Gordola lies at an altitude of 222 meters at the entrance to the Verzasca Valley, around 5.5 kilometers northeast of Locarno. Trails lead to Monti Motti, the village is home to historic religious buildings, and Gordola has a railway station on the Bellinzona–Locarno line. If you are looking for accommodation, first consider whether nature trails, local history or the rail connection is most important for your stay.
Hillsides and Lakes
Gordola lies at the southern foot of hills covered with chestnut trees and vineyards. The municipality borders the Lago di Vogorno reservoir and Lake Maggiore. Its southern boundary is marked by the protected area of Bolle di Magadino. Hillsides, lakes and the protected landscape area are therefore among the village’s geographic features.
Trails to Monti Motti
Several trails lead from Gordola on foot to Monti Motti, at an altitude of around 1,000 meters. There are opportunities for walking and exceptional viewpoints there. Monti Motti is also accessible by car. Road conditions can vary; if you are planning to drive, take this into account when choosing your route. Walking and driving are therefore different ways to reach the same mountain destination.
On the Monti Motti bike route, the picturesque mountain hamlet of Bazzadee lies just before the halfway point. Its partly abandoned center consists of traditional stone houses. At the start of the Monti Motti bike trail, bikers and hikers share the route. Along with its path through the landscape, the route offers a specific point of interest with its own architectural history.
Village Center and Church Architecture
Motto-Rongia is a protected village center. The Oratorio delle Grazie in Gordola dates from the 15th century and is of particular value. The Church of S. Antonio abate is a neoclassical basilica with a transept and a freestanding bell tower. It was completed in 1839 after eight years of construction. The oratory is older than the 1839 basilica.
S. Antonio abate contains a 15th-century fresco depicting a Madonna seated on a throne and nursing a child. The church also houses the paintings “The Mocking of Christ” and “Ecce Homo,” attributed to Gherardo Honthorst, known as Delle Notti. The building’s design, history and artworks add the story of a single religious building to the picture of the protected village center.
Traveling by Train
Gordola has a railway station on the Bellinzona–Locarno line, operated by the Swiss Federal Railways. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable for your travel dates. The rail connection is a separate planning consideration alongside the trails to Monti Motti and the village’s historic sites.
Discover more destinations: Tenero-Contra, Losone, Gresso, Intragna, Ronco Sopra Ascona, Orselina, Brione Sopra Minusio, Vergeletto
Return to the main travel guide: Locarno.
