Valle Maggia: Maggia Valley and Side Valleys in Ticino
Hiking, swimming, sightseeing, enjoying in Vallemaggia – an excursion for the whole family
Valle Maggia / Maggia Valley & Side Valleys (Ticino, CH)
The Maggia Valley, Italian Valle Maggia, is traversed by the Maggia River and extends north from Locarno. In the upper part, numerous side valleys branch off, only some of which are inhabited. At the valley entrance, directly adjacent to Locarno, the Maggia is wide and shallow, inviting visitors to swim in summer. On sunny days, bath towels often line the banks here. It's worth arriving early or driving further into the valley. From Lakeview, you can reach the valley entrance in just over half an hour.
Valle Maggia at a glance
- Location: North of Locarno, Ticino (Switzerland)
- From Cannobio: a good 30 minutes to Ponte Brolla, about an hour to Bignasco
- Swimming: in the Maggia River, e.g., near Ponte Brolla and Maggia
- Worth seeing: Foroglio waterfall, Botta Church in Mogno, stone villages
- Side valleys: Val Bavona, Val Lavizzara, plus Valle Onsernone and Val Vergeletto
- Excursion tips: Robiei cable car, Bosco Gurin
Into the Valley
The further one penetrates into the Maggia Valley, the steeper the rocks lining the path become. Near Bignasco, the valley divides: into the wild Val Bavona and through the Val Lavizzara up to Fusio, the starting point for various hikes.
At the valley entrance near Ponte Brolla, the Centovalli also branches off, a densely forested landscape from which rugged rocks rise, inviting visitors to hike and linger. With the Centovalli Railway, you can travel from Locarno to Domodossola and enjoy the diverse landscape from the train.
Valle Onsernone and Val Vergeletto
Another nearby valley is the Valle Onsernone. The approach is via a well-maintained road shortly after the entrance to the Valle Maggia, crossing a bridge. In the Onsernone Valley, you will find hiking trails of various difficulty levels, great grottos, and many hidden treasures. It is particularly known for its villages on the southern slope, which, due to their special location, receive up to seven hours of sunshine even in winter. Here, too, you will find numerous well-preserved, typical Ticinese stone houses. From the Valle Onsernone, you can reach the Val Vergeletto, where a cable car runs from Zòtt to Salèi. Numerous hiking trails attract visitors here.
Sights in the Maggia Valley
- Ponte Brolla: the rocky gorge at the valley entrance with deep, green pools
- Maggia: the village that gives the valley its name, with the fresco-decorated church of Santa Maria delle Grazie
- Cevio: the main town of the valley with the valley museum
- Val Bavona: a valley full of stone villages, still largely without electricity, with the Foroglio waterfall and the Robiei cable car
- Mogno: the modern stone church by Ticinese architect Mario Botta in Val Lavizzara
- Bosco Gurin: the highest village in Ticino, with a small ski area in winter
Getting to the Maggia Valley from Cannobio
By car, drive from Cannobio along the lakeshore across the border to Brissago and continue via Ascona to Ponte Brolla, where the Maggia Valley begins. The journey takes just over 30 minutes to that point, and about an hour to Bignasco. Remember to bring your ID, as you will be entering Switzerland.
If you don't have a car, you can go via Locarno: from Locarno station, bus line 315 runs approximately every 30 minutes through the valley via Maggia and Cevio to Cavergno. The trip to Bignasco takes just under 50 minutes. You can find out how to get from Cannobio to Locarno on our Travel to Cannobio page.
Hiking in the Maggia Valley
Three tours that are perfect for a day trip from Cannobio, ranging from leisurely to sporty:
- Through the Val Bavona from Bignasco to San Carlo: The old valley path follows the Bavona and leads from one stone village to the next, past the Foroglio waterfall. You should allow a good four hours for the nearly 13 km with around 800 meters of elevation gain. Technically, the path is easy, just long. The bus takes you from San Carlo back to Bignasco. The tour is most beautiful from June to September, when there is life in the rustici in the valley.
- Lake loop from Robiei: From San Carlo, take the Robiei cable car up to nearly 2,000 meters; the cable car only operates during the summer season. At the top, an easy path connects Lago Bianco with Lago Nero, taking about two hours with views of the Basòdino glacier. Ideal for families who want to experience the high mountains without hiking uphill all day.
- To the Cascata del Salto waterfall in Maggia: The shortest tour: from the village of Maggia, it is only a 10 to 15-minute walk to the waterfall. If you want more, add the loop through the Valle del Salto, which is around 8 km and takes about four hours.
For all tours: good shoes, water, and a jacket belong in your backpack, as the weather in the mountains can change quickly even in summer.
Shopping Tip in Bignasco
In Bignasco in the Maggia Valley, you will find Punto Verde, a small rustico that sells a unique Valle Maggia pepper in addition to numerous wines, herbal blends, and jams. Highly recommended!
Swimming in the Maggia: Caution
The water of the Maggia is cold even in summer, and the river can rise very quickly after rain or due to the power plants further upstream. Pay attention to warning signs and never leave children unsupervised near the water.
After your excursion, you can enjoy a more relaxed and warmer swim at our private beach in Cannobio, just over 30 minutes from Ponte Brolla. You can stay with us in a mobile home on Lake Maggiore, a holiday apartment in Cannobio, or on a pitch for a motorhome, caravan, or tent.
Questions and answers
A valley in Ticino with hiking trails, swimming spots along the Maggia River, and traditional Ticino stone houses—a great destination for the whole family.