The sun was shining this morning, which was a nice way to start a day where I will, depending on my legs, walk 42kms. As I get closer to the Alps, there is a gradual elevation from 230 to 570m. If my legs aren’t up to it, I can catch a bus and make up the kilometers tomorrow.
After an OK breakfast, I was on my way by 7.45. Enjoying the sun after two cloudy/rainy days, I already missed the first turn of the day. I continued along the main road, as there was a bridge ahead crossing the Ticino river. It turned out to be a car only bridge, so I continued on the wrong side of the river, until I reached a bridge that I could cross.
I followed a path next to, or at least very close to the Ticino River for today’s first 26km, all the way to Biasca. All in all a pleasant walk and an easy path, dominated by the 2727m high, snow topped, mountain Pizzo di Claro/Visagno. Even though I was walking next to the river, for the most part, there was high vegetation hiding it from view.
I passed an industrial area and building site with lots of cranes and what seemed to be a rock crushing site, at least there was a lot of heavyweight machines and small stones coming out at one end.
As I continued along the path, there were 10-15 iron sculptures lining the path in the middle of nowhere. It was a welcome break.
In Lodrino, I passed a military air base, but didn’t see any planes. Shortly afterwards, 20kms into todays stage, I took a break, sitting on a stone, watching a a couple of helicopters flying close to the mountain side. I wasn’t sure if it was an actual emergency.
Whilst watching the helicopters, a walker came by; a rarity since leaving the Via Francigena. We chatted in French for 10 minutes. He walked one day every now and then, walking from one end of Switzerland to the other. He was 78, so he took one trip at a time. We talked about crossing Lucomagno, which I will do tomorrow, and he wondered whether it may be necessary to stick to the road as the paths may still be covered in snow, at least in the higher reaches.
I continued along the Ticino, this time on a path made of stone slabs, and occasional views of the river rushing by. I crossed the river for the last time as I walked through the outskirts of Biasca, through what was a mixed residential and farm area, one house having cows in their front yard.
Shortly after leaving the hotel this morning, I passed a signpost stating that it takes 5hrs and 40 mins to walk Biasca. If that was the case, and given I potentially had another 16km to walk after Biasca, I was a little concerned. I eventually arrived at 14.00, after 5 hrs and 30 mins, so the sign was accurate. I did though take breaks for 45 minutes and taking photos is a bit stop and start.
I was thirsty and hungry. Luckily I found a small bar that was open in Biasca, but they didn’t have any food. I rested, took my shoes off, enjoying a coffee and cola. There was a supermarket across the road, and it opened whilst I was sitting outside the bar. I walked over and the lady made me a ham and cheese sandwich and I bought a jam tart. I ate them whilst walking.
I had left the Ticino, and was now walking along the River Brenno, a feeder to the Ticino river. I walked along a path next to the main road, the road over Lucomagno. I continued next to the river for several kilometers, being warned to run if I met a flood wave, which, if I understood correctly, was a possibility due to an hydro-electric dam. As it was there was little water in the river.
I passed through a flat valley with green fields, on my way to Rongle, with the mountains getting ever closer and ever more daunting.
In Rongle I took a wrong turn – a path on the right side of the road instead of the left side – and ended up at a ski-lift. Back onto the main road, I still didn’t see the path and ended up walking along the road from a kilometer or so to Moto. I took a break in a bus shelter, watching a bus drop off the school kids. During my planning, I had hoped to make it to here, and take a bus that last 5-6 kilometers to Acquarossa, today’s destination. I was feeling OK, so I decided to continue.
The rest of the walk was along the Benno valley, surrounded by mountains.
I arrived at the hostel I was staying at around 17.30 after a nice but long walk. The weather had been beautiful all day, not too hot, so perfect walking weather. Waterfalls, rivers, rapids, green landscapes, mountains, picturesque villages, and cutting 5kms off tomorrows stage. I just hope my legs keep going.
The owners daughter spoke English, so they recommended a couple of places to eat – Pizza and Tiramisu – the standard diet of a walker.