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T e Travel Guide 13


Surprising Switzerland: Ticino the beautiful sunny region that’ll thrill adventure-lovers


Switzerland’s southernmost canton has a Mediterranean climate that makes it easy to take in the awe-inspiring views from mountain trails, forest paths and rock faces


L


ocated in the Swiss canton of Ticino, Ascona-Locarno may not be on many tourists’ radars


— but it really should be, blessed as it is with an irresistible Alpine-meets- Mediterranean charm. Here are fi ve of the top outdoor adventures to experience that show the best of this sun-kissed Swiss region.


Hike through local history Take in millennia of Ticinese culture on the Giro delle Rovine del Castelliere, a four-mile trail that climbs up to the prehistoric ruins of Castelliere castle via the Oratorio Sant’Anna, a 17th-cen- tury chapel whose terrace overlooks the gleaming Lake Maggiore. Continue past the smooth granite rock formations of the Orrido di Ponte Brolla gorge, passing historic shrines, tumbledown rustici (stone houses) and grotti — tavern-style restaurants that were once rock-cut cellars used to store food. Stop at one


for some shade and luganighetta (grilled sausage), then follow the Maggia river to Ponte Brolla and jump in.


Lace up your running shoes Runners can really pound the pave- ment in Ascona-Locarno, where everything from lakeside jogs to chal- lenging mountain ascents is on off er. T ose who want to go the distance will love the RunT rough Trails Ascona- Locarno event on 31 October and 1 November 2025. T e 15-mile and 26-mile courses take in Locarno’s cobblestoned Piazza Grande before blazing through autumnal moun- tain forests and rocketing up 5,200ft to the Pizzo Leone summit. T ere’s also a two-mile race up the 400 steps to the Madonna del Sasso sanctuary — Italian Switzerland’s most famous site of pilgrimage, perched on a wooded crag with spectacular views of the lake and mountains below.


Float above the mountains T e best way to take in Ascona-Locarno’s Alpine scenes? From on high — visitors can paraglide over the region’s lakes and mountains, including Switzerland’s highest point, the towering Dufourspitze. Mountaingliders has a multilingual team of professional local pilots to help you take advantage of the updrafts and thermal lifts while aloft, twisting and turning in a display of airborne acrobatics. T is exhila- rating experience takes off at 5,500ft and concludes at the Maggia delta — fi ttingly, Switzerland’s lowest point, where you can pad down to its sandy beach and into the cooling lake.


Try your hand at bouldering Professional boulderers from all over the world may come to Brione Verzasca to


prep for competitions, but the


granite rock faces found in this valley are popular with climbers of all levels. T ere are more than 700 routes on off er — some winding through the forest, its lofty spruce trees off ering shade from the sun, while others are directly on the Verzasca River, so don’t forget your swimming gear.


Take in top vistas For some of the best views in Switzerland, take the cute, bright-blue funicular from Locarno to Orselina, then hop on a sleek cable car to Cardada, perched at nearly 4,400ft. If you’re still not high enough, there’s an optional chairlift up to Cimetta, a whopping 5,482ft above sea level. From here or Cardada, you have your pick of hiking paths: from


Plan your trip Zurich airport — served by direct fl ights with SWISS and other airlines from London, Manchester and Edinburgh — is around two and a half hours by train from Locarno. Getting around Ticino is easiest by public transport, and many accommodations will


include free


public transport for the duration of your stay if they are a Ticino Ticket partner. You can also use the Swiss Travel Pass for unlimited travel on trains, buses and boats. Check weather forecasts and route conditions for outdoor activities before setting out.


For more information, visit ascona-locarno.com


Nordic walking and orienteering trails to pleasantly hilly rambles and breath- taking descents into the Maggia and Verzasca valleys.


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