A hiking trip to Monte Greco, Ticino

July 2012

Hot Saturday and was planning to visit a beautiful small village on Ticino mountains, which one often sees while travelling back on forth of Blenio valley. Namely Monte Greco, aka Muncrech in local dialect.

The village laid on the edge of the mountain sharing the same name, on about 1150m above the sea. Looking at it down from the valley it really looked like it's hanging there on the edge.

Society and active people have renovated a church in the village. Heard also that they've prepared  hiking paths there (there's no car road for there, and hoping never would be).

Started my trip on foot from Motto village, further down on Valle di Blenio (about 400m above the sea). First walked via old railway path towards Malvagia, where the actual hiking path started.  The Blenio valley indeed used to have a railway, at least up until Acquarossa (to my knowledge). All rails have been removed and ancient path is hardly in any use now.

Old railroad path followed near Brenno river, which had crystal clear water even on summer time (and bloody cold!) From north of Malvaglia took a trail from Rongie to Pontei. Some heavy climb in the beginning raised heartbeat well enough.

The trail climbed along heavy forest, having some old open fields here and there.

Pontei, a small village, was on the mouth of Malvaglia valley. An Orino river was somewhere down below. A group of people experienced canyoning in there.  Followed the trail up till the old bridge, Ponti di Cane, and walked through the old bridge, to head further down the path up until the village of Cane. From Cane, started a renovated (or a new?) path towards Montegreco.

The trail was not easy to hike. There was still about 300m to go on vertical level. Crossing a small creek full of water was not the easiest task. There seemed to be more water than stepping stones were made for.

Wild strawberries interrupted the hike more often that shootings of photos. Sweaty but happy arrived on the open field which looked familiar, though seen it only down from the valley. Goats ate happily grass.

Sounds of building construction proved the village was not too far.  When arrived, it was satisfying to see almost the whole Blenio valley. It did look gorgeous.

Fresh water, a small break and towards the newly renovated church (or a chapel?). Fine handcraft work, newly glass paintings, a bell. Things to see, including the view towards Biasca.

For returning chose another trail, which came straight down to Malvaglia, via a Prastinei and Piughei villages. Along the trail were destroyed old stone houses, probably caused by avalanche (winter or summer time). Some old oak trees looked noble and massive.

When arriving on the road which headed to Malvaglia valley, took a short cut to see an old Roman time bridge, Ponte Lau. Awesome looking old bridge. Orino river was somewhere far below.

Another shortcuts via vineyards to see Malvaglia church. It had old restored paintings on its walls. A bell tower graced the yard.  Walked via the village and crossed the Brenno river, and walked via old trail towards Ludiano village.

Near Ludiano church grew Merlot grapes, which home made wine I've had privilege to drink several times (Salute!). There's a great Grotto in Ludiano, too (try risotto ai funghi).

Final view before the hike was over, an old San Pietro church in Motto (though another side of Brenno river). A masterpiece and renovated in good touch (well done Piero!).

Hard walk was behind, polenta with local dry sausage and cheese (with merlot) speeded up recovery from the heavy day (at least I was hoping so).

Ever since I see Montegreco, I look at it now on a different view than before, admiring people keeping it alive.

Photos

A view towards Montegreco

Careful work

Merlot in July

 There used to be a railroad here

Steps in Pontei

Ponte di Cane, crossing Orino river

A creek from Val Biasagn

A Room With A View (or at least with a chair)

Curious

Montegreco

Somebody's living room

A view towards the city of Biasca

Renovated church

To whom the bell tools

Modern old

Opposite view

Ruins of a house

A view towards Matro

A proof of handcraft

Trail in nice shade

A noble tree, namely

Nuts gone

Ponte Lau

A chapel

Valle di Blenio; Semione, Malvaglia and Ludiano villages in sight

A break

Something old becomes something new

One should cut trees/plants soon

Malvaglia church, a bit too much renovated?

No one's at home

How lively a local shop has been?

A grand old villa

Latest ads

Un liscio, per favore

Boy, there's been hours spent here

San Pietro, Motto

Summing Up My Outdoor Year 2012

December 2012

The year 2012 started fresh and green.  Did few day hikes on Nuuksio National Park:

On a cold Sunday saw sea smoke coming, the Baltic of Finland was about to freeze soon:

Soon in January we got lots of snow in the Southern Finland.  Couldn't imagine proper winter without snow. Spent time on cross country skis and on snowshoes:

The whole year was shadowed by too many injuries. The first one, a pain on heel, interrupted my cross country skiing and snowshoeing season. February I spent on a Gym, mostly on cycling with a stationary bicycle.

Visited the Korkeasaari Zoo in Helsinki in early March and met an Owl:

In mid March took a city break at Amsterdam. Did lots of cycling there. Interesting place:

End of March did a two day hiking trip to Nuuksio National Park, to test a Bivy Bag for the very first time. Positive experience:

At Easter time, there was some Spring feeling in the air:

April started to be busy time at outdoors; started a bicycle commuting to work, a sea kayaking season. Rivers got rid of ice, allowing paddlers to enjoy watery rapids:

Early May did a two days hiking trip to Liesjärvi National Park. Lakes and forest, nice place:

May was filled with cycling, paddling, running and orienteering. Such a busy month.

Did also lots was birdwatching, as well as observing nature in general. Nice places visited were Karkali and Uutela Nature Reserve areas:

Bought a new bicycle for commuting. It inspired even more cycling, which took quite a slice of spare time.

In June did some paddling trips, one to Lill Skorvan island on Kirkkonummi:

Orienteering has been one of most favourites, Jukolan Viesti preseting its glory:

Made the 2nd paddling trip to a brand new Selkämeri National Park in June. Such nice remote islands, a great place for paddling:

Midsummer time everything gets in bloom. It's also a busy time for animals:

In early July, did some hiking trips in Switzerland (blog posts still to come!):

Back in Finland, did a combined, two days, paddling and hiking trip to Repovesi National Park. Again, magnificent place:

Cycling stole lots of my spare time from paddling. A cycling trip to the city of Porvoo was nice, but then BANG, fell off the bike and hurt my wrist (which later proved to be a broken bone):

Hand hurt a lot, but the highlight of the whole year was already in sight, 9 days paddling trip to Gulf of Finland National Park.  Did the trip even it hurt quite a lot. That's not all, fell down during the trip and got a broken rib. Ibuprofein saved the trip.

Recovering from all, paddling had to wait. Filled spare time by cycling and birdwatching.

Autumn had arrived. Birds were migrating, heading towards south. Autumn foliage brought awesome colours in nature.

Finally, did some paddling trips, one to Torra Lövö island:

Finished paddling season earlier than usual. Again, cycling stole most of the time.  Was a bit lazy, so day hikes on weekends was about enough, like the one to Luukki:

In early December visited Utö island again. Such a great place, actually the whole archipelago is quite special and unique:

In December we got lots of snow, I mean a lot. White Christmas filled the land:

Now when writing this on New Year's Eve, temperature stays above zero centigrades, outdoor activities have to wait.


Some statistics about my outdoor year 2012:

• Did altogether about 5200 km, from where
• 3700 km of cycling
• 600 km of paddling
• 300 km of running/orienteering
• 600 km of hiking/walking/snowshoeing

The best photo I took during 2012? Although taken on artificial conditions (the zoo), I'll pick up this one (all of them in Picasa):

Happy New Year !