Maggia Valley: Someo-Lodano-Maggia-Someo

The Vallemaggia is the valley with the largest surface area in the whole Locarno region. The waters of various rivers and streams from the side and upper valleys meet in the Maggia river, creating one of Europe’s largest and most vital river ecosystems. In these particularly dynamic environments, you may come across species such as the brook trout, grayling or European bullhead, or small invertebrates belonging to the caddisfly family (assuming they haven’t become prey to the white-throated dipper). Pools and ponds provide reproductive sites for toads, frogs and dragonflies, including the broad-bodied chaser. Lying in wait among the pebbles, you might find the dice snake, ready to catch a passing fish. The stony riverbeds provide space for plant species such as the Alpine willowherb, the German tamarisk or the Salix elaeagnos. Areas that are less regularly flooded are home to carpets of moss and seaberry bushes. The blue-winged grasshopper is also a frequent visitor to these areas, where it is perfectly camouflaged. On the other hand, places less influenced by the influence of floods see the growth of the grey alder, willow and poplar (in wetter areas), and ash, lime and oak (in less wet areas). The soundtrack is provided in the extensive neighbouring agricultural areas by different types of birds (such as the Eurasian wryneck and the red-backed shrike), which live alongside mammals such as the hare.

Discover more walks "Alla scoperta della biodiversità" in the printed guide (in Italian). Information: www.a-pro.ch