Hiking between nature and culture

There are around 250 km of hiking trails in the Maggia area. Specific information about individual routes can help you choose: the Sentiero naturalistico lungo le golene del fiume Maggia is 15 km long and passes through some of Switzerland’s most valuable natural habitats. The Sentieri di pietra in Maggia draw attention to landscape, historical and cultural features; they are promoted by Vallemaggia Pietraviva. The trails therefore offer different thematic focuses.

The Giro della Valle del Salto (SvizzeraMobile 611) is an 8.8 km circular route. It starts in the historic centre of Maggia and follows a long climb to the Santa Maria della Pioda chapel. It also passes through the wild stretch of the Valle del Salto. The distance, starting point and climb offer different points to consider when choosing a route: the distance indicates its length, while the climb is another feature of the route.

The Itinerari da ascoltare – La Vallemaggia circular route offers a different route profile: it is flat and starts and ends in Maggia. Along the way, it passes through Lodano and Moghegno. Compared with the long climb of the Giro della Valle del Salto, this is a clear difference in the route profile described. The circular route is accessible to wheelchair users and to people with visual impairments when accompanied. If you would like to plan your day around a particular route, you can take this information about the route, profile and accessibility into account.

Churches and chapels

The Church of San Maurizio is considered the oldest church in Vallemaggia and has Romanesque origins dating back to the 11th century. An impressive staircase of 100 steps leads to the church. Inside are two chapels richly decorated with stucco and paintings. Their decoration is attributed to the workshop of Isidoro Bianchi da Campione in the 17th century. The Romanesque origins and the artfully decorated chapels thus offer different historical perspectives on the church.

The Cappella della Pioda is about a half-hour walk uphill from Maggia. It contains several frescoes; one may date from the late 15th century. A fresco considered blasphemous depicts a three-headed Christ and is dated to around 1715. The proposed date for one fresco remains a possibility; the other fresco’s depiction, assessment and approximate date are concrete features to focus on.

Plan your visit to the region and how to get there

Vallemaggia stretches between Lake Maggiore and the Lepontine Alps. The Maggia River runs through the valley; erosion has created picturesque canyons and natural pools in some places. In the wider Vallemaggia region, you can enjoy walks, hikes, cycling and swimming in the Maggia River. These activities in the wider region complement Maggia’s specific route and cultural themes.

Maggia Centro can be reached from Locarno railway station by bus NFB 315 towards Cavergno, Paese. Routes and timetables may change, so check the connection again before travelling. When planning a stay, you can first decide on your personal focus: a route with a natural or cultural character, a flat circular route, church art or travelling by bus. The route features and cultural sites mentioned offer different points of reference.

Discover more destinations: Riveo, Moghegno, Avegno-Gordevio, Brontallo, Lavizzara, Campo, San Carlo, Menzonio.

For the general travel overview: Vallemaggia.