Plizio Visual Lab

Piz Terri North

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

peak

Weather…

Piz Terri is a prominent mountain in the Adula Alps, situated on the border between the Swiss cantons of Graubünden and Ticino. Standing at 3149 meters, it forms the northeastern boundary of the Greina plateau, a protected highland of national significance. The northern face of the mountain is characterized by steep rock walls and cirques, which showcase the impact of glacial erosion over millennia. Geologically, Piz Terri is composed of metamorphic sediments from the Penninic nappes, specifically Bündnerschiefer, giving the peak its distinctive dark appearance. The first recorded ascent was made in 1801 by the naturalist Placidus a Spescha. Climbers typically start their ascent from the Terri Hut (2170 m), a key base for those exploring the Greina region. From the summit, one can enjoy spectacular views of the Adula massif and the Zervreila reservoir to the east.

Location: Switzerland
Top sights: Hireli · Piz Gren · Piz Cugn
Nearby: Vals (13 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-8	-8	-4	1	6	11	12	12	8	4	-2	-7
Rain mm	74	66	87	111	162	163	156	181	120	122	133	89

📋 Practical info

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Getting there

The north summit of Piz Terri is mostly accessible from the Greina plateau, which can be entered via Vrin in the canton of Graubünden. The approach requires a longer hike through alpine landscapes.

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Best season

The best time for visits is from July to September, when the Greina plateau is snow-free and the paths are clearly visible. In early summer months, the terrain can often be very wet and soft from snowmelt.

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Terrain & paths

The terrain at the north summit consists of steep rock formations and alpine meadows that require good surefootedness. Some passages can be exposed and demand experience in alpine high-altitude hiking.

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What to bring

Required are high-quality mountain boots, weatherproof clothing, and a map of the region for orientation in the vast terrain. Taking sufficient provisions is advisable due to the remoteness of the area.

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Parking

Parking spaces are usually found in Vrin or at official starting points for the Greina region. There are often shuttle services or hiking buses that transport hikers to the actual starting point of the trail.

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Safety

In the vast plain, orientation can become difficult in fog, so a GPS or compass is very helpful for safety. Sudden weather changes are possible at this altitude and should be considered in advance.

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Time needed

Due to the long approach across the plateau, you should plan seven to nine hours for a tour to the north summit. Many hikers use one of the surrounding mountain huts for an overnight stay to split the trip.

Geography

Coordinates

46.66000, 9.03000

Facts

The summit of Piz Terri reaches an elevation of 3149 meters above sea level.
Placidus a Spescha made the first recorded ascent in 1801.
The mountain sits on the municipal border of Lumnezia (GR) and Blenio (TI).
Geologically, it is part of the Penninic zone of the Central Alps.
Its topographic prominence is 390 meters relative to Piz Gufer.
In the 1980s, a proposed reservoir project on the Greina plateau was successfully blocked.