There is no shortage of quaint villages in Ticino, and it is nearly impossible to choose a favorite. But Sonogno is certainly near the top of my list. All the way at the end of Valle Verzasca, this idyllic village remains frozen in time. You’ll find cozy restaurants, towering waterfalls and hiking trails just a short walk from town.

The beautiful Grotto Efra has been serving traditional local food for nearly 80 years. In additional to wonderfully comforting food, they have live music performances — check out the events page.

Take a hike to one of the many waterfalls that adorn the valley of Verzasca. There are several to choose from. Find a selection of trails here!

If you are feeling adventurous, stay at one of the hike-in capanne (huts)! The huts are minimalistic and afforable (~25 euro / night). They provide wifi, solar power, hot water and stunning views of the valley. You can find information about the huts of Valle Verzasca here.

One of the most unique and charming traits of the valleys of Locarno are the stone homes that dapple the mountainsides, known as rustici. Many of these structures date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, and some even earlier. While you can find rustici throughout the villages of the Locarno valleys, some can only be reached on foot, and utilize teleferiche (cableways) to carry supplies to and from them.

My host family was working on refurbishing one of these old homes — to be a mountain escape during the warmer months. They told me this is becoming an increasingly popular project among Swiss families, both Ticinese and from northern cantons.

Excuse the iPhone-zoom photo on the left. But to give a sense of the abundance of these stone structures, here is a photo I took while out hiking in Valle Maggia. You can see several rustici nestled into the mountainside across the valley. I am not positive there is even a maintained trail to reach those pictured here, and they have likely been empty for a very long time.

In contrast, the picture on the right shows a fully restored and inhabited (at least for summer) rustico that I came across while hiking. The goats were very curious about their unexpected visitor (me).

I will never forget my first encounter with the teleferiche in the village of Foroglio. Startled by a sudden whirring noise, I looked up to see a cart full of groceries go zipping over my head. It took me a moment to process what was happening, but when I realized what it was, I was delighted by its whimsy. It could’ve been straight out of a Miyazaki film — yet it was real life.

After that, I began noticing the teleferiche everywhere. While out running or hiking in the woods, I would sometimes encounter an empty cart, sitting at the bottom of a cable line, indicating that somewhere up the mountainside was a remote rustico.

I could write forever about my love for the rustici and their charm. But I hope you’ll go to experience them for yourself. They have varying degrees of amenities — some are right in town, some require a hike but are equipped running water, electricity, etc… while others will provide a more off-grid experience. Rustico Ticino is a site dedicated to helping you book a rustici that suits your desired vacation style. With a little digging, you can also find them through sites like Airbnb and Vrbo.

A valley that has intrigued artists, writers and nature lovers for its untouched beauty and authenticity, Valle Onsernone is a place that must be felt to be understood. Each of the valleys of Locarno is distinct, and Valle Onsernone stands out for its ruggedness and ability to transport its visitors back in time.

Valle Onsernone possesses an abundance of hiking routes, with lush forests, expansive vistas, remote villages, and crystal clear steams. It is a nature lover’s and hiker’s haven.

For the culture traveler, the village of Loco has a musem that provides a rich history of the valley, and an impressive Baroque church, dating back to the 11th century.

It is a worth a visit to the “Wild Valley’s” tourism site, which has details for booking their highly rated hostel and hike-to rustici.

A notably unique experience to be had in Onsernone is a visit to the Bagni Craveggia, which you can read about below!

At the very end of the road through Valle Onsernone is an old bathhouse that gives a feeling a stepping back into time. While the temperature of the water might not impress hot-spring enthusiasts (28 °C / 82 °F), the location of the bathhouse is absolutely idyllic. Valle Onsernone is one of the most wild and untouched valleys in Ticino — and worth your visit.

To visit the bathhouse, you’ll arrive in Spruga by car or bus (an absolutely beautiful ride.) Then walk ~40min down a gravel road before wading across the river Isorno into Italy! I came to the baths on a week day, and there were maybe 4-5 other people enjoying them.

These natural hot springs were first documented around the year 400, and much later in 1818, the bathhouse was built. It’s said that the site is linked to important happenings in the Italian resistance during World War II.

Its worth including the baths in your visit to Valle Onsernone, where you’ll also find great food, history, hiking and nature.

If there is a quintessential European summer experience to be had, it is basking on the hot-stone banks of this stunning emerald river.

Possibly the most popular valley to visit in Ticino, Valle Verzasca has a bit of fame for appearing in one of the Bond films. But don’t be deterred by the crowds — it is popular for a reason.

The double bridge pictured above is Ponte dei Salti, and likely to be crowed on a nice summer weekend. Though there are many places up and down the river if you’d like to find a spot to yourself.

After spending some time in the sun by the river, I did this hike to escape the crowds, and was treated to some of the most stunning views I saw during my time in Ticino.

Grotto Pozzasc serves polenta with traditional and locally sourced fair, such as meat stews, cheeses and salamis. It is a charming restaurant in a restored mill, and reservations are recommended.

The photo above is not mine; when I visited, it was pouring rain (video below), but cozy and lovely in a different way. On a sunny day, the emerald green waters of the grotto are the star of the show.

The landslides in June 2024 altered the appearance of the grotto — filling it partially with gravel. The restaurant is open, and has some photos and information about its restoration here.

A touching statement from the restaurant (translated): “Over the next few months, further interventions are planned on the river that we hope will give it back its appearance and that touch of magic that distinguished it. In any case, nature will also need time to shape and decorate again what it decided to overturn in just one night.”

Another popular site in Ticino, but for good reason, is the stunning 300-ft waterfall that cascades over the stone village of Foroglio. This is a must see — but don’t stop here! There is a wonderful hike above the waterfall that takes you through a wildflower-filled valley, past traditional stone houses and under the whirring of cableways that carry supplies to and from them. It is really out of a fairytale. This was one of my favorite days I spent in Ticino.

Oh — and don’t skip having a beer with a view at cafe La Froda.

If you have a stomach for heights and an appetite for adventure, check out one of the Via Ferrata (iron pathes) near Bellinzona — Via Ferrata dei Tre Signori. There are multiple routes of varying lengths and difficulties, and equipment rental is available on site at Grotto Mornera.

Travel to the village of Sementina, to take the “Monte Carasso – Mornera” cable car up the mountain. It is recommended to reserve a ticket in advance here. From there, you should utilize a mapping software to route the Via Ferrata.

Reference the routing information FerrataGuide and OutdoorActive before you go.

Via Ferrata is something I skipped while in Ticino — and am heading back to do at earliest possibility!