Ghirone is a hamlet in the municipality of Blenio in the Canton of Ticino and the Blenio District. It lies at an elevation of 1,240 metres above sea level. Until 21 October 2006, Ghirone was an independent municipality; on 22 October, it merged with Aquila, Campo, Olivone and Torre to form the new municipality of Blenio. The hamlets of Aquilesco/Dauresco, Scalvedo, Baselga, Cozzera and Buttino are associated with Ghirone. When finding your bearings, it helps to distinguish between Ghirone as a place and Blenio as a municipality.
Landscapes between Greina and Luzzone
Beyond Ghirone lie Val Camadra and the Greina plateau. Greina is a protected alpine landscape listed in the Swiss Federal Inventory of Landscapes of National Importance. The artificial Lake Luzzone lies mostly within the territory of Ghirone. This brings together two distinct landscape features: the protected plateau beyond the village and the artificial lake, which lies mostly within its territory.
Winter sports in Campo Blenio-Ghirone
The Campo Blenio-Ghirone ski area has ski lifts for alpine skiing, a natural ice rink and a 4.5-kilometre cross-country ski trail. The facilities offer a range of winter activities: skiing, cross-country skiing and ice skating. You can choose the focus of your winter stay according to your preferred sport, rather than treating the three offerings as a single programme.
Hiking: distinguish between the loop and the starting point
The Campo Blenio Saracino is an easy winter loop suitable for adults and children. It leads to Ghirone (Aquilesco) and then back to Campo Blenio. The Giro della Greina starts in Ghirone. When choosing between the hikes, the route format is a useful distinction: the Saracino includes a loop and a return to Campo Blenio, while Ghirone is the starting point for the Giro.
Church and local history
The parish church of Saints Martino and Giorgio stands in Baselga. It was rebuilt in the 18th century; the present-day Baroque building was constructed around 1700 on the foundations of its predecessor. Its architectural history thus links its current Baroque form with an earlier building.
Avalanches are also part of the history of these places. Baselga, then a hamlet of Ghirone, was destroyed by an avalanche in March 1851. In the winter of 1950/1951, further avalanches affected the settlement of Cozzera and agricultural buildings in Buttino. These events occurred decades apart and affected different places.
Plan your summer connections
During the summer season, Autolinee Bleniesi provides connections from Ghirone to Pian Geirett or Luzzone. This seasonal service complements the winter activities with a specific summer connection. Check the current timetable before travelling. Seasonal travel options therefore differ too: winter hiking and winter sports are complemented by summer bus services.
Discover more destinations: Acquacalda, Dongio, Blenio, Olivone, Acquarossa, Lottigna, Semione, Prugiasco.
Back to the main travel overview: Blenio.
