Nature Trail recommended route

Val Bavona: Foroglio-Calnègia-Foroglio

Nature Trail · Ascona-Locarno
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  • Foroglio
    Foroglio
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Loyal to its identity in a way few valleys are, the Valle Bavona is home to a very wide variety of plant and animal species, in particular in the floodplains around the river, which are explored on these two excursions.
moderate
Distance 8.5 km
2:55 h
492 m
492 m
1,110 m
682 m
The Valle Bavona is a fascinating area. A place where the enterprising spirit of humans has blended perfectly with nature, with truly surprising variety in terms of biodiversity. Both setting off from Foroglio, these two itineraries provide an introduction: the first winds its way towards San Carlo, while the second moves through the Val Calnègia. The privilege, in addition to the opportunity to admire a picture-postcard landscape, is the chance to explore nationally important floodplain areas rich in plant (e.g. the Salix elaeagnos, grey alder and ash) and animal species (such as the common frog and the fire salamander). During the excursion, you will also see splüi (shelters under the rock) and suspended meadows (cultivated boulders) that bear witness to the ingenuity of humans when it comes to exploiting even the most unthinkable places to provide themselves with food. This particular agricultural landscape is also very popular with various species of reptile (such as the common wall lizard and the Italian slowworm), crickets, grasshoppers, locusts and a myriad of butterflies (more than 100 species have been identified). Higher altitudes provide the ideal habitats for chamois, ibex and marmot, as well as the rock partridge, a fascinating species that is not easy to observe.

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

Profile picture of Mariano Berri
Author
Mariano Berri 
Update: April 01, 2022
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Highest point
1,110 m
Lowest point
682 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 1.17%Forested/wild trail 0.18%Path 98.46%Road 0.16%
Asphalt
0.1 km
Forested/wild trail
0 km
Path
8.4 km
Road
0 km
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Safety information

Sentieri Svizzeri - Escursioni sicure

Start

Foroglio (Bavona)
Coordinates:
SwissGrid
2'685'379E 1'136'398N
DD
46.373529, 8.548298
DMS
46°22'24.7"N 8°32'53.9"E
UTM
32T 465259 5135649
w3w 
///quail.angle.daunted

Destination

Foroglio (Bavona)

Turn-by-turn directions

From Foroglio take the path that climbs above the village and, up a long staircase, leads to the start of the Val Calnègia. Once in the town of Puntid cross the lovely stone bridge and continue on the orographic right as far as Gerra. We recommend a brief diversion here to visit the site. After returning on the official path, continue along the river as far as Calnègia.

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Bus 315 from Locarno, towards Bignasco + Bus 333 from Bignasco, towards San Carlo. Timetable on www.sbb.ch

Coordinates

SwissGrid
2'685'379E 1'136'398N
DD
46.373529, 8.548298
DMS
46°22'24.7"N 8°32'53.9"E
UTM
32T 465259 5135649
w3w 
///quail.angle.daunted
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Book recommendation by the author

Alla scoperta della biodiversità. Escursioni nelle zone naturali protette del Canton Ticino - Salvioni Edizioni, www.a-pro.ch 

Ivan Sasu, Eric Vimercati, Marcello Martinoni, SalvioniEdizioni, ISBN 978-88-7967-419-5

Equipment

  • Hiking daypack (approx. 20 liters) with rain cover
  • Comfortable and sturdy footwear
  • Adequate and durable outdoor clothing in multiple layers
  • Telescope sticks if necessary
  • Sun and rain protection
  • Snacks and drinking water
  • First aid kit
  • Penknife
  • Mobile phone, headlight if necessary
  • Maps

Similar routes nearby

  • Val Bavona: Foroglio-San Carlo
  • Places of Power in Bavona Valley
  • Basòdino: Robiei-Bocchetta di Val Maggia-Robiei
  • Places of Power in Fusio-Mogno
  • Maggia Valley: Someo-Lodano-Maggia-Someo
 These suggestions were generated by our system
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
8.5 km
Duration
2:55 h
Ascent
492 m
Descent
492 m
Highest point
1,110 m
Lowest point
682 m
Public-transport-friendly Linear route Scenic Flora Fauna

Weather at the route's trailhead

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  • 5 Waypoints
  • 5 Waypoints
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