Piz Terri
3,149 m
Switzerland
- Elevation
- 3,149 m
- Prominence
- 390 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 2
WorksReported 1 Jun 2026
The Terrihütte reopened in summer 2026 after a rebuild by Gion A. Caminada (month not stated). Its winter room was closed for the works until mid-June 2026 and is open again from 22 October 2026 with 10 beds, blankets only, no running water.
terrihuette.ch
Routes
2Sources differ: T4+ (SAC route portal (normal route from the Terrihütte))
The SAC normal route: over Pass Diesrut to the Terrihütte (2,170 m) on the Greina plateau, then through Val Canal past Laghet la Greina to a saddle at 2,745 m, up loose scree to a short chain-protected chimney onto the west ridge and across the crumbly south-west flank to the summit cross. About 1,050 m and 4–5 hours from the hut.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 14.3 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,885 m
- −404 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 3,149 m
- Time Up
- 8h 53m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 6h 55m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From Vrin (bus) or the hamlet of Puzzatsch (1,667 m, bus alpin in summer) the marked path climbs to Pass Diesrut (2,428 m) in about 2½ hours, then drops to the Plaun la Greina and crosses the Rein da Sumvitg on the suspension bridge to the Terrihütte (2,170 m), about 3 hours in all. The alternative hut approach is through Val Sumvitg from Runcahez (3½–4 hours). From the hut follow the path east over the suspension bridge at Pt. 2193 and south across the Greina plain, then turn left (east) on a faint path into Val Canal. Keep to the north bank of the stream, cross it at about 2,340 m and climb grass and scree to the south-west shore of Laghet la Greina. At the end of the lake a small valley leads towards the dwindling Glatscher dil Terri; head south on slippery scree, pass Pt. 2748 on its north side and reach the saddle at 2,745 m, marked by upright stone slabs. A clear but steep, loose path then climbs towards Pt. 2898 on the west ridge, which is reached by a short, well-stepped chimney protected with a chain (the crux; hands needed for a few metres, awkward in snow or ice). Above, faint paths a few metres right of the crest cross the steep, crumbly south-west flank to the summit cross. Allow 4–5 hours from the hut. Markings are sparse (occasional white-blue-white); in Val Canal there are some paint marks and faint paths. Descend the same way, or from the saddle follow the marked alpine route down the Valle di Güida to the Capanna Motterascio (about 1½ hours from the summit). The rock on the whole summit block is poor; take care not to knock stones onto people below.
Start
Puzzatsch1,669 m
- Train to Ilanz, PostBus up the Val Lumnezia to Vrin; bus alpin (Greinabus) from Vrin to Puzzatsch from mid-June to mid-October. Alternatively bus alpin from Sumvitg to Runcahez for the Val Sumvitg approach.
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Puzzatsch → Camona da Terri | 7.1 | 847 | 344 | 4h 24m |
| 2 | Camona da Terri → Piz Terri | 7.2 | 1,039 | 59 | 4h 29m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Puzzatsch1,669 m
- Col: Pass Diesrut2,432 m
- Hut: Camona da Terri2,168 m
- Summit: Piz Terri3,149 m
Key Passages
- Stream crossing in Val Canal
- Slippery scree to the saddle at 2,745 m
- Chain-protected chimney onto the west ridge
- Exposed path across the crumbly south-west flank
Equipment
0/7 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
A pyramid of 3,149 m above the Greina plateau on the Graubünden–Ticino border. A T4 scramble on poor rock from the Terrihütte or the Capanna Motterascio, with a short chain-protected chimney as the only real difficulty.
Piz Terri rises at the eastern end of the Greina, the high plain between the Surselva and the Valle di Blenio that is protected as a landscape of national importance. Its regular pyramid dominates the view from the plain and gave its name to the SAC section and hut on the Graubünden side. Three huts surround it: the Terrihütte to the north-west, the Capanna Motterascio to the south and the Capanna Scaletta further west.
The ascent is an alpine walk on scree with one short scramble: a chain-protected chimney onto the west ridge, followed by a sloping, crumbly flank to the summit cross. The rock is poor throughout, and the small Glatscher dil Terri below the north side is disappearing. The reward is a broad view over the Greina, the Adula Alps and north to the Tödi.
The SAC suggests not limiting a visit to a single day; most people combine the peak with a night at one of the huts and a crossing of the Greina.
Climbing Notes
Plan two days: hut approach on day one (about 3 hours from Puzzatsch over Pass Diesrut, or 2 hours from the Luzzone dam to the Capanna Motterascio), summit and descent on day two. From the Terrihütte expect 4–5 hours and 1,050 m of ascent; from the Motterascio about 3 hours and 980 m.
You need sure-footedness on steep, loose scree, a head for heights in the exposed flank above the chimney, and route-finding in sparsely marked terrain. In early summer, snow in the chimney or on the flank makes it much harder; an axe and microspikes help. Wear a helmet if other parties are on the mountain, as the rock is very loose.
A traverse is popular: up from the Terrihütte and down to the Capanna Motterascio, or the reverse. Bus alpin services make one-way trips across the Greina practical in summer.
History
The first ascent is credited to the Benedictine monk Placidus a Spescha of Disentis and a companion in 1801 or 1802, probably by the west ridge from Vanescha. The second known ascent was on 30 August 1872 by Ernst Calberla with the alp owner Joseph Balthasar Casanova. The Terrihütte was first built in 1925 and reopened after a rebuild designed by the architect Gion A. Caminada in summer 2026.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; huts unstaffed
- Feb
- Winter conditions
- Mar
- Ski tours from Vrin or the Motterascio for experienced parties
- Apr
- Spring ski tours
- May
- Snow; huts closed
- Jun
- Bus alpin from mid-June; snow in the chimney and flank
- Jul
- Main season; Terrihütte staffed
- Aug
- Usually snow-free; afternoon storms
- Sep
- Stable weather; quieter
- Oct
- Terrihütte staffed until about 17 October (2026); early snow
- Nov
- Winter room only
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Terrihütte (94 places per SAC): book online via terrihuette.ch or +41 81 943 12 05. Capanna Motterascio (70 places, CAS Ticino): book directly with the hut.
- Fees
- Hut overnight fees
- Rules
- The Greina is a protected landscape of national importance; stay on paths and do not camp
- Sheep with livestock guardian dogs graze the Val Sumvitg in summer until the alpine descent in late September
- Getting There
Vrin (Val Lumnezia); Olivone (Valle di Blenio)
Zurich (ZRH) or Milan Malpensa (MXP)
- Train to Ilanz, PostBus to Vrin; bus alpin (Greinabus) Vrin – Puzzatsch from mid-June to mid-October
- Bus alpin from Sumvitg to Runcahez for the Val Sumvitg approach to the Terrihütte
- From Ticino: bus from Biasca to Olivone and on towards Campo Blenio; road to the Luzzone dam car park
Hazards
- Rockfall
- Exposure
- Weather
Huts & Shelters
2- 2,170 m
Camona da TerriHutStaffedBooking required
94 beds · Staffed July to mid-October (until about 17 October in 2026), partly in June, March and April; winter room otherwise
- 2,172 m
Capanna MotterascioHutStaffed
70 beds