Vallemaggia valley by bike

A leisurely bike tour through Vallemaggia. The cycle path is ideal for a leisurely ride off the beaten track through this enchanting valley, whether alone or with your family. Over bridges, through traditional villages and woods along the Maggia river to Cavergno.

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We start the journey in Ponte Brolla (or Locarno) where the Maggia river has ploughed a furrow through the gneiss rock and deep gorges
An old railway bridge crosses the gorge to where the 25km adventure starts. Even the 200-metre climb pales into insignificance against the many sights en route, particularly if you have an e-bike.

In Avegno, a bridge crosses the busy main street. The old centre of Avegno features cobblestone streets and squares with wonderful rustic properties and frescoes. A pleasant smell of barbecues wafts through the air from the grotti (the local rural restaurants) to the edge of the village. However, it’s still too soon for a break.

Cross back over the street to avoid the tunnel and you arrive in the next village, which is called Gordevio. Now you enter the woods, which provide some welcome shade from warm weather and the ground makes a pleasant change from asphalt. As soon as you arrive at the edge of the woods, a strong but familiar scent will greet you – wild garlic, which thrives in this setting. If you're feeling energetic, you can get off your bike and do a few laps of the vitaparcours. As the woods thin out, the sun returns. You are now in Maggia on a brief upward gradient leading to San Maurizio church at the top of a hill. In the background is the “Cascata del Salto” waterfall thundering into a huge basin.

Water in one form or another is never far away in the valley
The crystal clear Maggia river flowing along its huge river bed keeps coming back into view. There are also more waterfalls than you can count falling from the cliff edge into the valley. If you want to freshen up, you can dip your feet in the cold water or just relax and soak up some rays.

The path from Someo to Riveo is still under construction, so you have to go along the road for about 1.5 km. In Cevio, you go down a side street and then straight back onto the cycle path. Do you know the history of the Vallemaggia? If not you should visit Museo di Valmaggia (Valmaggia Museum) in Cevio. By now you may well be thirsty and possibly hungry too. Behind the museum you will find a picture book grotto.

Suitably replenished, you are now ready for the last part. Again you cross a bridge and follow a path leading to Bignasco. The roar of the imposing waterfall emanates from behind the open-air swimming pool. This is where people tend to stop and gaze in awe at the sheer volume of water. By now you have almost finished the tour, so why not take your shoes off and dip your feet in the water. If you're still feeling energetic, you can keep going to San Carlo (11km from Cavergno).