Source: 123rf
When you have to book a holiday you often come across competitive prices, but in destinations you have already visited many times before. What to do? If you are looking for a beautiful and still little-known place, Val Verzasca it could be the right solution for you. It is located in the Canton of Ticino and is characterized by breathtaking views, immersed in nature, where you can experience trekking routes and walks in the woods. There are many tourists who appreciate it and an estimated 300.000 visitors per year, the majority of whom go there for single day excursions.
How do you get to Val Verzasca?
Arrive in Val Verzasca it's pretty simple. The town to keep as a point of reference is Tenero. You get here by following the Como-Chiasso motorway and exiting at Bellinzona Sud, in the direction of Tenero-Contra. Once you arrive, simply follow the tourist signs to get there Verzasca Valley. Arriving by car, a large car park where you can leave your vehicle is located in the Posse area, from where the paths to the valley begin. For those arriving by public transport, however, from Locarno gods are gods bus, which leave directly from the station.
Trekking o relax?
As soon as you leave the car or get off the bus, the first thing you will see will be two dirt paths:
- One who goes towards the woods
- One who goes down to the river
Whatever choice you make, the environment is truly magical and relaxing. But let's find out together what these two tourist alternatives offer.
Towards the Val Verzasca river
It is a steep and uncomfortable road that leads to the river, where it is possible to take a bath, in transparent water that will amaze you. If you continue further, crossing the little bridge, in about 20 minutes you will find yourself in Lavertezzo, where is the famous Ponte dei Salti. It is a 1960th century structure, rebuilt where there was a Roman bridge. It has suffered various damages over time and its last reconstruction dates back to XNUMX.
Source: 123rf
Fonte: 123rf
Trekking in the Verzasca Valley
A second path, decidedly less tiring to follow, is the one that runs along the river. By staying on this path you will be able to observe the beauties of the Verzasca Valley, which are immortalized by photographers from all over the world. This route is also recommended for trekking lovers who love to stop and observe glimpses of nature that they offer dream paradises, a stone's throw from the city. If the path along the river restores the body, with the cold waters of the stream, this regenerates it from a visual point of view. The best period for this type of excursion is from March to November.
Beyond the paths of Val Verzasca
Don't think that trails are the only thing that the Verzasca Valley offers. It is dotted with stone houses, which enrich the panorama, already made magical by the canyon dug by fiume Verzasca. It is a rocky passage, crossed by very blue and very clear water. You won't believe your eyes when you notice how crystal clear this water is. In addition to nature, there are also some characteristic villages that you can visit during your stay in the Valley. Near Locarno there is the Marcacci Castle, from the medieval era. It was built by a powerful local family and, although it is known by the name of castle, it is more of a stately home, occasionally used as defence, which has a tower at each corner of its structure, surrounded by a large wall . A true jewel, located near the castle, is the parish church, which preserves inside it some 200th century frescoes from the Giottesque school. In Casa Generdini, in Sonogno, there is the Verzasca Valley Museum, which exhibits objects that tell the story of daily life in the area. The building itself is a historical testimony: it is a typical Verzasco house, built with beautiful gneiss stone.
La Cascata della Froda for true romantics
A gem that you shouldn't miss during your visit to Verzasca Valley in Canton Ticino, and the Cascade della Froda, in Sonogno. Here the river makes a leap of 80 meters and you can dream, walking with the person you love, come on wooden bridges that connect this wild place. Observe the reflections of light on the gneiss stone rocks, one of the most beautiful features of this valley, and notice how its green, blue and turquoise shades blend with the surrounding landscape, bringing to mind all the colors of that still uncontaminated nature.
Source: 123rf
Fonte: 123rf
Go bunjee jumping in the Verzasca Valley
Near the Verzasca Valley, on the way back to Italy, we meet a place that risk takers love: the Contra Dam. It is one of the highest dams in Europe, 220 meters high, which blocks the flow of the Verzasca river. It's the perfect place to do bunjee jumping, but also to shoot epic scenes for action films. He thinks that the opening scene of one of the James Bond films, Agent 007 with the license to kill, is set right here.
Unmissable stops in Val Verzasca
You are surely already preparing your itinerary in the Valley, so I want to remind you that I am here 3 stages that you absolutely must include in your journey. In addition to the Contra Dam, et al Salti bridge in Lavertezzo you must not miss an excursion on the Sentierone. It's about the cultural-hiking route most appreciated of the whole area, which offers wonderful views, which attract both photographers and nature lovers. Often, during your excursions, you will come across old mills, which until a few years ago were the main source of livelihood for the people who lived in the valley.
Val Verzasca a tavola
Food and wine tourism is becoming increasingly important and so is Val Verzasca, Switzerland does not miss the call, offering mouth-watering typical dishes. Are the Ticino grotti, the characteristic places where you can taste dishes based on cured meats, roasts or soups with typical local foods. Polenta by the fireplace and homemade mazza (salami and mortadella) and various cheeses are among the dishes served in one of the most popular grottos. A typical fruit of the area, the castagna, is used to produce bread, flour, cakes, but also beer and honey. Another thing to try is the good flour, made from corn. And to wash down each course a Merlot from Ticino or the local digestive, known as ratafià, very similar to nocino.
Local craftsmanship
After a nice hike and lunch in a grotto, you will want to have something to take home with you, in memory of a day in this splendid Swiss valley. You must know that local craftsmanship is based on processing of natural materials, such as wool, straw, wood or stone. In many shops you will be able to see how wool and hemp were processed. A typical product oflocal crafts they are the peduli, shoes that were made with overlapping layers of fabric and then sewn to the upper with a hemp thread.
Even a corner of Paradise can be dangerous
I paths of the Verzasca Valley, its bridges and its crystal clear waters create a fairytale landscape, but be careful, even in the most beautiful fairy tales there are always dangers lurking. First, remember that you are not on the beach, e.g the stones along the stream are slippery and sharp; the waters are freezing even in summer and can be lethal. Unfortunately, in fact, cases of people seriously injured or dead due to accidents that occurred in this valley are not uncommon. I also remind you that I am from avoid diving from bridges, because sometimes the water is visibly shallow. The only one high enough and suitable for the purpose is the Diving Bridge. In short, enjoy the location, but behave carefully. Another piece of advice I can give you is to always go to the tourist information points when you arrive in the valley, especially if there have been days of bad weather, to check that there are no routes that have been closed and are therefore inaccessible.
Story of the Verzasca Valley
Before concluding this guide, I want to give you some information on the history and geographical location of the Verzasca Valley. On the map of the Verzasca Valley is located between Levantina Valley and Val Maggia, and surrounded by mountains and Lake Maggiore. The first settlements in the area date back to the Neolithic, but the first evidence of a certain importance dates back to the 8th century BC. with the witches' stone (Sass of Striöi) a boulder engraved with crosses and footprints. In Tenero there is a Roman necropolis. It can be said that the Valley has always been inhabited, even if it has never played a leading role, perhaps due to its not very accessible location. However, this has allowed it to maintain its characteristics unchanged over the centuries.
