Hiking & Activity Vacation in Ticino: 10 Dreamy Places You Must See

The sun slowly moves over the mountain, our paddle nearly silent as it breaks the surface of the water. The scent of exotic flowers and Mediterranean landscapes fills the air. Palms sway in the wind. Yet, we find ourselves in Switzerland. More specifically, in Italian Switzerland, in Ticino. Biggi and Flo have compiled the best hiking tips and activities for outdoor enthusiasts in Ticino for you. We highly encourage you to give them a try.

As we step off the train in Lugano, we instinctively lift our noses to the air. 'Something feels different,' I say. 'The air!' Arriving in the Italian part of Switzerland, we're wrapped in a Mediterranean atmosphere. The air smells like Italy, with pizza and gelato advertised everywhere, palms swaying in the breeze, and a woman talking loudly in Italian on the platform.

Bella Italia, and all in Switzerland? Yes! Welcome to Ticino. Here, the climate is mild, the air smells like vacation, and the people speak Italian. But the trains run on time, the traffic is regulated, and the landscapes enchant with impressive mountains.

Now we invite you on an exciting journey to beautiful lakes and breathtaking waterfalls, into glacial landscapes and quaint mountain villages. Enjoy our tips for an unforgettable activity vacation in Ticino.

As we round the bend, we gasp. The Verzasca River winds through a narrow valley, the Valle Verzasca, and eventually flows into the famous Lago Maggiore. By the way, you can reach the Valle Verzasca from Lugano in about an hour by car. In the Valle Verzasca, there are paid parking areas at the most popular spots. An alternative is the public bus, which serves the major towns in the valley.

One of the highlights in the valley is the old Roman bridge. The air is still fresh in the morning as the first bathers spread their towels at the Ponte dei Salti. The air is still fresh in the morning as the first bathers lay out their towels at this popular swimming spot in Ticino. While searching for your sunbathing spot on the colorful, uniquely shaped stones, you're already in the midst of beautiful Ticino.

Be sure to pay attention to the swimming warning signs on site.

At the end of the Valle Verzasca lies the small mountain village of Sonogno. You park your car at the end of the road in the large parking lot right in the village and start your hike towards the town center. An alternative is taking the bus (final stop "Sonogno"). You'll first pass ancient stone houses, through a small marketplace. Continuing straight past small restaurants, following the signposts.

Soon you will see it: the Cascata La Froda. A massive waterfall cascades into a fairy-tale valley. We continue hiking along small paths towards the roaring water. Over bridges and stones, we soon reach the foot of the waterfall.

A herd of goats has settled here at the waterfall basin. They enjoy the cool air provided by the mist and are also quite fond of a gentle petting. We hike beside the waterfall up a hill and sit on a wooden lounge overlooking the waterfall. It can't get more idyllic than this.

Tip: Be sure to visit the typical 'Grotti'. These are rustic restaurants where you can find local specialties at a good price. A heartfelt recommendation is the Grotto Efra Restaurant, located halfway to the waterfall. Here, you'll enjoy delicious home-cooked meals in a spectacular setting. Be sure to try the homemade ice cream.

Before we leave the famous Verzasca Valley, we'd like to share a special hike for families: The BoBosco tour from Brione to Lavertezzo.

The BoBosco is a marble run where families with children can combine hiking with playing with marbles. Fun for the whole family is guaranteed. The wooden marble runs are set up along the entire route.

You can get the marbles from a vending machine at the beginning of the path or at the tourist information center at the start of the valley. Have fun exploring.

Now it gets rustic and a bit wild. In Centovalli, which translates to 100 valleys, nature seems untouched. Also, the valley near Locarno on Lake Maggiore isn't as crowded as the Valle Verzasca.

A beautiful highlight in Ticino is the Roman bridge, Ponte Romano, in Centovalli near Intragna. It dates back to the Middle Ages. It was built in 1578 to allow both humans and animals to cross the River Melezza.

Shortly after the village of Intragna, a path leads down from the main road to the bridge. In the emerald green water, you can dip your legs in the coolness or swim in one of the pools. Be sure to observe the swimming warning signs on site.

An exciting alternative to the car is the train, which winds through Centovalli on a spectacular route, connecting Locarno on the Swiss side with Domodossola on the Italian side. The train stops in all important towns in the valley.

In the Maggia Valley, the Valle Bavona branches off. If you take the San Carlo-Robièi cable car at the end of the valley in San Carlo, it will take you up to 1,900 meters. The ride itself is already a highlight-the mountain scenery is breathtaking.

You can reach the valley station by bus or car in about an hour from Locarno.

