Canyoning in the Alps

A guidebook to the best canyoning descents in the alps of northern Italy and Ticino (Switzerland), with additional routes in Austria, Slovenia and the Valais Alps. Routes are split into seven separate grades, for beginners through to experts. Includes comprehensive information on equipment, hazards and techniques.

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Overview

The Alps rank high among the world's foremost destinations for canyoning. This book brings together all the most celebrated descents in the Alpine regions of northern Italy and Ticino in Switzerland, including classic limestone canyons and superb granite-gneiss water sculptures. Divided into five areas, the descents described in the guide present a huge variety of terrain, rock and styles of canyoning. Route difficulty is split into seven grades, from easier canyons suited to beginners, through to the strongest aquatic and technical challenges, which demand experienced rope skills, physical fitness and a calm head for high water. The guide provides comprehensive background information on equipment, hazards and techniques, as well as details of Alpine geology and the history of canyon exploration. The book also features additional nearby routes in Austria, Slovenia and in the Valais Alps, as well as the climbing, via ferrata and walking options in the surrounding hills and mountains.

Table of Contents

Map of areas covered
Preface

Introduction

Canyoning – a brief history
Geology of the Alps (for canyoners)
Weather and when to go
Getting there
Getting around
Waymarking, access routes and maps
The risks of canyoning
Canyoning rope techniques
Equipment and clothing
Cameras and photography
Canyon safety – precautions and pre-trip preparations
Mountain rescue, local healthcare and insurance
Canyon etiquette
Using this guide
Key facts

Val d’Ossola

Route 1 Massaschluct
Route 2 Gondo
Route 3 Rasiga Superiore
Route 3a Rasiga Inferiore
Route 4 Variola Superiore
Route 5 Mondelli 2
Route 5a Mondelli 1
Route 6 Mondelli 3
Route 7 Bianca
Route 7a Segnara
Route 8 Toce
Route 9 Rio d’Alba
Route 10 Antolina
Route 11 Isorno Finale
Route 12 Antoliva
Route 13 Ogliana di Quarata
Route 13a Menta Inferiore
Route 14 Ogliana di Beura – Parte Finale
Route 15 Marona

Ticino

Route 16 Serenello
Route 17 Bignasco
Route 18 Sponde
Route 19 Giumaglio
Route 20 Salto
Route 21 Val di Gei Inferiore
Route 22 Val Grande Inferiore
Route 23 Loco Inferiore
Route 24 Ticinetto Inferiore
Route 25 Barougia
Route 26 Malvaglia Inferiore
Route 27 Combra
Route 28 Pontirone Superiore
Route 29 Pontirone Inferiore
Route 30 Iragna Superiore
Route 31 Iragna Inferiore
Route 32 Lodrino Intermedio
Route 33 Lodrino Inferiore
Route 34 Osogna Intermedio
Route 34a Osogna Superiore
Route 35 Osogna Inferiore
Route 36 Cresciano Superiore
Route 37 Cresciano Inferiore

Lake Como

Route 38 Bodengo 2
Route 38a Bodengo 1
Route 39 Bodengo 3
Route 40 Pilotera
Route 41 Mengasca
Route 42 Casenda
Route 43 Bares
Route 44 Borgo
Route 45 Perlana Inferiore
Route 46 Bondasca
Route 46a Drögh Grand
Route 47 Lesina
Route 48 Ferro
Route 49 Cormor
Route 50 Valle di Scerscen
Route 51 Val Brutta
Route 52 Esino Inferiore
Route 53 Boazzo

The Belluno and Friuli Dolomites

Route 54 Grigno
Route 55 La Soffia
Route 56 Forti
Route 57 Pisson
Route 58 Clusa Superiore
Route 59 Clusa Inferiore
Route 60 Mus Inferiore
Route 60a Mus Superiore
Route 61 Fogarè Superiore
Route 62 Fogarè Inferiore
Route 63 Maor
Route 64 Maggiore
Route 65 Tovanella
Route 66 Zemola
Route 67 Pezzeda
Route 68 Ciorosolin
Route 69 Torrente Chiadola
Route 70 Ciolesan
Route 71 Alba-Molassa

Carnia and the Julian Alps

Route 72 Lower Rötenbach
Route 72a Upper Rötenbach
Route 73 Frauenbach
Route 74 Novarza
Route 75 Lumiei
Route 76 Rio Negro
Route 77 Viellia
Route 78 Picchionis
Route 79 Chiantione
Route 80 La Foce Inferiore
Route 81 Cosa
Route 82 Leale Inferiore
Route 83 Lavarie
Route 84 Tralba Inferiore
Route 84a Alba
Route 85 Simon Inferiore
Route 85a Simon Superiore
Route 86 Cuestis
Route 87 Rio Nero Superiore
Route 88 Rio Nero Inferiore
Route 89 Brussine
Route 90 Mlinarica

Appendix A Canyon summary table
Appendix B Further information and resources
Appendix C Campsites
Appendix D Tourist information offices
Appendix E Glossary of technical terms
Appendix F First descents

Route Index
Route Planner

Maps

Detailed topographic maps are usually unnecessary, but those wishing to buy them will find details in the ‘Practicalities’ section near the start of each regional chapter. They will certainly be needed if you wish to do any walking or via ferrata in the area. On the other hand, a good road map is very useful (1:200,000 or better). There are many such maps available, but perhaps the most convenient are the 1:200,000 Touring Club Italiano maps. These cover the whole area of this guidebook in just two sheets: ‘Lombardia’ (which covers Val d’Ossola, Ticino and Lake Como) and ‘Veneto-Friuli Venezia Giulia’ (which covers the Dolomites, and Carnia and the Julian Alps).

