Do you feel at home in the mountains? Do you love seeing the world from above? If so, don't miss these five beauties! Five challenges with breathtaking views as a reward.
Monte Gambarogno (alt. 1734 m)
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.
Sassariente (alt. 1767 m)
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!
Ghiridone/Gridone (alt. 2186 m)
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 and Palagnedra in the Centovalli (white-blue alpine hiking trail).
One alternative option is Alpe di Naccio - Pizzo Leone
The Pizzo Leone is the perfect alternative to the Ghiridone: it offers a shorter, less demanding ascent with the same reward at the end – fantastic views of Lake Maggiore!
Rosso di Ribia (alt. 2541 m)
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.
One alternative option is Alpe Salei
You take the aerial cableway or walk up to the Alpe Salei and to the Laghetto di Salei, a little mountain lake – an idyll offering fabulous views!
Pizzo Campo Tencia (alt. 3072 m)
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.
One alternative option is Prato Sornico – Capanna Soveltra
From Prato Sornico, you proceed via stone steps and pastures up the enchanting Val di Prato to the Capanna Soveltra (destroyed by fire in 2017), the starting point for the Pizzo Campo Tencia. It's a delightful spot for relaxing in the midst of an imposing mountainscape.
Have we whetted your appetite?
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!