Up at Robièi, countless hikes begin. The Albergo Robièi is the perfect starting point for overnight stays. If you're just doing a day trip, hike to Lago di Robièi near the cable car and on to Lago del Zött.

At Lago del Zött, a stunning turquoise mountain lake, you gaze upon the majestic Basodino Glacier. Once again, we are left breathless. Everything here looks like it's straight out of a fairy tale.

Sure-footed hikers can tackle the secured path and sometimes even walk over the glacier around the entire lake. The view from above and of the Ticino Alps is breathtaking. Overall, you're on this round trip from the cable car station for 4 hours and 8.5 kilometers.

Important: Please be sure to check the weather conditions. Thunderstorms in the summer months are common above 1,900 meters.

In the Valle Bavona, we recommend another beautiful waterfall, the Cascata di Foroglio. You can of course integrate the waterfall into a hike. The tour follows a pleasant valley path from San Carlo to Cavergno along the Bavona River. You make a detour to see the waterfall. The distance is almost 14 kilometers long and takes about four hours (not a round trip!).

Aside from the fact that Foroglio is one of the most beautiful mountain villages in Ticino, it's also a great place to stop and recharge during the hike.

From here, it's just a few minutes to the waterfall. You can already see it from the village. Of course, you can also drive to Foroglio and walk a few minutes to the waterfall from there.

The roar of the waterfall and the nature here are truly breathtaking. The mist provides a good chill on hot summer days. We absolutely loved this place.

Tip: Near the Cascata di Foroglio, right at the entrance to the village, consider stopping at the La Froda Restaurant, which has been open since 1928.

Slowly, the paddle dips into the green shimmering water. Almost silently. If it weren't for a great crested grebe occasionally letting out an annoyed call. In the morning, you find yourself completely alone on the waters of Lago Maggiore. We particularly enjoyed the morning atmosphere.

Lago Maggiore lies partly in Ticino, Switzerland. The other half of this beautiful lake is situated south in Italy.

For sports activities of all kinds, Lago Maggiore is perfect. For example, you can explore the lake on a stand-up paddleboard. Naturally, there are also many sailboats and ships. Families book boat trips on Lago Maggiore.

We have a perfect camping tip for you. We stayed at Campofelice Camping Village and can highly recommend the place. You can also rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak and head out onto the lake. Perfect, right? Additionally, there is one of the famous 'Swing the World' swings on the premises. More on that in a moment.

One of the most beautiful places on Lake Maggiore is Locarno. Nestled at the foot of a mountain directly by the lake, you can either take a cable car up or navigate a long stairway. The destination is the beautifully situated Madonna del Sasso church, which overlooks Locarno.

Not only do you have a breathtaking view of Lago Maggiore from up here, but also of Locarno itself. The monastery is also clearly visible and stunning.

Tip: A further cable car, the Orselina, takes you up to the Cardada mountain station (Funivia Cardada) from Madonna del Sasso. The view from here over the lake is also enchanting.

Lake Lugano, like Lake Maggiore, is partly part of Ticino but mostly belongs to Italy. No wonder you feel like you're on a vacation in Italy here. You'll encounter colorful oleander bushes, a Mediterranean climate, and of course delicious pizza and pasta.

We can recommend a kayak tour along the shore of Lake Lugano. You'll explore the area in a sporty way and can stop for lunch in one of the small lakeside towns. We especially enjoyed the kayak tour. The water of the lake is quite warm, and there are gentle hills and small towns hugging the shore all around. You get a completely different perspective of the lake and your surroundings from a kayak. Give it a try!

Tip: You can rent your kayak at Kayak Lugano (Via Rivera, 6982 Agno). An hour costs 20 Swiss francs.

Do you want to feel like Pippi Longstocking for a moment? Then we recommend trying out the Swing the World in Ticino. These are handcrafted swings hung in the most beautiful spots in Ticino, making them the best Instagram locations.

On the swings, set against breathtaking backdrops, you're sure to feel like Pippi Longstocking. And in the meantime, you'll also enjoy spectacular views.

Our favorite Swing the World locations include Morcote, Lake Maggiore, the Cascata di Foroglio waterfall, the mountain village of Rasa in Centovalli, Cardada above Locarno, right by the shores of Ascona, as well as at Pizzo Zucchero.

Finally, we have a wild action tip for adventurous visitors to Ticino. How about a bungee jump like James Bond? At Lago di Vogorno, at the start of the Verzasca Valley, there's a massive dam, the Lago di Verzasca. In the movie GoldenEye, James Bond, played by Pierce Brosnan, jumped 220 meters into the depths from here. The dam is one of the largest in the world. So? Are you up for it? We wish you lots of fun.