Category: restaurant

LA STRADA DEI FORMAGGI DEL LUCOMAGNO/ CHEESE ROUTE

First of all, this is NOT the name of any of the hikes that start from Lucomagno. The official name is SENTIERI NATURALISTICI DEL LUCOMAGNO. There are 7 of them of different length and points of interest. (I mention it because I have found various websites mentioning the cheese route of Lucomagno and was very confused when we couldn’t find any)

There are a lot of hikes you can do from Lucomagno pass. We have chosen from the sentieri naturalistici: numbers 3 and 2: Golene del Brenno (floodplains of river Brenno). We didn’t do it as a circular path but we started in Lucomagno and finished in Acquacalda where we took a bus to come back. In total easy 8 km.

As mentioned we left our car on the parking lot next to the restaurant in Lucomagno. From there we followed the path “Sentieri naturalistici”. The first part of the hike is just incredible. This upper part has a different feel to it than a typical Ticino hike. It’s very alpine, rocky and now in full bloom.

When we reached the first crossroad of the paths we took path number 2 and climbed down to the Brenno river.

Here you can find, visit and most importantly buy amazing alpine cheeses from l’Alpe Petrusio.

The rest of the hike the path more or less follows the road. We were there on a hot Sunday and the river banks were full of people running from the heat of the city and having a picnic or just enjoying the beautiful day in the mountains.

The very last stretch of this hike crosses the “Selvasecca” and you can admire the ancient pine trees.

In Acquacalda we had a lunch in Pro Natura centrum and catched a bus to it’s final stop Lucomagno pass. As my son told me numerous times this was his favourite part of the hike.

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lago tremorgio

The cablecars are finally open. This one starts in Rodi and whisks you up to lake Tremorgio just in 5 minutes.

Once up there you have several hiking options. Since this was our first time here we decided to start with an easy hike around the lake. Honestly I thought it will be bit boring just to do the circular walk but we had so much fun. As my son called it, it is a natural playground.

There was a lot of rock climbing, marmot’s holes searching, cows petting, water stream wading, snow touching,…..

We opted for the Upper circular route to get a bit of perspective but half way we joined the lower path.

Even though summer has officially started the weather up there is unpredictable. Just a friendly reminder to pack a jacket.

Just before the cable car station there is a Capanna Tremorgio with a nice view and good cook.

MONTI DI LEGO

Best view of Locarno region? No doubt. Best hike? Not for me.

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We started this hike in Viona. There is a small parking lot close by. From there the sign says 1 hour up to the Capanna di Lego. It took us 1,5 hours. Keep in mind that we have a baby in the carrier and 4 year old that needs to make snack stops every 15 minutes.

The trail leads through the forest. Sometimes you get a promise of the view that awaits you on the top. I have to mentioned that the path climbs uphill all the time.  There aren’t any parts you can rest or run around a bit. Keep this in mind if you’re hiking with younger kids.

 

There is one cool stop on the way. My son loved the “mystery” rock we have found. We tried to come up with as much theories as possible why there are crosses on the rock and who carved them. Anything to keep his mind from the constant ascent.

 

The views on the top are gorgeous. From one side you can admire the Lago Maggiore, from the other side Verzasca valley.

There is a grotto, few houses, little lake and chapel up there too.

In overall this is a totally doable hike with kids with views as a reward in the end. I personally prefer more variety kind of hike. Not only climb up the hill and climb back down the same way.