Capanna Garzonera
The place
An alpine refuge ("rifugio") at 1973 m in the commune of Quinto (Ticino), at the heart of the Lepontine Alps (Switzerland). Built in 1982 and fully renovated in 1989. Run by the Ritom section of the SAT (Società Alpinistica Ticinese) — hence the full name "Rifugio Garzonera". Capacity of 20 beds spread over two floors, with a single dining room. Wood heating, lighting from solar panels. Open year-round and unguarded, open access. A notable spot on the high Lepontine plateaus, in the Pizzetto area (2277 m), reachable on winter snowshoes from Cassina-Quinto/Lurengo. A mineral and forested setting of the Ticino high plateaus: subalpine meadows, larch and arolla pine, views over the Gotthard massif and the Leventina valley. Emblematic wildlife: chamois, marmot, golden eagle, bearded vulture (reintroduced in the Alps in 1986). A historic Ritom stop and a stage of the Swiss Via Alpina.
Getting there
From Cassina-Quinto/Lurengo (Quinto, Ticino). Winter snowshoe access possible. Run by SAT Ritom.
The setting
Lepontine Alps, Ticino high plateaus (Quinto), near the Pizzetto (2277 m).
