Gries Glacier
I did this hike on the 9th of November, 2024. I had come across some pictures of Griesgletscher online and thought it looked really nice. To both get some nice panoramic views of the valley between Airolo and Nufenenpass, as well as making it to Griesgletscher, I decided on the hike below.
Full route: Swisstopo
I went by train from Zürich to Airolo, where I changed to a bus taking me to the beginning of the hike. It was a beautiful but cold autumn morning when I started the ascent from All’ Acqua, but I quickly got warm as I made my way up the trail.
Up by Capanna Piansecco, the trail flattened out and I got the first views of the mountains in the area. The hut was closed for the season, but it lies in a very nice location and is definitely a place I can see myself come back to.
This part of the trail was easy and winding its way through fading larch trees and past some smaller streams and ponds. I was completely alone on the trail, so it was a very calm start to the day.
From the trail, I could see all the way back to Airolo, the Gotthard pass and the area around Lake Ritòm. It is not often that the air is this clear, so I was very happy about the conditions this day.
The trail went down and crossed the road leading over Nufenenpass, before it again went up to the second hut of the day, Capanna Corno-Gries. This hut also has an amazing location and views to the mountains and down into the valley.
As I walked up through the deglaciated valley, I suddenly found myself almost bumping into an ibex. It was standing on the trail about 30 meters in front of me when I saw it. After a short staring contest, I retreated and took a detour around the trail, and the ibex continued its way up the mountain side.
I continued along the trail, and finally made it to Cornopass at a perfect 2500 m. Not long after, the landscape opened up and I had direct views to Griesgletcher and Griessee, and it was even better than on the pictures I had seen. The autumn colors and the snow covered mountains framing the glacier were just stunning.
I took a break in front of the glacier to enjoy the views and relax after the first part of the hike. After some time, I walked a bit further along the lake, to see the area from different directions, before I turned around and continued back in direction All’ Acqua.
Almost back at Capanna Corno-Gries, I took an afternoon break and made some coffee. It is not often I bring the primus for one day hikes, but I was very happy for my warm drink as the sun quickly made its way down on the sky. The lowering sun, made the light on the landscape change, and it was really nice to see.
I had chosen the trail on the other side of the valley down to the bus, and the views from this side were amazing too. Here, I could also follow the dissappearing light as I made my way down into the valley. I had to walk fast the last half hour to catch the last bus of the day, but I made it and made it. The bus took me to Airolo, from where I continued back home to Zürich with the train.
