Standing on the summit of Monte Gambarogno at 1734 m, you gaze across one of Ticino's most cinematic panoramas: the Bays of Locarno and Ascona spreading below in a sweep of sapphire water, framed by the verdant left bank of Lake Maggiore. This generous peak is easily reached on foot from the Alpe di Neggia, accessible by car or public transport, and its relatively modest altitude means the trail is walkable for much of the year. The return journey offers an enticing option -- a path descending toward Indemini, one of Ticino's most authentic and beautifully preserved villages, passing the Sant'Anna oratory with its precious frescoes dating to the 14th-15th centuries.
Itinerary: Neggia - Monte Gambarogno (3h, see map)
The walk sets out from the Alpe di Neggia, reachable by car from Vira Gambarogno and Fosano. If you prefer public transport, take the boat from Locarno to Magadino and continue by bus to Alpe di Neggia, where a restaurant and ample parking await.
From the very first steps, the view opens dramatically. As the trail climbs, Lake Maggiore stretches out below, the Magadino Plain and Bolle wetlands spread like a patchwork quilt, and the river mouths of the Ticino and Verzasca are visible extending all the way to the Maggia River Delta and the Brissago Islands. The path is gentle and panoramic, delivering you to the summit of Monte Gambarogno (1734 m) in a little over an hour. At the top, the full majesty of the Locarno region unfolds -- its valleys, peaks, and lakeshores arranged before you like a living relief map.
The descent follows a grassy slope that gradually gives way to forest, leading to the Alpe Cedullo. Here a welcoming agritourism stop awaits: goats, pigs, chickens, and the distinctive grey ProSpecieRara cows graze contentedly, while during summer months you can taste the pasture's own products. Expect an abundance of artisanal cheeses, cured meats, cakes, yoghurts, marmalade, and elder syrup, with polenta served on Sundays. The rustic setting and the honest, farm-fresh quality of the food make this an ideal place to rest and refuel.
From Alpe Cedullo, roughly ten minutes along the trail, you reach the oratory-refuge of Sant'Anna, which shelters an evocative old fresco of the "Virgin Mary of Milk" attributed to the Antonio da Tradate entourage (14th-15th centuries). Continue to Pasturione (1200 m), where the path divides: you can descend to the village of Indemini in about 30 minutes, or return to Alpe di Neggia in approximately an hour and a half through forest and rocky terrain, partially uphill.
The detour to Indemini is highly recommended. This beautiful village at 390 m elevation has preserved the character and charm of centuries past, with stone houses, quiet lanes, and a pace of life that feels suspended in time. From Indemini, a PostBus carries you back to the valley.
