If I asked everyone who liked to go on the swing to raise their hand, I am sure that many would do that. When I went to the park as a child, I was fascinated by the legendary swing, and I wanted at all costs to climb it. Therefore, you can imagine my happiness in discovering that they had installed panoramic swings in Ticino as part of the Swing the World program, made by a young Ticino couple specializing in photography and video productions: Elisa Cappelletti and Fabio Balassi. These swings allow us to discover or rediscover hidden and panoramic corners of our territory and immerse ourselves in nature and appreciate its tranquility and scents with serenity.

Could I give up swinging? No! Even if I haven't tried them all, the ones tried gave me a big emotion, and my advice is not to miss the opportunity to be like a child again. Go and try them too!

Here is my adventure…

Pizzo Zucchero, Onsernone Valley

The first swing that I propose is located in the Onsernone Valley, near the Vergeletto center; from there, I took the cable car in Zott, and after just seven minutes, I went down to Alpe Salei. I was so excited and curious that I immediately headed – taking the path that leads to the Pylon – to the viewpoint where the swing is installed, the highest in the Canton Ticino. Its size and its beauty stuck with me; you can sit in two. The sensation was that of swinging in the void, with a breathtaking view like of uniting the Onsernone and Vergeletto valleys, Pizzo Zucchero down to Lake Maggiore. On clear days it is also possible to admire the two extreme points of Switzerland simultaneously, the highest (Monte Rosa) and the lowest (Lake Maggiore).

Nara, Blenio Valley

The second swing of my journey is in the Blenio Valley, in the Nara region. It is a double installation, and the two swings are a ten-minute walk away. I didn't have to take any cable car to reach them, but I just wore a pair of comfortable shoes and parked at the famous Pela bar, known for the trail's starting point. The first swing (Swing 1) is located about forty minutes' walk from the bar, inside a small clearing in the woods and by swinging, it is possible to see the highest peak in Ticino from a different perspective. The second (Swing 2) instead allows you to have the Alps as a background. The characteristic of these two swings is that the height difference to reach them is very low (about 225 meters) and is, therefore, an ideal walk for children.

Cardada above Locarno

The third swing is located in Cardada, just above Locarno.
I quickly reached it by cable car, and the view over Lake Maggiore is genuinely stunning. We are at 1340 meters above sea level, from where you can see Locarno, Lake Maggiore up to the Italian border. Opposite, on the other hand, stands Monte Tamaro. It was fascinating for me to swing on this swing.
It was fascinating for me swinging on this swing: close to Locarno, but at the same time immersed in nature.

Shaka Beach, Vira Gambarogno

The fourth swing surprised me a lot, first of all, for its position. Until now, I have always swung from high points from which, of course, one enjoyed extraordinary views. This one is found in the water – a few centimeters above the Lake Maggiore surface, at the Shaka Beach in Vira-Gambarogno. Apart from the first difficulty, since the legs are immersed in water – the advice is to stand up – the view is fantastic. I was able to appreciate the Verzasca Valley in front of me, while behind me was Vira-Gambarogno. This village has maintained all characteristics, with narrow alleys and ancient arcades, and the facades frescoed in 1970 on the occasion of the "Festa dell'affresco".

Lungolago Ascona

The fifth swing is in Ascona, a pretty town characterized by a romantic old town and countless cafes, on one of the most famous lakesides, Piazza Giuseppe Motta, not far from the historic center.
Here the view is entirely different from the other swings because, in the foreground, there is the lake and, in the background, the typical colored houses of Ascona. It is a unique, magical place that leads to daydreaming. My feeling was that of swinging lulled by the air and without any thought.

Morcote

The sixth swing is the youngest, as it was only built in recent weeks in the Municipality of Morcote. In 2016 the village was awarded as the most beautiful Swiss village of the year. It managed to keep intact its origin linked to the world of anglers, who had their homes overlooking the lake and used the arcades as a storage point for their boats since the early Middle Ages. The swing is right in front of one of the symbolic places of Morcote; the bell tower of the Santa Maria del Sasso Church (reachable both from the lakefront and from the historic center, via a staircase) built in the mid-16th century. By swinging, you can immerse yourself in the Lugano Lake landscape.

San Grato Park, Carona

The seventh and last swing I tried is located just ten kilometers from Lugano, inside the San Grato Park in Carona. This park is very particular; you can immediately see it by following the "path of flowers", which starts much earlier – on the summit of Monte San Salvatore – and leads to the park.
Inside there are panoramic, sensorial, botanical, or artistic paths, each enhancing one of the characteristic place features. I went through the sensory and the panoramic ones, where on a small terrace, hanging from two strong trees, there is the panoramic swing.
The view ranges from Monte San Salvatore to Lake Lugano, including part of the park and giving a natural feeling of freedom and lightness.

I wish you lots of fun on the swings!
by Pamela

For more information:
www.swingtheworld.ch
www.ticino.ch