VALLI

The Valle Onsernone ranges over the level of the Pedemonte to the thermal springs "I Bagni di Craveggia", at the border to Italy. It is an extreme valley, steep and cliffy, virtually without any horizontal area. The river Isorno is barely visible. Covertly it is curling along the bottom of the canyon, which represents the lower part of the valley. Its clear water is inviting for refreshment. Villages and residential estates are two to three hundred meters higher located, quasi partway to the surrounding towered crests, at a street which extends itself over 28 km and twins about 300 curves. Due to its favourable location, the valley is spoiled with a high daily insolation which has a positive impact on the lush vegetation: palms, mimosas, grapes, figs and not to forget the popular sweet chestnuts are reaching a height up to 900 meters. A valley that has been attracted by artists such as Elias Canetti, Max Frisch, Golo Mann, Alfred Andersch, Aline Valangin, just to mention some of their names.

As its name already indicates, the Valle Maggia is the broadest valley of the Locarnese's Valli. Various archaeological discoveries evince that the valley has already been perambulated in prehistorical times. Faced up to scarce and often insufficient resources, the people felt often impelled to emigrate. Nowadays, the valley's economy is closely linked with that of the agglomeration Locarno. The various quarries that occurred in the valley are evidence of broad activities around the Maggiagranit. The Valle Maggia is favoured by admirers of adrenaline sports such as Bungee-Jumping and rock climbing. However, it also offers culture, things worth seeing such as the nature trail "Der Weg des Steins" http://www.pietraviva.ch/ or musical performances like the rhythmic nights of the Valle Maggia Magic Blues.

A wild valley with steep slopes is called Valle Verzasca. It is the only valley that is adjoined to Ticino valleys only and that could manage to sustain its nativeness extensively. Regarding its geographical position, it has always been hardly accessible und therefore uninteresting for the conquerors of the past. Its various crests which offer a fabulous view on the circumjacent Alps, its numerous waterfalls as well as the transitions leading into side and neighbouring valleys turn the Verzascatal into the ultimate paradise for hikers. The Via Alta della Verzasca is known as one of the wildest walking-tours in Switzerland. During elevated tempered times, the Verzasca refreshingly invites with its deep-green water to sunbath. Despite treacherous dangers, the valley is very popular by canoeists and divers.

Cento Valli - omen est nomen - one hundred valleys. It begins at the plain of the Pedemonte, north of Locarno, cliffy and largely afforested, and runs from the Camedo at the Italian border to the Valle Vigezzo. Common hiking trails in the middle of wild nature are inviting to start field trips. Two mule paths were once crossing the valleys but got replaced by the Centovalli railway, which drives from Locarno to Domodossala. Tomb discoveries close to Intragna at the beginning of Cento Valli show that the Centum Valles has once been settled by Romans. Intragna is proud of its church steeple, which is said to be the highest in Ticino.