UKC

Switzerland bouldering logistics advice (Chironico, Crecisiano etc)

New Topic
This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings.
 e.ms355 06 Sep 2021

Morning all, 

we're planning to head out for a couple weeks bouldering (cresciano, chironico, gottardo) in Switzerland, back end of September. I've done a lot of searching but all posts seem to be fairly old relating to where to stay etc so wondered- does anyone have any suggestions as to campsites, hostels, cheap(ish!) bnbs etc in the area or where is best to stay? 

we have the van, and it looks like there is a fair amount of places to park up for the night too but would be nice to have some reassurance this is still the case and spend a few nights in a campsite too. definitely don't want to anger locals if we can avoid!

equally, what else is good to do in that area on off days aside from being in the alps? 

thanking you kindly for any advice

 HeMa 06 Sep 2021
In reply to e.ms355:

Can't give you any recent updates. But parking and dozing for the night has been pretty much forbidden in majority of the parking spots in CH for ages.

Can you still do it, yeah sort of but the police etc. do check these aires/parking spots. And if you find a secluded road, the farmer might not be too keen to find you there come early morning.

In IT and FR, I'm more than happy to overnight at parking spots, trailheads etc (unless specifically forbidden). But this is different in CH, they tend to be more strict and anal about following the rules.

So a gite, airbnb, bnb, hotel/motel or camping ground is your best bet.

Search around and you should be able to find something. Bellinzone and Biasca are the bigger towns between Cresciano and Chionico are. Recall both had camping grounds and hotels at least.

A milder climate can be found at Locarno, with a nice camping ground by the lake (we stayed there). But it's like 30mins more driving every day. Close to Ponte Brolla and Valle Maggia stuff.

For Gottard, the Hospiz is the obvious option as makes no sense to drive up the col each day. Colder though... and Gottard might also be a suitable place for overnight dozing in the van (see for yourself once there... if doens't seem to be a good option, there is always the hospiz).

Of the pass is mostly granite, so gritty and thus having good skin is smart. Cresciano and Chironico are more of gneiss kind, so less gritty (and thus less gashes, but more likely to wear out of skin all together). Plan accordingly.

New Topic
This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings.
Loading Notifications...