Along the Maggia, the riverside trail in Lodano passes through wet woodland, former river channels and streams, flower-rich dry meadows, and bare sandy riverbanks. Picnic areas are located along the trail. If you would like to include nature and historic forestry in your travel plans, Lodano offers several different ways to explore them: from an easy circular route with interpretive stops to multi-day excursions in the Valle di Lodano Forest Reserve.
Riverside Landscape and Circular Route
The Sentiero paesaggistico Lodano runs along the valley floor of the Lodano Valley. This easy circular route is 5.5 kilometres long and has 18 stops. They focus on rural structures, evidence of traditional activities and valuable natural habitats. The route therefore combines nature and cultural themes without requiring a multi-day excursion. The kilometre figure describes the length of the circular route; no walking time is specified.
There are also signs of earlier work in the valley along the trail itself: the remains of old cableways are visible beside the Sentiero paesaggistico Lodano. A charcoal burner’s hut has been reconstructed along the route for educational purposes. These stops and visible traces give the circular route a different focus from a hike geared mainly towards a longer stage or an overnight stay.
Valle di Lodano Forest Reserve
The forest reserve covers 780 hectares and has been protected since 2010. It combines valuable natural features with examples of traditional human activities. During a walk in the woods of Valle di Lodano, you can observe rare birds, edible plants and beetles. The four themed excursions have different time commitments: two can be completed in one day, while the other two take two days and allow for an overnight stay in the hut at Alp da Canaa.
If you are interested in the history of forest use, consider the Lodano–Soláda–Castèll–Lodano hike. It passes evidence of historic forestry work, including logging and charcoal production. On excursions to Alp da Canaa, participants can also gather ingredients from the forest and prepare a meal in the hut. Check before your trip whether this offer is currently available.
Stages and Overnight Stays
The two-day Lodano–Alp da Canaa–Lodano route covers 6.5 kilometres on the first day, taking 4 hours and 30 minutes, and 8 kilometres on the second day, taking 3 hours and 10 minutes. The first stage is shorter but has a longer walking time; the second is longer but has a shorter walking time. For planning, it is therefore worth checking both figures, not just the distance.
Capanna Alpe Canaa has 20 sleeping places, a shower and a toilet. You can cook there when the hut is not staffed. It is generally open from mid-May to the end of October; seasonal access may change. Check opening times and access before your trip if you are planning to stay overnight.
Lodano as a Historic Place
Lodano is a village and former municipality in the Vallemaggia district of the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. On 4 April 2004, it was incorporated into the municipality of Maggia; Lodano nevertheless remains an independent civic municipality. The place was first mentioned in 1260. Other historical forms of the name include Lodino, Lodeno, Ladino and Lodine.
At the Lodano Info Point, you can learn more about the biodiversity and ethnographic features of the side valley and its valley floor. Audiovisual material explains the valley’s natural environment; a film about the riverside landscape is also available. In this way, the habitats and traces of traditional activities you can encounter outdoors are complemented by a closer look at the landscape.
Discover more destinations: Campo, San Carlo, Lavizzara, Cerentino, Avegno-Gordevio, Linescio, Bosco/Gurin, Menzonio.
For the main travel overview: Vallemaggia.
