Pizzo della Casa

Route Description for Pizzo della Casa

The start of the hike is at the Splugen Pass border to Italy. Park your car about 200 m from the border crossing to Italy. This trail gets very rocky, so good footwear is a must. Remember to bring euros if you want to eat at a restaurant on the Italian side.

The trail is hard to navigate without GPS as some of the painted trail signs are hard to see among the rocks. Keep an eye on your track to stay on-trail. Although dogs are allowed, we don’t recommend bringing them as the rocky path can be sharp at times.

From the parking lot, follow the GPS track to the start of the trail (2,117 m). The trail starts on the Swiss side of the border and ascends the side of Montespluga. After 1 km you will arrive at the first alpine lake, Burgseeli (2,311 m). About1.7 km from the start, you will hit the highest point of the hike at 2,438 m where the trail crosses into Italy.

Right after the highest point is the larger second lake, Lago Azzurro (2,430 m). The trail will hug the side of the lake and then descend southward. You will see Lago di Montespluga in the distance to the south. The trail gets very rocky and the trail signs painted on the rocks can get difficult to spot here. If you lose sight of the trail signs, reference your GPS to stick to the trail.

The trail will eventually hit a road at the base of the mountain. Turn right and walk along the road until you reach the village of Montespluga (1,909 m) about 4.5 km from the start of the hike. There are restaurants in Montespluga, La Capriata, right by the lake lake that serve good pizza and pasta 9perfect hiking fuel!).

From Montespluga village, follow the GPS track to find the trail that ascends northward on the left side of the road. As you ascend back to the Swiss border, you will have a view of Pizzo della Casa (2,523 m) to the east. About 6.4 km from the start of the hike, the trail will cross the road and continue on the right side of the road northward to the Swiss border.

If you want a less strenuous hike, you can turn around after you hit the first or second alpine lake. If you want a more challenging hike, you can reverse the route which will mean scrambling up the rockiest part of the trail.

Insider Hints for Pizzo della Casa

• This is a great birdwatching trail, so bring binoculars if you’re inclined.
• Bring your passports just in case, as you’ll be crossing the border back and forth.