Sasso Grande - Denti della Vecchia (Ticino, Switzerland)

In the south of Tessin / Ticino to the east of Lugano you can find a ridge of dolomite rocks called Denti della Vecchia, translated Hag's Teeth, sometimes also known as Canne d'Organo / Organ Pipes. The towers are located on the border between Switzerland and Italy, the ridgeline between Monte Bre in the west and Cima di Fojorina in the west. They dominate Val Sonvico in the south and attract attention thanks to their vertical rock faces which tower high above the valley.Their appearance of rotten teeth is misleading. The dolomite rock is rock solid with lots of good holds so that early on the Denti della Vecchia have been established as the first climbing area of Switzerland's southernmost canton Tessin / Ticino. Today they constitute Switzerland's southernmost climbing area with a multitude of routes in 31 different sectors.

The highest of the towers is Sasso Grande, which reaches 1492m. Unlike the other towers it can be reached by a moderate but exposed UIAA II+ scramble through the east face, often making use of dwarf pines for protection. A hiking trail winds between the towers, often making use of ledges around them. It is very popular among hikers and there is no Tessin / Ticino Guidebook which leaves out this hike.

The Denti della Vecchia are formed by an old geological coat: that of the triassic period which is composed of dolomite. Between the Denti and the Pairolo Hut you find conglomerates Verrucani dating back to a time even more remote. In the bottom of the valley line of Val Colla, there are rocks covered by gravel, sand and clay that were originally ancient moraines of the ice age.