Follow the emerald thread of the Verzasca River deep into one of Ticino's most photogenic valleys, and you will walk the Sentierone, an ancient mule track once trodden by valley dwellers heading to market on the plain below. Today this legendary trail lures hikers with its impossibly green pools, double-arched stone bridges, woodland canopies, and the quiet charm of stone-built hamlets. Flexible and forgiving, the Sentierone can be walked in its entirety or sampled in sections, with public transport stops along the way making it ideal for groups and families alike.
Itinerary: "Sentierone" of the Verzasca Valley (see map)
The itinerary can begin either in Mergoscia or at the iconic Verzasca dam. Starting from Mergoscia, you traverse the hillside above the turquoise artificial lake before dropping down to tiny Corippo. From the dam, the trail threads through the scattered hamlets of Vogorno to the crossroad known as Bivio di Corippo. Both routes converge on a flat stretch leading to Lavertezzo, renowned for its graceful double-arched bridge and the mesmerising pools of emerald-green water swirling beneath it.
Beyond Lavertezzo, the path continues toward Brione through an area where an art trail, the "Sentiero per l'arte," was established some years ago. Sculptures by Swiss and international artists can still be glimpsed in a truly enchanting natural setting, crafted from ceramics, wood, metal, glass, and stone. Some works have gradually merged with the vegetation and rock around them, while others retain their original form, creating a fascinating dialogue between art and wilderness.
The trail presses onward past old stone buildings and chapels adorned with naive frescoes, across small bridges, beside tumbling waterfalls, and through flowering meadows. Sharp-eyed walkers may even spot old wolf traps, relics of a wilder age. The route culminates in Sonogno, the valley's last village, home to the Casa della Lana (House of Wool) and an Ethnographic Museum that preserves the memories of valley life and the poignant history of the chimney sweepers who once left these mountains to work across Europe.
Accessible in both directions from late spring well into autumn, the Sentierone presents no technical difficulties. The full trail is, however, demanding in length at roughly 8 hours. It can easily be split into stages or walked in shorter segments to match your energy and schedule. In summer, irresistible swimming spots invite you to plunge into the river's cool, crystalline waters.
During winter and early spring, some sections may be slippery, and stream crossings can prove tricky due to snowmelt or heavy rain. Check conditions with the tourist office of Tenero and Valle Verzasca before setting out.
Bobosco
A newer attraction draws families with children and young adventurers to the valley's forests. BoBosco consists of two playful trails through the woods: the first between Brione Verzasca and Lavertezzo, the second from Gerra Verzasca to Sonogno. Wooden ball in hand, you guide it along an imaginative course of pulleys, cableways, hollowed-out tree trunks, and water games set in a splendid natural landscape, blending skill with pure fun.
