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Monte Comino offers its visitors an unspoilt landscape. If you are looking for peace and relaxation, this is the place to be! But the Centovalli offers more. A special experience is the spectacular ride with the Centovalli train from Locarno to Domodossola. A visit to the many small villages in the hills is also worthwhile. Or a visit to the Dimitri Theatre in Verscio.
2-day hike
Day 1 - Intragna - Monte di Comio - 1009m - 3h25
The hike on the varying trail to Monte Comino starts in Intragna, the main village, at 357 m.a.s.l..
You can either take a small cable car up the first 300 metres to Costa or decide to walk.
From the Centovalli railway station, you first cross the narrow streets of Intragna until you reach a well-maintained path up the slope. The path climbs steadily but gently.
Just below Pila, the path turns left into the small gorge of the Ri du Mulitt. Here you will find an old flour mill with a large water wheel. In summer you can swim here. After crossing the Ri du Mulitt, you reach Costa via a counter-climb. (There is a mountain restaurant in Costa).
The path continues up to Selna at 884 m.a.s.l. Above Selna, the path leads into the chestnut forest of Mött Dürai until it passes beneath the settlement of Dröi, where it turns left towards Monte di Comino. There follows a rocky and slightly exposed passage with a fantastic view. In summer it can get very hot here! At the end of the trail, the first meadows of Monte di Comino appear at 1200 m.a.s.l. The sign points downhill to the cable car station and on to the Monte di Comino restaurant and mountain inn.
The hike on the varying trail to Monte Comino starts in Intragna, the main village, at 357 m.a.s.l..
You can either take a small cable car up the first 300 metres to Costa or decide to walk.
From the Centovalli railway station, you first cross the narrow streets of Intragna until you reach a well-maintained path up the slope. The path climbs steadily but gently.
Just below Pila, the path turns left into the small gorge of the Ri du Mulitt. Here you will find an old flour mill with a large water wheel. In summer you can swim here. After crossing the Ri du Mulitt, you reach Costa via a counter-climb. (There is a mountain restaurant in Costa).
The path continues up to Selna at 884 m.a.s.l. Above Selna, the path leads into the chestnut forest of Mött Dürai until it passes beneath the settlement of Dröi, where it turns left towards Monte di Comino. There follows a rocky and slightly exposed passage with a fantastic view. In summer it can get very hot here! At the end of the trail, the first meadows of Monte di Comino appear at 1200 m.a.s.l. The sign points downhill to the cable car station and on to the Monte di Comino restaurant and mountain inn.
2-day hike
Day 2 - Monte Comino - Pizzo Ruscada - Monte Comino (or further to Valle Onsernone) - 1295Hm - 6h20
From the Alla Capanna, walk to the small church of Madonna della Segna. Then turn left into the beech wood and climb towards the two peaks of Pizzin and Pianascio. The path then descends to the Pescia Lunga saddle. Continue uphill in the forest to Corte Nuovo, then turn right around a nameless knoll and back to the ridge. Continue along the north ridge, first up to Cappellone and then to the summit of Pizzo Ruscada, where a splendid view of Monte Rosa opens up.
Return to Comino the same way, but with a different panorama.
From Comino, a cable car or a 1.5h hike takes you to Verdasio.
From the Alla Capanna, walk to the small church of Madonna della Segna. Then turn left into the beech wood and climb towards the two peaks of Pizzin and Pianascio. The path then descends to the Pescia Lunga saddle. Continue uphill in the forest to Corte Nuovo, then turn right around a nameless knoll and back to the ridge. Continue along the north ridge, first up to Cappellone and then to the summit of Pizzo Ruscada, where a splendid view of Monte Rosa opens up.
Return to Comino the same way, but with a different panorama.
From Comino, a cable car or a 1.5h hike takes you to Verdasio.
Hiking
Monte Comino offers numerous hiking opportunities. A well-developed trail network invites you on simple pleasure tours or challenging mountain hikes.
A very special experience is the "Via del Mercato", the former market path from Intragna to Camedo, where once traders travelled with their mules from Italy to Ticino.
We also recommend the beautiful routes from Centovalli to Valle Onsernone or the more challenging tour to Pizzo Ruscada (2004 m.a.s.l.). From the summit you have a view of the Valais Alps with Mont Blanc and the Ticino Alps with Lake Maggiore.
