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Zervreila - Diga del Luzzone

HardGrisons · Switzerland

GPX
Distance
10.3 km (6.4 mi)
Elevation gain
1,106 m (3,629 ft)
Typical time
3 hr 49 min
Difficulty
Hard
Route type
Point to point
Highest point
2,735 m (8,973 ft)

About Zervreila - Diga del Luzzone

Zervreila - Diga del Luzzone is a 10.3 km hiking route in Grisons, Switzerland. It climbs roughly 1,106 m (3,629 ft) along the way, topping out at 2,735 m (8,973 ft). Most people take around 3 hr 49 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. It rewards preparation. Strong legs, an early start and a weather window all make a large difference here.

The higher sections open out completely, with ridgelines stacking into the distance on clear days. The high meadows are grazed in summer, so expect livestock and the occasional working farm.

It runs point to point, so arrange transport at the far end or plan a return leg before you set off. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.

The high sections hold snow long after the valleys are green, which keeps the usable season to high summer.

In short, Zervreila - Diga del Luzzone suits fit hikers with a habit of long days and an eye on the forecast. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.

Route map

Hard10.3 km1,106 m2,735 m

Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation

Elevation

Elevation profile

Ascent
+1,106 m
Descent
1,492 m
High
2,735 m (8,973 ft)
Low
1,580 m (5,184 ft)
1441 m1799 m2158 m2516 m2874 m0.0 km2.5 km5.0 km7.5 km10 km

The route in detail

The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The steepest pitch runs at roughly 68 percent, short but enough to slow most people to a crawl. The upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.

Highlights

  • High point of 2,735 m (8,973 ft)
  • Mountain
  • Alpine meadow
  • Waymarked route
  • Waymarked and signposted
  • Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent

Know before you go

Best season
July to September
Waymarked
Yes, signed on the ground
Surface
Mixed natural surface
Dogs
Not recorded, check locally
Wheelchair access
Not accessible
Entrance fee
No fee recorded
Camping
Not recorded
Drinking water
Carry your own
Toilets
Not recorded
Mobile coverage
Patchy on the upper sections
Parking
Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
Emergency
112 in Europe, 911 in North America

How this trail scores

Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.

Scenery
78/100

Terrain features, relief and photographic interest

Adventure
58/100

Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is

Difficulty
51/100

Effort index from distance and climbing

Accessibility
42/100

Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it

Family
23/100

Suitability for children who already walk

Dogs
62/100

Access rules, terrain and water along the way

Tips from the trail

  • Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
  • Aim for july to september for the most reliable conditions.
  • Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.

Warnings

  • This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
  • Some sections are steep enough to be awkward in the wet, particularly on the way down.
  • At this altitude the weather can turn in under an hour, and temperatures drop fast once cloud arrives.
  • Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.

Safety

Emergency services in Switzerland are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage in the upper sections is patchy at best, so do not count on being able to call for help from the summit. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.

What to bring

  • Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
  • Weatherproof jacket
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Trekking poles for the descent
  • Offline map and compass
  • Head torch and spare battery
  • Extra warm layer
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
  • Microspikes if you are walking at the edges of the season

Photography

Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.

Frequently asked questions

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