Verzasca Valley

The Verzasca Valley is a long narrow valley located in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. This valley offers a wild and fascinating landscape, with the Alps on one side and a lake on the other. The river has an emerald green color, and thanks to its good visibility, it is famous as a river diving destination.

Villages around the valley

 * Mergoscia - Altitude = 731m
 * Corippo - Altitude = 563m
 * Vogorno - Located at an altitude of 490m, Vorgono is the main village of the Verzasca Valley. It is where the famous dam is located. The dam belongs to the hydroelectric power station and is 380 metres long and 220 metres high.
 * S.Bartolomeo - Altitude = 490m
 * Lavertezzo - At the altitude of 536m, this village is the preferred spot for sunbathers, swimmers and divers.
 * Aquino - Altitude = 592m
 * Motta - Altitude = 615m
 * Brione (Verzasca) - Altitude = 756m
 * Gerra (Verzasca) - Altitude = 826m
 * Frasco - Altitude = 885m
 * Sonogno - At the altitude of 919m, this is the last village situated at the end of the valley.

Get in
The nearest big city would be Locarno and the nearest town just at the end of the valley is Tenero.

By public transport
There is no train service in the Verzasca valley. The nearest train stations are in Tenero and Locarno. From both of those stations, there are buses going to the valley.

The postal bus leaves approx. every 2 hours from Locarno or Tenero. Having 18 stops around the valley, the bus passes all villages and the surrounding area, making it easy for travellers to hop in and out at any point. In Lavertezzo, the bus stops near the church tower.

An exception to this is the village of Mergoscia which is reachable by a bus from Locarno operated by FART. There are around 10 trips a day.

By car
Coming from both north or south, take A2 (or A13) and exit at Bellinzona south, from there drive to Tenero and follow the signs to Valle Verzasca.

On foot
There are several hiking paths along the valley. Hiking from Tenero to Sonogno takes 10-11h, from Sonogno to Mergoscia 4:45h. The path is suitable for practised walkers.

By bus
Postal bus passes the villages approx. every 2 hours. Swiss Pass is valid.

By car
To go all the way to Sonogno, one should take the road on the east side of the valley. The road on the west side only goes up to Mergoscia. There are possibilities to park in some areas along the road.

In Gerra

 * The bell tower

In Frasco

 * The Efra waterfall

Do

 * Hiking is suitable for practised walker. No mountaineering skills required. The postal bus stops at several places along the valley, making it possible to hop in and continue your trip whenever you feel tired. Ask for a hiking map at the Tourist Information in Tenero, Locarno, or Bellinzona.
 * Hiking is suitable for practised walker. No mountaineering skills required. The postal bus stops at several places along the valley, making it possible to hop in and continue your trip whenever you feel tired. Ask for a hiking map at the Tourist Information in Tenero, Locarno, or Bellinzona.
 * Hiking is suitable for practised walker. No mountaineering skills required. The postal bus stops at several places along the valley, making it possible to hop in and continue your trip whenever you feel tired. Ask for a hiking map at the Tourist Information in Tenero, Locarno, or Bellinzona.
 * Hiking is suitable for practised walker. No mountaineering skills required. The postal bus stops at several places along the valley, making it possible to hop in and continue your trip whenever you feel tired. Ask for a hiking map at the Tourist Information in Tenero, Locarno, or Bellinzona.

Buy
Souvenir shops can be found in Sonogno or nearby the dam.

Eat
Restaurants can be found adjacent to hotels. Sandwiches are offered in the shop next to the dam.

Stay safe
The river may be very inviting, but it is known that the current can be dangerous. The rocks are sometimes slippery. Make sure to look for any warning sign and ask locals for information on safe areas for swimming.

Go next

 * Locarno
 * Ascona
 * Tenero is a small town situated on the shores of Lake Maggiore.