The Most Beautiful Waterfalls of Ticino by Pamela Pintus
Ticino, the southern region of Switzerland, is an extraordinary place where nature and culture come together in perfect harmony. Mountains frame lakes and rivers, giving life to wonderful waterfalls, creating breathtaking scenery that can enchant anyone. Among the natural treasures that Ticino offers, waterfalls hold a prominent place. The entire region is, in fact, rich in waterfalls, offering spectacular views with some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Switzerland.
Southern Switzerland is particularly appreciated by those who love nature and outdoor sports. Waterfalls are a perfect example of how Ticino is able to combine natural beauty with adventure. In this blog, I will present five of the most beautiful waterfalls that are an absolute must-see. To reach them, all you need to do is take a walk in the greenery.
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The Foroglio waterfall, Bavona Valley
Let's start our tour with one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ticino: the Foroglio waterfall, located in the Bavona Valley, in the upper Vallemaggia. Among the most magnificent in Ticino, its waters fall for over 100 meters, rushing down from a rocky cliff and creating truly suggestive scenarios. Those who wish to admire it up close can park their vehicle in Foroglio; if you have more time and love long walks, you can decide to follow the itinerary that leads from Foroglio to Val Calnégia. A not too challenging two-hour walk, an opportunity to admire the surrounding nature and discover some interesting local realities with very ancient roots. In fact, in the warmer months, the farmers of Bignasco and Cavergno used to move to the Bavona Valley, using every natural resource to build shelters for themselves, for the animals, and for every product they obtained. Starting from Foroglio, you can discover the spectacular waterfall and, through an uphill path, you will reach the "maggengo Puntid" and, continuing on, you will arrive at the "Splüia Bela," a rock construction that provided shelter for shepherds and goats. From this point, the path continues towards other suggestive huts carved from stone blocks, such as those of "Gerra," which offer important testimonies of the life of the shepherds of the Bavona Valley. The walk ends in Calnègia and, following the same path back, you will return to Foroglio.
The Salto waterfall, Maggia Valley
The waterfall Salto of Maggia (in Maggia Valley) is one of the most stunning places to visit in the Ticino region. Its waters plunge about 60 meters, ending their descent in a natural pool where the colors range from emerald green to intense blue, making it a sought-after destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. To reach the waterfall, you need to walk for 15 minutes from the center of the village, starting from the "La Valegia" church and taking a path that leads to a vineyard. Continuing on, you will find another path that leads to the waterfall. Those who want to explore the surrounding area in more depth shouldn't miss the opportunity to take part in the "Giro della Valle del Salto" excursion, a circular route of about 4 hours that allows you to explore the lush nature of this valley.
The Froda waterfall, Verzasca Valley
To admire the beautiful waterfall Froda, you need to get to Sonogno, a small and remote village in Verzasca Valley. Walking along its characteristic streets, the signs of hiking trails will lead, without too much difficulty, to the waterfall, whose powerful waters can be heard already halfway through the journey. It is a pleasant walk of about 30 minutes that leads to a small bridge; once crossed, you can admire the waterfall in all its splendor. In the warmer season, this place becomes a popular destination for tourists who take advantage of the gentle sound of water to relax in the sun or have a quick picnic. To return to the village, you can take an alternative route, descending through the forest and lush vegetation of the surrounding area.
The Santa Petronilla waterfall, Biasca
To admire the highest waterfall in Canton Ticino, you'll need to head to Biasca and follow the signs that lead to the beautiful Cascata di Santa Petronilla. Consisting of several drops, its impetuous waters are visible from the railway and the motorway. To fully enjoy the spectacle, start from the center of Biasca, specifically from the church dedicated to "San Carlo Borromeo". My suggestion is to take advantage of the itinerary to make a short visit to a very ancient church, that of "Santi Pietro e Paolo", which preserves some secular frescoes of great value. Even the view from its square offers unparalleled scenery that allows you to admire the "Valle Leventina" and "Valle di Blenio". From the church, you can continue along a path characterized by 14 chapels, a "way of the cross" in the middle of nature that will lead to a bridge from which you can see the "central jump" of the waterfall, whose waters end in a clear and transparent pool, which is often used by tourists to cool off on hot days. After completing the route, instead of resuming the "way of the cross", you can opt for the "Via Santa Petronilla", a path that will lead downhill to the parish church.
The Botto waterfall, Rovio
In the municipality of Rovio, you can visit the beautiful Botto waterfall, formed by the Sovaglia stream and whose waters reach Lake Lugano from a height of 68 meters. Starting from the main car park near Via Felice, where you can park your vehicle, you will walk along a path of about 600 meters that, in 15 minutes, will take you to the foot of the waterfall. The path, in the first section, is easy to walk; as you get closer to the destination, however, the path starts to become narrower and slippery, so it is recommended to always wear suitable trekking boots. At this point, you reach a small bridge that crosses the Sovaglia stream and, once crossed, you can have a magnificent view of the waterfall.
The waterfalls of Ticino are some of Switzerland's most spectacular natural wonders. Each waterfall has its own uniqueness and beauty, and each of them is easily accessible from a walk. Whether you are experienced hikers, photography enthusiasts, or simple tourists looking for natural beauty, the Ticino waterfalls will offer you an unforgettable experience.
Don't miss the opportunity to discover these natural wonders.
Pamela