A very special experience is the "Via del Mercato", the former market path from Intragna to Camedo, where once traders travelled with their mules from Italy to Ticino.
We also recommend the beautiful routes from Centovalli to Valle Onsernone or the more challenging tour to Pizzo Ruscada (2004 m.a.s.l.). From the summit you have a view of the Valais Alps with Mont Blanc and the Ticino Alps with Lake Maggiore.
Lamatrekking Monte Comino
With there llamas the family Bäschlin accompies you on a half-day / day / multi-day trekking through the marvellous scenery of the wild Centovalli. Starting points ist the Monte Comino.
Swing the world - The swing on Monte Aula
Reachable in approx. 40 minutes from the Monte Comino mountain station.
«Swing the World» is a project born with the aim of entertaining people in a creative way, stimulating them to spend time outside the walls of their homes, having fun outdoors.
The founders of this initiative «Swing the World» Elisa Cappelletti and Fabio Balassi are two young people from Ticino with a passion for photography and videomaking. During the lockdown period they came up with the spontaneous idea to produce handcrafting swings and install them in particularly suggestive places of Ticino. And so «Swing the World» was born.
They want to make known to the world the hidden, breathtaking and Instagrammable corners of the territory. All with an eye for ecology. Most of the materials for the creation of the «Swing the World» swings are from the region and are chosen and selected to make them integrate in the best way with the surrounding environment, supporting nature.
Through social media you can follow the project to stay up to date on all new and upcoming locations. The swing creates a perfect setting for a fairytale image, share your photography with them!
Sit back, breathe in the fresh air and let your emotions carry you away.
©ticino.ch
«Swing the World» is a project born with the aim of entertaining people in a creative way, stimulating them to spend time outside the walls of their homes, having fun outdoors.
The founders of this initiative «Swing the World» Elisa Cappelletti and Fabio Balassi are two young people from Ticino with a passion for photography and videomaking. During the lockdown period they came up with the spontaneous idea to produce handcrafting swings and install them in particularly suggestive places of Ticino. And so «Swing the World» was born.
They want to make known to the world the hidden, breathtaking and Instagrammable corners of the territory. All with an eye for ecology. Most of the materials for the creation of the «Swing the World» swings are from the region and are chosen and selected to make them integrate in the best way with the surrounding environment, supporting nature.
Through social media you can follow the project to stay up to date on all new and upcoming locations. The swing creates a perfect setting for a fairytale image, share your photography with them!
Sit back, breathe in the fresh air and let your emotions carry you away.
©ticino.ch
Guided tour "Discover Intragna"
Immerse yourselves in the fascinating historical village center of Intragna, at the entrance of Centovalli! Through an interesting cultural guided tour, you will discover its various aspects between past, present and future: from history to tradition, from culture to architecture, through politics, geology and a brief introduction to the Locarnese National Park Project. In particular, starting from the gracious piazza, you will visit the San Gottardo Church, which hosts an organ from the XIX Century, and the Museum of Centovalli and Pedemonte, which illustrates themes such as emigration and stories about chimneysweeps from Centovalli. Moreover, you will go up Ticino’s highest clock tower, at 65m. Finally, you will be able to visit the small Bottega Cento Rustici, where you will discover a variety of typical regional products: polenta flour, wine, distilled beverages and more.
Period: April - October
Duration: approx. 1 1/2 h
When: every Wednesday morning from 10.30 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Price: adults CHF 15.- per person,
children CHF 7.- per person
Maximum number of participants: 30
Information: Infopoint Centovalli and Pedemonte, Piazza Municipio, 6655 Intragna
phone 091 780 75 00 / e-mail: centovalli.info@bluewin.ch
Reservation: booking compulsory no later than 12:30 on Tuesday prior to activity
Meeting place: in front of Infopoint Centovalli in Intragna
The cultural guided tour, which takes place in all weather conditions, usually in German, but the guide also speaks Italian, French and English.
Period: April - October
Duration: approx. 1 1/2 h
When: every Wednesday morning from 10.30 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Price: adults CHF 15.- per person,
children CHF 7.- per person
Maximum number of participants: 30
Information: Infopoint Centovalli and Pedemonte, Piazza Municipio, 6655 Intragna
phone 091 780 75 00 / e-mail: centovalli.info@bluewin.ch
Reservation: booking compulsory no later than 12:30 on Tuesday prior to activity
Meeting place: in front of Infopoint Centovalli in Intragna
The cultural guided tour, which takes place in all weather conditions, usually in German, but the guide also speaks Italian, French and English.
