BoBosco hiking trails with ball tracks (Verzasca Valley)

BoBosco Verzasca Valley marble run - the family experience in Ticino between Lake Maggiore and Lake Maggiore

If you are on vacation at Lake Maggiore or Lake Maggiore and are looking for an unforgettable family adventure, you should definitely discover the BoBosco marble run in the Verzasca Valley. This unique nature experience combines hiking, playing and amazement in a way that will delight children and adults alike. The Verzasca Valley is just under an hour away from Lakeview Cannobio and is one of the most popular excursion destinations in Ticino. A fascinating landscape with rugged cliffs, the beautiful green Verzasca River and famous sights such as the dam wall from the James Bond film "Goldeneye" (where the famous James Bond bungee jump is still possible today) make the Verzasca Valley a great excursion destination.  

What is the BoBosco marble run?

BoBosco is a lovingly designed hiking trail with over twenty spectacular wooden ball tracks built along the hiking trail. The track modules are made entirely of wood and blend harmoniously into the wild nature of the Verzasca Valley. At each stage, children can let their wooden ball roll over artfully carved ramps, bridges and spirals - often accompanied by the sound of the turquoise Verzasca river.

The concept stems from an idea to combine nature and exercise in a playful way. "BoBosco" stands for "Bola" (ball) and "Bosco" (forest) - in other words, the ball in the forest. This is exactly what visitors can expect: a natural adventure full of surprises and discoveries.

Two different hiking trails - ideal for families

The BoBosco ball track in the Verzasca Valley can be experienced on two different routes - both are family-friendly, well signposted and offer numerous rest areas and bathing spots in the river.

1st path Sonogno - Gerra Verzasca

The first trail leads from Sonogno to Gerra Verzasca. It is around 4.3 kilometers long and can only be hiked in two sections: Sonogno - Frasco (approx. 2km) and Frasco - Gerra (approx. 2.3km). The route mostly follows the old mule track along the Verzasca, through small villages, over suspension bridges and past 10  BoBosco ball track stations. Along the way, picnic areas, waterfalls and shallow spots in the river invite you to linger and splash around. There is a lovely children's playground at the starting point in Sonogno. The old mountain village of Sonogno is a beautiful starting point and well worth a visit. There are plenty of parking spaces available in Sonogno. The BoBosco hiking trail from Sonogno to Gerra is rather more extensive and also easy to manage for small children.  

2nd route Brione Verzasca - Lavertezzo

The second BoBosco hiking trail from Brione Verzasca to Lavertezzo is even more beautiful for us. This route is around 5.5 kilometers long and can be completed in three sections: Brione - Ganne (approx. 0.9km). Ganne - Motta (approx. 1.5km) and Motta - Lavertezzo (approx. 3.1km). The total distance can be covered in 3-4 hours - including breaks at the wooden ball tracks. The 13 ball track elements are a little closer together here, so that children can always discover something new. The famous Ponte dei Salti, the double stone bridge of Lavertezzo, awaits visitors at the end - a highlight and perfect photo stop. In summer, the Verzasca invites you to swim here, but you will also find beautiful and often secluded bathing spots along the route. The route from Brione to Lavertezzo is a little narrower, but we found it even more scenic than the first route. There is a large parking lot in Brione, in Lavertezzo the parking situation is very difficult, especially in summer.  

The following applies to both hiking routes:

You will need good footwear. Please keep an eye on your children everywhere - the paths are easy to walk on, but many rocks invite you to climb, which should not happen unsupervised. The Verzasca is a wild river and can rise unexpectedly and quickly in higher places due to inflows or rain. Children should never be left unattended, especially when swimming and splashing around!  

The hiking trails can be walked "one way", with the Swiss Postbus you can get back to the starting point easily and cheaply. You can find the timetables here.