Pianezzo lies in the lower Valle Morobbia and includes the hamlet of Paudo. For planning a trip, hiking trails starting at the Policentro and notable traces of the village’s history are key points of interest. If you would like to divide your time between outdoor activities and culture, you can take these different themes into account when choosing where to stay.
Hiking trails starting in Pianezzo
The K14 Trail della Croce starts at the Policentro in Pianezzo. Its route passes through Paudo and then continues to Pian Dolce. The K33 Trail del lupo starts at the Policentro in the Valle Morobbia in Pianezzo; the Morobbia Trail WALK also starts at the Policentro in Pianezzo. Paudo and Pian Dolce are the named points along the K14 route, while the Policentro serves as the starting point for the other two trails. Check route details before setting out, as information about trail offerings may change.
The Morobbia Trail WALK is suitable for everyone and was designed for families with children. Dogs are allowed on a leash. This makes the trail a clearly described option for travelers with children or a dog. These details apply to the Morobbia Trail WALK; they cannot automatically be applied to the other trails.
Directions to Capanna Genzianella
To reach Capanna Genzianella, drive from Giubiasco towards Val Morobbia. After Pianezzo, turn left towards Paudo and follow the signs on foot towards Pian Dolce. The ascent is listed as taking one and a half hours. Mountain conditions and trail signs may change; check both before setting out.
Church and art in Pianezzo
The parish church of St. Philip and St. James stands on a hill above the village of Pianezzo. It was built in the 16th century, incorporating the remains of an earlier church. Murals dating from 1557 have been preserved on the main façade: they depict St. Christopher and Saints Philip and George. The church also contains a large, fragmentary fresco of the Last Supper from the second half of the 16th century.
The church brings together different aspects: its building history and older remains, a dated set of paintings on the main façade, and a large-scale fresco with a religious subject. These provide specific points of interest for anyone interested in art and architectural history who wants to discover Pianezzo through its local history.
Corte del Forno and old routes
The Corte del Forno recalls ironworking in the 15th century. The Muggiasca company from the Como and Bellinzona area processed iron ore there, sourced from mines and open-pit workings. The old San Jorio mule track also passes through the Corte del Forno. Ironworking and the historic route come together here as two aspects of the village’s past.
Themed trails in the Valle Morobbia
In the Valle Morobbia, the La Via dell’Acqua educational trail explains energy production and the history of water use. It was created in collaboration between Azienda Multiservizi Bellinzona (AMB) and Regione Valle Morobbia. Nine explanatory panels, enhanced with photographs, present the trail’s themes.
La Via del Ferro is another themed trail in the Valle Morobbia. It traces historic connections between the Cavargna and Albano valleys in Lombardy and the Morobbia Valley in Ticino. Via the motto della Tappa, or Cima Verta at 2,078 metres, the trail leads to historic mining and ironworking sites. Together, the two themed trails showcase different facets of the region: water use on the one hand, mining and ironworking on the other.
Village life and language
On 7 May 2023, the feast of the patron saints returned to Pianezzo as a village festival. At the time, the Associazione Quartiere Pianezzo had been organizing it for three years together with other associations in the valley. The programme included a service with singing, gnocchi, drinks, a cake stall, music, and games at the Policentro. Festival dates and programme details may change; check specific dates if you are planning your trip around a festival.
Language is also part of the village’s cultural identity: the Lombard dialect spoken in Pianezzo is part of the Ticinese dialect group. Thus, Pianezzo is about more than hiking trails and historic buildings; it also offers a glimpse of local language and community life.
Discover more destinations: Sant’antonio, Giubiasco, Camorino, Cadenazzo, Arbedo-Castione, Lumino Ti, Monte Carasso, Isone.
For the main travel overview: Bellinzona.
