Breathtaking views in Ascona-Locarno

After a twisting approach (car/bus) to the Alpe di Neggia, a fabulous hike leads through scenery studded with alpine rhododendron to the summit of Monte Gambarogno. It offers amazing views over Ascona, Locarno, the Maggia delta and on into the surrounding valleys and Italy.

The Sassariente is topped by a large distinctive cross. The summit was hard to access until a few years ago, when an elaborate, winding timber boardwalk was built to ease access for the last 15 minutes to the top (white-blue alpine hiking trail, secured with chains). What a vista!

It towers majestically above Brissago on the border with Italy and offers breathtaking panoramic views over Lake Maggiore, the Ticino Alps and the Monte Rosa massif. A variety of routes of varying levels of difficulty lead to the summit from Brissago (white-red mountain hike) and Palagnedra in the Centovalli (white-blue alpine hiking trail).

The hike to Pizzo Leone leads from the lake up the mountain. The hike is not too technically demanding, but beautiful. Ideal for discovering the highlands above Brissago. The tour is accompanied by plenty of sunshine and fantastic views. To reach the top, you have to scramble a little over the last few metres. But only a little...

The narrow Onsernone Valley is bursting with magnificent views. However, it takes a little effort to enjoy them. The Pizzo Zucchero, or Pizz Zücru in dialect, is one of those peaks that are easily accessible and definitely worth the climb. However, if you want to avoid it almost completely, you can take the Zott-Salei cable car.

The Rosso di Ribia in the Val Vergeletto is a bit of an unknown quantity, not because it has less to offer, but because it has a few quirks. But that's what makes it so interesting: it's a wonderful peak above the Onsernone valley that offers both tranquillity and glorious views. The path to the hut of the same name is marked in white-red, but to the summit it is a white-blue alpine hiking trail.

This is the tallest mountain sited completely on Ticino soil. Given its height, you can imagine the kind of vistas it offers from the summit. The long, stony ascent from Val di Prato is worth every step. At the top, you're greeted by a stone cairn and colourful Tibetan prayer flags. The ascent to the summit is a white-blue alpine hiking trail.

The Verzasca Valley from above. It is said that the view from Pizzo di Vogorno is unrivalled. Who knows whether this is the case... In any case, it is certain that there are many metres of altitude to conquer. As far as Bardüghee, the path is white-red, followed by a technically demanding ascent to the summit (white-blue). A slightly less difficult alternative leads over the Capanna Borgna (white-red).

Do you still have the energy to explore more mountains in the Ascona-Locarno region? Click here for a large selection of easy hikes and challenging mountain tours, mountain refuges and places to eat. The sky's the limit!