After a sweaty hike on reptile paths through a historical cultural landscape, you find yourself on the Pizzo Coca (2222 m) and are glad you don't have to walk down into the valley.
Directions
From Zurich by train and bus within 3 1/2 hours to Giumaglio, the starting point of our tour.
Ascent
From the Giumaglio bus stop at 353 m, continue on foot. In the village, there are two options up to Arnau (1108 m): steep and sunny via Cappella die Cima, or a little less steep and through the historic chestnut forest via Berzona. This first part is quite challenging. From Arnau (there is a fountain there) you have the same choice again: sunny via Costa and Alpe die Spluga, or following the Valle and Riale di Giumaglio on stone paths in the beech forest up to Cortone. We chose the shady option in each case. The stream (Riale die Giumaglio) offers beautiful pools for swimming and cooling off. In Cortone you can fill your water bottles for the last time before climbing steeply through blueberries and junipers to the tree line and to Due Laghi (2010 m). There is no path up to Pizzo Coca! From Due Laghi you have to improvise. The terrain is steep. We recommend the traverse to the south side and the ascent via the western subsidiary peak. Knee-high juniper trees ensure an unforgettable finale.
Hiking time about 5-6 hours. Sweaty and steep, especially near the summit.
Takeoff
Starting directly from the summit is possible in ideal conditions, but not particularly recommended. We started about 100 m below the western secondary summit, here. It's quite challenging due to the large amount of undergrowth, but doable with a little updraft in a southwesterly direction.
Flight / Landing
Beautiful flight back over Costa and Arnau into the Maggia Valley. Be careful of the valley wind, it can be strong, and power lines, there are a few of them. The landing meadows in Giumaglio are small and lined with power lines, trees and the main road, and are tricky in valley winds. The floodplains of the Maggia are recommended. For example, between Giumaglio and Someo. Landing is on rocks and it is advisable to choose a suitable section of the bank when walking up.
Weather / Airspace
As always, good weather and map studies are essential, as is a plan B in case of adverse starting conditions (Alpe di Spluga). The DABS is of course also part of this. On the Alpe di Spluga (1838 m) you can eat and spend the night in an unmanned mountain hut. This point is well suited for two-day tours to the peaks of this wonderful area.
Conclussion
Strenuous and demanding, but the hike in this landscape is worth every drop of sweat. The area is home to various species of snakes, and with a bit of luck and good weather you might see one of these shy animals. Mostly, however, it is smaller species of lizards that rustle for cover as you approach. Be aware of the valley wind and power lines in the Maggia Valley.
