Summit experience T4 - Piz Gannaretsch

We take a taxi into the Val Nalps to the reservoir. Val Nalps was formerly a lonely but fertile alpine pasture until the sixties when construction machines came and a dam was built. The reservoir belongs to the Vorderrhein power station, which has since supplied electricity to countless households.

At the height of the Cuolm Nalps alp, we leave the marked hiking trail and look for the trail marks that lead us southward, parallel to the reservoir into the valley. Jagged rocks hang above us on the left, below our feet are alpine meadows, and repeatedly we cross small ditches or streams. At Stavel da nuorsas we reach a moraine that extends quite long. On this, we quickly gain altitude and enter more and more into the glacier forefield of the "Glatscher da Gannaretsch". It is either slippery or we overcome ice-stream polished rocks; occasionally we encounter small ponds and mossy areas.

We head towards the glacier and stay on the right side of the ice. Caution is advised. In early summer, we still find firn that eases the ascent somewhat; later the glacier is mostly bare. We reach the Fuorcla Gannaretsch. On a ridge, we overcome the last heights to the summit. It is demanding. Loose stones complicate the ascent. But then we are at the top and all around is just air!

Back to the Fuorcla, we must descend the same path again. Then we cross sparse meadows and partly very rocky terrain. It is a barren landscape. We pass the "Lai verd", which is truly green. Our next goal is point 2723, which we must reach to descend to Lai Blau. The vegetation increases, and we find trail marks again leading down to "Lai blau". It is really blue. In summer, there is only one remedy for tired limbs: a jump into the fresh water! In autumn, we prefer to stay dry and find a nice spot on the shore of the lake.

The rest of the route, again on the white-red marked hiking trail over the Rondadura alpine pasture to the Lukmanier pass road, is comfortable and scenic. Once we see the Santa Maria reservoir, it is not far. The post bus takes us to Disentis, and the train back to Sedrun.

Important: From mid-October, no post buses run to the Lukmanier pass anymore.

If you find crystals on the way, you may take them with you. Only if you are using a hammer or chisel do you need a rock collector’s permit.

From the Nalps reservoir, we follow the marked hiking trail towards Cuolm Cavorgia. At the height of the Cuolm Nalps alpine hut, we look for the trail marks that lead southward below the rocks. We cross the Aua dils Cotschens and other small ditches and streams. Up the large moraine to the glacier edge. Right of the glacier to the Fuorcla da Gannaretsch. Left over the ridge up to the summit. Back to the Fuorcla on the same path. Then always southwards through difficult, rocky terrain to Lai verd, then descent into a hollow, after which it goes to point 2723. We now see the Lai blau and find trail marks again. From Lai blau, we hike on the marked hiking trail to the Santa Maria reservoir. The post bus stop is located a few meters before the gallery.