Foto di Franco Moro
It was only last year that CAI Chiavenna opened this excellent bivouac in one of the most beautiful and unspoilt valleys in the area. The somewhat inaccessible Val Aurosina is situated in Piuro on the left slopes of Italian Val Bregaglia. A combination of its ravine-like nature and a particularly rich vegetation has meant it has been able to resist Man’s impact over the years and it’s impossible not to be captivated by an intense, wild beauty. What’s more, the choice of location is no accident. Club Alpino Italiano volunteers understand very well that hikers prefer to be off the beaten track and chose to build a refuge in a particular place and form so that it sits almost symbiotically within its environment, using natural local materials of stone and wood.
Architect Franco Gallegioni has succeeded in preserving a genuine integrity with nature and the landscape.
The purpose of a bivouac could not be simpler. Hence here at Garzonedo (1943m) it’s fitted out with eight beds, blankets and a small hotplate. It’s essentially an overnight shelter for trekkers covering considerable distances over days, or walkers caught in a blizzard or violent storm. No stocks of food within but a stream nearby provides a water source.
It’s situated along the Via delle Pareti which links walking routes in upper Val Bregaglia as far as Val Codera. The ancient way is itself undergoing some serious improvements and other similar bivouacs are planned. Once the project is completed it will be possible to walk
from the slopes of Pizzo Badile to those of Pizzo di Prata, a 4-day outing following historic pathways along the left flank of Val Bregaglia.
The bivouac at Garzonedo is sure to prove popular in the coming summer months and there are several paths leading up. The most direct is that which leaves Santa Croce (Piuro). Park the car and follow the signs for the Crotto Quartino. The path then climbs up from a height of around 500m through the narrow gorge alongside the Aurosina torrent. First stop is the little hamlet of Tabiadascio at 1250m. Once beyond the woodland it’s important to follow the red/white path markers closely. It’s quite a demanding albeit gradual climb, twisting and turning all the way up to Garzonedo until you’re greeted by the red and white coloured door of the bivouac itself.
From here there are any number of possible excursions but experienced hikers can head off up towards the Bocchetta di Scilano at around 2200m. Alternatively there’s a route to the Lago del Grillo coming back down to Chiavenna via Uschione. Bear in mind it’s always useful to talk to a local mountain guide prior to setting out.