Ponte Romano - Roman bridge - near Intragna
Constructed by the brothers Giuseppe and Pietro Beretta from Brissago in 1578, this valuable natural stone structure became a symbol of the Centovalli over time. Originally called the "New Bridge", the name changed to the more popular "Roman Bridge" as tourism increased.
Together with the bridge below the Salmina fraction near Corcapolo, it served as a crossing over the Melezza for people and animals climbing the many hills on the right side of the valley.
Its remarkable dimensions (36 metres long and 26 metres high), its architectural elegance and the surrounding area of steep, overhanging rock faces above the clear waters of the river, have made the Ponte Romano one of the most historically interesting testimonies of our region. In the middle of the bridge there is a small chapel dedicated to the Madonna and San Giovanni Nepomuceno, protector against dangers of the water. The Ponte Romano
is also one of the few bridges in the Locarno valleys that was not swept away by the floods in August 1978.
The Ponte Romano, which was completely restored in 1989 by Pro Centovalli e Pedemonte, is easily reached by a footpath that leaves the main road 500 metres after Intragna.
© Museo Regionale delle Centovalli e del Pedemonte
Together with the bridge below the Salmina fraction near Corcapolo, it served as a crossing over the Melezza for people and animals climbing the many hills on the right side of the valley.
Its remarkable dimensions (36 metres long and 26 metres high), its architectural elegance and the surrounding area of steep, overhanging rock faces above the clear waters of the river, have made the Ponte Romano one of the most historically interesting testimonies of our region. In the middle of the bridge there is a small chapel dedicated to the Madonna and San Giovanni Nepomuceno, protector against dangers of the water. The Ponte Romano
is also one of the few bridges in the Locarno valleys that was not swept away by the floods in August 1978.
The Ponte Romano, which was completely restored in 1989 by Pro Centovalli e Pedemonte, is easily reached by a footpath that leaves the main road 500 metres after Intragna.
© Museo Regionale delle Centovalli e del Pedemonte
Swimming in the Melezza
In addition to the better-known Maggia, there are many opportunities to swim in the Melezza, which flows through the Centovalli. For example, there is a beautiful sandy beach in Golino and a nice paddling pool above Intragna at the Ponte Romana (1578).
Caution is also advised when swimming in the Melezza. During heavy rainfall in the upper Centovalli, the water level can rise quickly. In addition, the weir may open at any time. Therefore, always keep an eye on the weather. If you notice a rise in the water level, leave the riverbed immediately.
The cute stream can quickly turn into a raging river!
set by quicksilver
Caution is also advised when swimming in the Melezza. During heavy rainfall in the upper Centovalli, the water level can rise quickly. In addition, the weir may open at any time. Therefore, always keep an eye on the weather. If you notice a rise in the water level, leave the riverbed immediately.
The cute stream can quickly turn into a raging river!
set by quicksilver
Rasa
The pedestrianised village of Rasa sits at an altitude of 900 metres on a sunny natural terrace surrounded by meadows and forests. Immersed in an idyllic fairy-tale setting, Rasa has a romantic and beautifully well-kept centre. The stone houses that encircle its church and the flowerbeds in its well-tended gardens are authentically picturesque. The village is inaccessible by car; it can only be reached on foot along hiking trails or with a five-minute cable car ride from Verdasio.
It is well and truly hard not to fall under Rasa’s spell. Here, the smells of alpine woodland mingle with floral scents from immaculately kept gardens. It's as if you've stepped back into another century, a different world: Rasa is the only village left in Ticino that is inaccessible by road. Until 1958 – when the cable car was built – it could only be reached on foot, cut off from the world. There are plenty of picnic spots where you can admire the surrounding mountains and feel immersed in the peaceful, silent and timeless atmosphere of the high mountains, despite the lower altitude. But you can also stop at a grotto for a typical meal and a refreshing drink.
Thanks to its uniqueness and privileged views, Rasa has also been chosen as the home for a Swing the World swing.
Rasa offers access to a wide range of hikes in the Centovalli.
