340
93. From Disentis to Biasca. Lukmanier.
Comp. Maps, pp. 332, 94, 346.
3S M. Diligence in summer daily in 8'/4 hrs. (from ISiasca to Disentis
in 1(1 hrs.); fare 13fr. 10c.
The Lukmanier (6289') is the lowest Alpine pass from Switzerland to
Italy with the exception of the Maloja (5941'). The lower part, of the
new road, as far as Curaglia, vies in grandeur with the Via Mala and
the Schynstrasse, but the scenery farther on is not striking. Inns un¬
pretending.
The road crosses the Vorder-Rhein by a handsome bridge (34S8')
and enters the Val Medel, the wild ravine of the Mittel-Rhein,
through which it is carried by means of cuttings and tunnels (eleven
as far as Curaglia). At the end of the ravine, of which we obtain
several striking views, we cross (23 4 M.) to the right bank of the
Rhine and ascend in long windings (cut off by paths) to (3/4 M.) —
3!/2 M. Cnraglia (4370'; Post), a village at the entrance to the
Val Plattas, which ascends to the S.E. to the Medel Glacier. (Over
the Lavazjoch to Somvix, p. 336.) To the S., at the head of
the Val Medel, appears the Piz Cristallina (10,267'), with its
glacier. — *Piz Muraun (3hrs.; repaying), see p. 337.
Following the right side of the pleasant Val Medel, the road
passes(1 l/t M.)Platta(4528'; Post), a straggling village, the ham¬
lets of Pardi, Fuorns (at the mouth of a torrent descending from
Piz Cristallina), and Ada (on the left bank), and (2'/4 M-) —
7 M. Perdatsch (5093'), at the mouth of the Val Cristallina.
The wild Val Cristallina, noted for its cheese, contains several line
waterfalls, particularly in the Hbllenschlund (Val Ufiern). From the. head
of the valley two easy passes, the Passo Cristallina (78S7'l passing the Lago
Retico (7802'), and the Ufiern Pass (8727'), between the Cima Camadra and
the Cima Carina, lead to Olivone (see below). — The Piz Cristallina (10.367';
i'Ajhrs.; ^ood guide necessary) is ascended from Perdatsch by the Col
Cristallina (not to be confounded with the Passo Cristallina) without diffi¬
culty. Grand survey of the Medel and Rheinwald Mts. Piz Ufiern (10,346';
5'/2 hrs.) is more difficult. — The Piz Medel (10,510'; 6 hrs.) is best as¬
cended from the Val Plattas on the N. side; a night is spent on the Alp
Sura (p. 336), 2 hrs. from Curaglia; thence to the top 4 hrs. (trying).
Above Perdatsch the Rhine forces its way through the rocks to
a lower part of the valley. The road ascends by a long bend to
St. Gion (5298'), a group of hovels with a hospice, and traverses
a wild, rock-strewn valley, scantily overgrown with grass, willows,
and the Alpine rose. The hospice of St. Gall (5514') is passed on
the opposite bank. By the Alp Scheggia we cross to the left bank
and reach (5 M. from Perdatsch) the hospice of —
12 M. S.Maria (6043'; *Inn), anciently called Sancta .Maria
'in loco magno', whence perhaps the name of the pass.
To the E. of the hospice rises the Scopi (10,499'; ' Tschupc', summit,
or crown), from the midst of glaciers ; steep stony ascent from the hos¬
pice (4 hrs.), very fatiguing, but free from danger; extensive view. —
Less laborious is the ascent of Piz Rondadura (9905'), to the W., an ad¬
mirable point of view (3>/2 hrs.).
From S. .Maria to the Hdtel Piora (3 hrs.; guide 10, horse 25 fr.) and
Airolo, see p. 98. — Over the Rondadura Pass to the Vol Nalps, see
p. 338.
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