Stage 1: Maggia-Alpe Masnee Refuge

From afar, above Maggia, you can see the Pioda Chapel surrounded by vineyards. The hike begins with a series of stone steps leading directly to the chapel. Along the way, you are accompanied by the sound of the distinctive Salto Waterfall, which plunges roaring into the valley nearby. The trail crosses the fairytale-like and predominantly shaded Salto Valley until the end of the valley, where the real ascent begins. Passing various hamlets, you venture deeper into an alpine environment where nature becomes increasingly wild. The last section is once again very steep, but you are soon rewarded by the beauty of the Pianca Pond, shortly before reaching today’s destination. Gathering your strength, you climb the remaining meters up to the hut. The Alpe Masnee Refuge has six stone huts where you can spend the night and cook. The isolation makes this place a wellness oasis surrounded by peaks.