©ticino.ch
It is well and truly hard not to fall under Rasa’s spell. Here, the smells of alpine woodland mingle with floral scents from immaculately kept gardens. It's as if you've stepped back into another century, a different world: Rasa is the only village left in Ticino that is inaccessible by road. Until 1958 – when the cable car was built – it could only be reached on foot, cut off from the world. There are plenty of picnic spots where you can admire the surrounding mountains and feel immersed in the peaceful, silent and timeless atmosphere of the high mountains, despite the lower altitude. But you can also stop at a grotto for a typical meal and a refreshing drink.
Thanks to its uniqueness and privileged views, Rasa has also been chosen as the home for a Swing the World swing.
Rasa offers access to a wide range of hikes in the Centovalli.
©ticino.ch
Bordei & Terra Vecchia
The Terra Vecchia Villaggio Foundation aims to preserve the two villages of Bordei and Terra Vecchia in such a way that their economic and cultural integrity can be maintained and revitalised through social projects of public benefit. The properties of the foundation are the basis for contemporary, vital communities and projects. They are available as a place to live/work for children, young people and adults who feel endangered or unprotected in today's world and form a centre for cultural exchange.
©terravechiavillagio.ch
©terravechiavillagio.ch
farina bóna
The farina bóna
Farina bóna is a traditional product of Onsernone Valley (Canton Ticino).It is a corn flour (Zea corn) obtained by very finely grinding the corn grains which have been previously toasted. In the past it was part of everyday diet of Onsernone people, and it was mixed with milk, water or wine. After World War II, the food habits of the population changed, and along with that, the importance of Farina bóna faded. At the end of the Sixties, when the last millers of the valley (Annunziata Terribilini and Remigio Meletta) retired, its production was fully abandoned. The initiatives and the researches carried out 1991 by the Onsernone Museum after the restoration of the mill in Loco, succeeded in retrieving from memory this old product and in slowly restoring its production. Ten years later the mention in the Ark of Taste of Slow Food, the engagement of some private citizens and of the school of the valley allowed to deepen the historical knowledge of this product and laid the foundation to increase the production and the promotion of Farina bóna also beyond the borders of Onsernone Valley.
©farinabona.ch
Farina bóna is a traditional product of Onsernone Valley (Canton Ticino).It is a corn flour (Zea corn) obtained by very finely grinding the corn grains which have been previously toasted. In the past it was part of everyday diet of Onsernone people, and it was mixed with milk, water or wine. After World War II, the food habits of the population changed, and along with that, the importance of Farina bóna faded. At the end of the Sixties, when the last millers of the valley (Annunziata Terribilini and Remigio Meletta) retired, its production was fully abandoned. The initiatives and the researches carried out 1991 by the Onsernone Museum after the restoration of the mill in Loco, succeeded in retrieving from memory this old product and in slowly restoring its production. Ten years later the mention in the Ark of Taste of Slow Food, the engagement of some private citizens and of the school of the valley allowed to deepen the historical knowledge of this product and laid the foundation to increase the production and the promotion of Farina bóna also beyond the borders of Onsernone Valley.
©farinabona.ch
Lago Maggiore
You must have seen these magnificent places on Lake Maggiore.
There are so many things to see and do! Just get over there.
The many stories of the beach promenades alone would fill a book.
The tourist offices will provide you with all the necessary information. Useful information can be found here in the links:
There are so many things to see and do! Just get over there.
The many stories of the beach promenades alone would fill a book.
The tourist offices will provide you with all the necessary information. Useful information can be found here in the links:
Centovallina
Experience an exciting day. 348 curves, 83 bridges, 34 tunnels.
The Centovalli Railway runs from Locarno through Centovalli to the Italian border, then through Valle Vigezzo to Domodossola.
The Centovallina, as the people of Ticino say, is an example of pioneering spirit and engineering at the beginning of the 20th century.
The journey leads through the enchanting "Hundred Valleys", along deep gorges and crevices, over impressive bridges and through chestnut forests.
The Centovalli Railway runs from Locarno through Centovalli to the Italian border, then through Valle Vigezzo to Domodossola.
The Centovallina, as the people of Ticino say, is an example of pioneering spirit and engineering at the beginning of the 20th century.
The journey leads through the enchanting "Hundred Valleys", along deep gorges and crevices, over impressive bridges and through chestnut forests.
Valle Maggia und Valle Onsernone
The Onsernone valley is north of Centovalli. It is considered one of the most impressive valleys on Lake Maggiore. There are dark forests and wild gorges.
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