Capanna Gorda

Capanna Gorda is a mountain hut (capanna) located at 1,800 metres above sea level in the Blenio Valley, in the Swiss canton of Ticino. It stands on the territory of Aquila, part of the municipality of Blenio, at the edge of the Maiensäss Gòrda di Sopra, above the Blenio Valley. The area is part of the Lepontine Alps according to the SOIUSA classification, and the Gorda di Sopra nature reserve lies immediately to the south. The first hut was a simple wooden structure built in 1965. It was replaced in 2000 by the current two-storey building of masonry and wood, which was inaugurated that year. The modern hut has 30 beds, a dining room with 35 seats, a kitchen (wood- or gas-fired), modern sanitary facilities and showers. It is equipped with a wood heating system supported by solar panels, solar-cell lighting, and wind-powered electricity generation. Blankets are provided for the sleeping places. The hut is open daily until the end of October. It offers overnight stays, including a special "Gaia-Gorda Sotto le Stelle" room, and gift vouchers. It is run by Nadia and Alan Ochsner, who are listed as the contacts on the official website. The hut is a popular destination for hikers and is accessible via several marked trails of difficulty T1: from Fontanéit (1,590 m, reachable by car) in 40 minutes; from Aquila (740 m, reachable by public transport) in 3½ hours; from Ponto Valentino (715 m, reachable by public transport) in 3½ hours; and from Camperio (1,221 m, reachable by public transport) in 2 hours. The summit Punta di Larescia (2,194 m) can be reached in 1½ hours at difficulty T3. Neighbouring huts include Capanna Piandios (45 minutes), Capanna Dötra (2½ hours), Rifugio Gana Rossa (3 hours), Capanna Prodör (4 hours), and Capanna Pian d’Alpe (5 hours). As a mountain hut, Capanna Gorda operates as a hospitality business within the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) network, though it is privately managed. It provides essential services for hikers and nature lovers exploring the Blenio Valley and the surrounding Lepontine Alps. The hut's official website is available in Italian, and it maintains a presence on hiking platforms such as Hikr.org and Capanneti.ch. The hut is a member of the SAC hut network, and its information is listed on the SAC-CAS website.

The history of Capanna Gorda begins in 1965, when a simple wooden hut was built at 1,800 metres above sea level on the Maiensäss Gòrda di Sopra, above the Blenio Valley in the Swiss canton of Ticino. This first hut served as a basic shelter for hikers and herders in the region. In 2000, the wooden hut was replaced by a new two-storey building constructed of masonry and wood. This modern hut was inaugurated that year and remains in use today. It was designed to offer improved facilities, including 30 beds, a dining room with 35 seats, a kitchen with wood or gas firing, modern sanitary facilities and showers. The hut also incorporated sustainable technologies: a wood heating system supported by solar panels, solar-cell lighting, and wind-powered electricity generation. Blankets are provided for the sleeping places. The hut is privately managed by Nadia and Alan Ochsner, who are listed as the contacts on the official website. It operates as part of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hut network, though it is not owned by the SAC. The hut is open daily until the end of October, offering overnight stays, meals, and gift vouchers. A special room, "Gaia-Gorda Sotto le Stelle", is available for overnight stays under the stars. Over the years, Capanna Gorda has become a popular destination for hikers exploring the Blenio Valley and the Lepontine Alps. It is accessible via several marked trails of difficulty T1 from Fontanéit, Aquila, Ponto Valentino, and Camperio. The summit Punta di Larescia (2,194 m) can be reached in 1½ hours at difficulty T3. Neighbouring huts include Capanna Piandios, Capanna Dötra, Rifugio Gana Rossa, Capanna Prodör, and Capanna Pian d’Alpe. The hut is listed on hiking platforms such as Hikr.org and Capanneti.ch, and its information is available on the SAC-CAS website.

• 2000

  Current two-storey masonry and wood hut inaugurated, replacing the 1965 wooden hut.

• 1965

  First wooden hut built at 1,800 m on the Maiensäss Gòrda di Sopra.

A traditional mountain hut offering simple, sustainable hospitality in the Blenio Valley, catering to hikers and nature enthusiasts.

• Overnight stays

  30 beds available in dormitories and a special room.

• Meals

  Dining room with 35 seats, kitchen with wood or gas firing.

• Gift vouchers

  Idea Regalo available for purchase.

1. 1Capanna Gorda - Capanna Gordacapannagorda-sanda.ch
2. 2Informazioni legali - Capanna Gordacapannagorda-sanda.ch
3. 3Capanna Gorda - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Capanna Gorda - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org