Locarno-Mergoscia

From Locarno above the lake to Tenero. A roughly four-kilometre climb leads up a winding path to Contra, from where you have a beautiful view of Lake Maggiore. Immediately after Contra follows the steepest part with a gradient of 9% on average. We recommend going around the 1300 m long tunnel on the right on the old road. Until shortly before Mergoscia, the ascent flattens out, only becoming steep again at the end. The panorama from Mergoscia over Lago di Vogorno and the entrance to the Verzasca Valley is fantastic. For the way back to Locarno, you pass the hilltop villages of Brione s. Minusio and Orselina. In Brione s. Minusio there is a beautiful pool next to the road with a small waterfall where you can cool off. In Orselina it is worth making a short stop at the Panetteria Cecchettin bakery.

Average gradient Tenero-Megoscia: 6 %

Ascent from Tenero: 8.7 km

Altitude difference from Tenero: +528 m/- 18 m