Centovalli Railway: by train through the hundred valleys

Stations along the way

Santa Maria Maggiore is the main town of Valle Vigezzo. The Museo dello Spazzacamino tells the story of the chimney sweeps who, as children, used to move from the valley to the big cities of Europe. In the Casa del Profumo, you will learn that Eau de Cologne has its roots here: Giovanni Paolo Feminis from the valley developed the recipe, and Giovanni Maria Farina made it famous as Eau de Cologne. The valley is also called “Valle dei Pittori” because many painters lived here.

In Re stands the large pilgrimage site Madonna del Sangue. According to legend, a painting of Mary here bled in 1494 after being hit by a stone. The construction of the current church began in 1922. Shortly thereafter, the train crosses the border near Camedo, which runs exactly in the middle of a bridge arch. In Centovalli, the route then becomes spectacular: between Verdasio and Corcapolo, the train travels over the Val d’Ingiustria viaduct directly from one tunnel into the next. In Intragna, a stop is worthwhile for the 65-meter-high church tower, the highest in Ticino. Over 166 granite steps, you can climb up for a panoramic view of the Centovalli. The regional museum in the village also commemorates the chimney sweep children from the valley.

Arrival in Locarno

After just under two hours, you reach Locarno, the terminus of the Centovalli Railway. This charming town on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore is a popular destination. Here you can stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, visit the Piazza Grande, or take a boat trip on Lake Maggiore.

For railway enthusiasts

The Centovalli Railway is not only an experience for nature and culture lovers but also for railway enthusiasts. Around 685,000 passengers used the railway in 2022; it is particularly popular in autumn when the forests change color and Italians call it “Treno del foliage.” Over short sections, it overcomes gradients of up to 6%. In addition to modern panoramic trains with large windows, historical vehicles are also used on the route for special occasions.

Hiking from Verdasio

The Centovalli Railway offers not only a charming backdrop but also numerous opportunities for outdoor activities. Many stations along the route invite you to stop for a hike. Directly at Verdasio station in the Swiss part of the route, two cable cars start, one to Rasa and one to Monte Comino, both excellent starting points for beautiful hikes. However, the cable car to Rasa, the last car-free village in Ticino, has been closed for renovation since January 2026 and is expected to reopen in spring 2027. The cable car to Monte Comino (around 1,200 m) starts about 100 meters from the station, runs daily from 9 AM to 6 PM every 30 minutes, and takes just under 7 minutes. Tip: take the cable car to Monte Comino, with a stop at “Alla Capanna,” a very beautiful grotto with a fantastic view from the terrace and very fine homemade polenta. From there, you can hike back to Verdasio in about 90 minutes, past a small picturesque church in a forest clearing. And after the hike and train ride, we recommend relaxation at the Lido Locarno swimming pool.

Tickets and practical tips

For day-trippers, there is the Locarno–Domodossola tourist ticket: round trip in 2nd class, valid for two days, with one stop per direction, from CHF 31 per person. Half-Fare Card and Junior Card are not valid for this; the Ticino Ticket offers a discount. A surcharge of CHF 1.50 or Euro is added for panoramic trains, payable on board. A seat reservation is not included but recommended; for eight or more people, it is mandatory. Because the route crosses the border, a passport or ID card should be carried. The new trains have family areas with space for strollers as well as places for wheelchairs; up to four bicycles per train are allowed. The SBB timetable shows which services operate with panoramic trains.

Getting there from Cannobio

From Lakeview, the easiest way to start is in Locarno: by car, it takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic, and during the season, the boat also runs. Alternatively, you can drive through the Valle Cannobina up to Valle Vigezzo and board, for example, in Santa Maria Maggiore.

Whether you board in Locarno or in the Valle Vigezzo: Cannobio is located right in between. With us, you stay on the lake, in a mobile home in Cannobio, in a holiday apartment on Lake Maggiore, or on a pitch for your motorhome.

Timetable and further information on the Centovalli Railway