Updates

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August 2016

Updates

Corrections to the 2012 printing

Route 6 (Mondelli 3) The 'return' part of the description has been displaced into route 7.

Routes 28&29 (Pontirone) The access maps have been rotated to fit the page, but not the north arrows.

Route 31 (Iragna Inferiore) There is a traverse line out to the right on the aquatic 24m pitch, which allows a 35m abseil out of the water. The dashed line before this pitch represents a bypass to the right of a 15m pitch.

Route 45 (Perlana) Although light can be seen once at the base of the 6m cave pitch, it cannot be seen from the top. Some canyoners have therefore found this pitch intimidating without a light. A headtorch is therefore recommended for the first person down.

Route 54 (Grigno) The access maps have been rotated to fit the page, but not the north arrows.

Route 84A (Alba) The final few sentences are missing from the route description. It should read “It is not worth doing unless meeting a more experienced team doing Rio Tralba. It consists of four pitches, rigged out of the water. Allow 2h for the descent. Max pitch 18m.”

Route 85 (Rio Simon) Path 428, referred to in the access description and marked on the map, should be path 424. Note that the side tracks leading to path 424 from the road are much less obvious to follow.

The Dolomites intro map The campsite symbol should be by Cimolais not Claut.

Updates to the 2012 printing

Route 2 (Gondo) New information regarding the upstream dam. Call the dam on 0041 27 966 54 00 to ensure no dam manoeuvres are planned. Operators speak Swiss German, and apparently aren’t particularly helpful or interested in your safety! Current advice is therefore to visit the dam prior to your descent in order to determine input and outflow of the buffer reservoir. Further details can be found at http://yelsub1.free.fr/canyons... and https://www.descente-canyon.com/canyoning/canyon-description/2750/topo.html.

Route 6 (Mondelli 3) There is now a water catchment prior to the 60m pitch that takes more than half the flow from the river, meaning that the lower pitches are far less intimidating than they once were, and the flow in the upper part of the canyon can no longer be assessed from Parking A.

Route 9 (Rio d'Alba) The canyon has been re-equipped as far as the final 250m pitch (July 2013).

Route 11 (Isorno Finale) The canyon has been re-equipped with AIC rigging (2012).

Route 41&42 (Mengasca and Casenda) A ticket is needed to use the roads that access the upper parking areas for these canyons. It is available from a machine outside the "Commune di Samolaco", located on the main road (the SP2) through the village of Era. The ticket costs €3.50 and is valid for two days.

Route 46 (Bondasca) After a massive landslide on Pizzo Cengalo on August 25th, 2017, Bondasca canyon has seemingly disappeared under tons of rocks and mud. There have been no further updates on the state of the canyon since.

Route 49 (Cormor) Over the past few years there have been a couple of instances when Cormor has been closed for dam maintenance/issues. It would be worth checking the AIC forum pages before visiting.

Route 65 (Tovanella) The canyon was re-bolted in July 2013.

Route 74&75 (Lumiei & Novarza) The dam can now be contacted on 0342 847212.

Route 77 (Viellia) Rigging has apparently improved in part 4, with double anchors on most obstacles.

Route 78&79 (Vinadia) Access/escape via the tunnel for the dam mid-descent is no longer possible (as of 2016).

Route 82 (Leale Inferiore) The canyon has been re-bolted to AIC standards (2013) and the access path described in the book is now out of bounds to the public. Another path has been devised (route not verified), which in fact sounds far more convenient: from Parking A, continue in the forest following the obvious path upstream that reaches the dam. Climb up the dam on the river-right bank (marked with the white & blue AIC ProCanyon signs). Continue in the river bed until it divides in two and cross the pool of water on your left that leads towards the final narrow section of the canyon. A little before this narrow section, on your right (river-left), hidden in the vegetation, starts the path (again marked) that climbs steeply. At the point where you clearly see the riverbed, follow the track down to the canyon (AIC signs marked on a rock). Once you reach the riverbed, walk upstream for a few tens of metres, until you reach the point where the Riu dal Boschet (another minor canyon in the area) enters into Leale. From here, the river can be descended to the start point of second section of the canyon (marked on the topo). To access the start of the first section, look for a faint path more of less opposite the confluence. The path starts in a steep climb and then flattens, but the path is not very clear due to vegetation. Descend towards the riverbed on an easy downhill path that reaches the arch over Leale and the start of the canyoning route.

Route 89 (Brussine) A new approach path has been devised (route not verified). From the pilon, follow the white & blue AIC ProCanyon markers, which descend steeply to the start of the canyon.

New guidebooks

Canyoning in Dolomiti e Dintorni, by Matteo Bortot & Roberto Sartor (Collana Mountain Geographic). Italian, with English translations.

Canyons du Haut Piémont Italien/Torrentismo in Alto Piemonte (2nd edition), Spéléo Club Vallée de la Vis. In French & Italian.

Reviews

'...the clarity of guidance and the sporting locations shown in the photographs mean that few cavers could resist. Take a look, take the challenge!'

Descent magazine Feb/ Mar 2013

'With the inclusion of just under 100 descents in five different regions spread over four countries, this book is well thought out and excellently presented. It provides enough information to keep keen canyoners busy for a very long time.

...All the details required for canyon tourism are there: from accommodation right down to the inclusion of basic regional information such as location of shops and banks.

And when it comes time to get wet and climb into an actual canyon, you are well and truly covered, with access, egress and of course, the descent itself covered in great detail.'

www.fatcanyoners.org Jan 2013

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