Refuge 3A, from Riale

Access

From Domodossola VB continue to Val Formazza, past the Toce waterfall to Riale, the starting point.

Introduction

Beautiful excursion, with breathtaking views, easy but quite strenuous due to the altitude difference and development. The indicated route passes through the Bettelmatt Valley, producer of the famous cheese.

Description

At Riale (1740m), park near the Morasco dam. From here, walk along the lake of the same name on the right-hand side for its entire length, following the dirt track. Arrive in Morasco at the end of the lake, at the start of the cable car. Take the steep path to the right just before the end of the carriage road or follow the road and take the direct path to the Bettelmatt plain (north). Here, we will see the Gries Pass (2462m) in front of us to the north. Halfway across the Bettelmatt plain, turn left (west) at an alpine pasture (2112m) (Bettelmatt Alp), and the ascent to the Città di Busto hut (2482m) begins. From the hut, continue westwards, first on level ground and then losing a little altitude to reach the obvious path leading to the right-hand side of the Sabbioni dam. From here, continue slightly uphill to the west, keeping to the right of Lago dei Sabbioni. At the crossroads marked by a signpost, take the obvious path to the right on a steep (and strenuous) ascent to reach the 3A hut (2960m).
From the hut you can enjoy a beautiful, panoramic view of the Blinnenhorn and the Arbora and an aerial view of the Sabbione lake. (We also enjoyed delicious spaghetti and good wine).
The return follows the same route up to the Sabbione dam, from here cross the dam and via the obvious path that follows the cable car, reach Morasco and then Riale.