Hike /Schweiz Mobil
Sentiero Verzasca
SonognoLocarno
- Distance
- 35.0 km
- Duration
- –
- Ascent
- 1350 m
- Descent
- 2100 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Fitness
- Hard
- Route type
- One way
- Season
- March - November
01/ Overview
The route
The Verzascatal valley is known as idyllic - and so is the trail, particularly the first section. It then leads past abandoned alps, a sign that life here was not always so idyllic. Particularly impressive: the mountain village of Corippo.
The long hike from the upper Verzasca Valley to Locarno begins at the Sonogno bus stop. Right at the start, it passes the late Neoclassical church of Santa Maria Lauretana. The route leads downhill through forest and across open meadows, passing the valley’s scattered settlements. Frasco and Lavertezzo provide distinctive intermediate waypoints.
At Corippo, Santa Maria del Carmine stands directly on the route. A little later, the Lago di Vogorno, a reservoir created by the Contra Dam, comes into view from some distance away. After Mergoscia, the character of the route changes: the mountain path climbs steeply through forest and across open slopes. Just over two-thirds of the way along, the route reaches its highest point at around 1,120 m.
The trail then follows the Navegna for just over two kilometres before returning to easier hiking paths. Via Locarno Monti, the long descent leads to the Madonna del Sasso viewpoint and onwards into the town. After a good eleven hours and 35 km, the hike ends beside Lago Maggiore; the Locarno (lago) stop is immediately adjacent.
02/ Along the route
What's along the way
Where the route climbs and where it descends. Hover the profile to find the spot on the map.
03/ Conditions
Current conditions
What to know before you set off. Closures and snow are re-checked every day.
Madonna del Sasso - Orselina
From 1 Jun 2026 – Until 31 Oct 2026
Dieser Wegabschnitt ist gesperrt und es gilt eine Umleitung, jedoch ausschließlich während der Nachtstunden von 20:00 bis 06:30 Uhr. An Werktagen und am Wochenende von 06:30 bis 20:00 Uhr ist der Durchgang durch den Innenbereich des Seilbahnrestaurants gewährleistet. Der Zugang und die Durchfahrt auf dem Weg für Menschen mit Behinderung sind ausschließlich während der Anwesenheit von Mitarbeitern des Bauunternehmens gestattet.
Al Cortásc
From 14 Sept 2026 – Until 30 Apr 2027
Einsturzgefahr im Zentrum, Wiederaufbau von Gebäuden.
How we check: Every night we match the route against the official closures and detours from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Any reported closure that touches the route shows up here.
How we check: We look up a live public transport connection from your starting point to the stop closest to the trailhead. If it ends further away, the nearest stop may be a cable car or bus that isn't running right now.
How we check: Snow depth estimated daily at the lowest and the highest point of the route. Estimates: check the situation on site.
04/ Getting there
Getting there
From your door to the trailhead and home again, by train and bus or by car. Computed live from the timetable.
Or from
Outbound
Return
05/ Weather
Weather on the way
Forecast for the lowest and the highest point of the route.
Weather
06/ Trail & landscape
Trail & landscape
Which paths you walk on and the landscape they lead through.
07/ Snow
Snow on the route
Snow depths, new snow and forecast. Estimates: check the situation on site before you set off.
Snow Info
Comparative snow depth is only available from November 1 to June 30.
08/ Export
Take the route with you
Load the track onto your GPS device, print a route sheet for the trail or send the route to your hiking group.
Share
Send the link to friends or your hiking group.
Export GPX File
For hiking apps, GPS watches and navigation devices.
Print Route Sheet
A4 with map, elevation profile, waypoints and emergency numbers.
