Long-distance hike in Ticino: the Via Alta Vallemaggia

When you’re on the Via Alta Vallemaggia in Ticino, the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life is but a distant memory. This long-distance hiking route covers 19 stages and a total of 200 kilometres. Some of it takes you along white-and-red mountain routes, before steering you back to blue-and-white sections.

We’ll show you a version of the route encompassing six one-day legs, which you can either start in Locarno or in Fusio. Both are easily reachable by public transport.

Through Mediterranean and Alpine flora

The long-distance hiking trail is one of the most charming and interesting routes in Ticino’s Alps and leads you through Mediterranean and Alpine flora. However, the route also takes you back to the time of mountain nomads: some sections were traversed by herds of cattle, others used by groups of goats and their herders. All the huts you can spend the night in are also old, reconstructed buildings from this period.

The Via Alta Vallemaggia is an Alpine hiking route – so you need to be in good shape, have a head for heights and be steady on your feet. Tricky spots are secured with wire ropes and steps. Ideally, you’d tackle this long-distance hiking trail in Ticino between July and autumn, when the mountain peaks are free of snow.

You’ll probably be sleeping in huts, so you won’t need to carry a tent. However, make sure that your backpack is nice and light nonetheless. After all, the weight will feel much heavier once you’ve been carrying it for several days.

Map overview