarf pines, firs and larches, you reach the panoramic hill of Eraveder (1843 m). Climb further and finally, with a long diagonal traverse southeast, reach the refuge, embraced by the imposing walls of the Sciore ridge. The refuge, or rather the old 'Capanna', as refuges are called here in Switzerland ('Chamanna'), was first built in 1905; later it had a fire and was destroyed in 1947. This led to its renovation and inauguration in 1948; finally an extension in 1985 gave the final touch to the structure that today hosts passersby in this wild valley.
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Video length: 08:22