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Round trip between Switzerland and Italy. From the Mediterranea Lake Maggiore, through the adventurous Valle Cannobina, to the traditional Valle Vigezzo.
moderate
Distance 78.3 km
Duration4:00 h
Ascent1,044 m
Descent1,044 m
Highest point965 m
Lowest point195 m
The 78 kilometres round trip starts and ends in Locarno. Along Lake Maggiore it goes to Brissago and over the border into Italy. The road is very narrow in parts and there is a lot of oncoming traffic at rush hour. It is about 20 km to Cannobio, the pretty fishing village directly on the lake. Along the Cannobino River you turn into the Valle Cannobina. As you turn into the valley, the climb through dense forests and narrow bends also begins. The Valle Cannobina is a wild, very green and steep valley. From Malesco, the route heads back towards Switzerland through the Valley of Painters, the Valle Vigezzo. In Re, you ride around the imposing cathedral. From the Swiss border, the valley is called Centovalli and leads back to Locarno. Here, too, you should avoid the road during rush hour, as there is a lot of oncoming traffic. Lights are absolutely necessary on this tour, as there are some unlit tunnels.
Author’s recommendation
As the roads are busy with commuting traffic during rush hours, we advise you to avoid these times. In addition, we recommend to have lights on your bike and bring an ID with you, as part of the tour goes through Italy.
Author
Mariano Berri
Update: November 19, 2024
Difficulty
moderate
Overall difficulty
moderate
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
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