Sentiero delle meraviglie

Dry stone walls, ruins, old mills, mines and kilns. This walk is like travelling back through time in the Malcantone. The natural environment of this region is also unforgettable: flora and fauna on the Magliasina river banks, expansive chestnut groves, lovely hills and typical Ticino villages.

The roughly six-kilometre circular hike begins at the Novaggio, Posta bus stop. After just a few steps, it leaves the village behind and follows an easy hiking trail into the forest. This soon becomes a mountain trail, which characterises most of the route. It winds between the trees across the wooded slopes between Novaggio and Aranno. The Al Maglio viewpoint overlooks the nearby waterfall.

The route then reaches Aranno. Beyond the village, the trail climbs again to the hike’s highest point at around 660 m. Here, the forest gives way in places to open meadows and pastures. The mountain trail then leads back towards Novaggio. Shortly before the finish, the route passes the Baroque church of San Siro, built on the site of an earlier oratory. A little farther on, the circuit ends back at the bus stop. A good two hours should be allowed for the 360 metres of ascent.