Brione Verzasca-Sonogno

The waymarking (yellow lozenges, which indicate an easy path) starts in Brione Verzasca, a place that's popular with boulderers for its granite boulders, and with sun worshippers for its bathing spots. You soon come to a picnic spot featuring a lovely chalet between Brione and Alnasca. Further upriver is Gerra, preceded by a pretty waterfall and another picnic chalet.

There's lots to discover on the mostly flat path: black Verzasca goats, stones worn smooth by the river and traditional stone houses. Gerra has a playground and the Legends Trail. Further on, Frasco, which is just above the path, boasts a mill and a micro hydropower plant.

The end point of the walk is Sonogno, a real gem with a museum and a House of Wool. The tour can be completed in either direction. Restaurants are available in Brione Verzasca, Gerra, Frasco and Sonogno. Return by bus on the Locarno-Tenero-Sonogno route.

Tip: anyone completing the walk in a down-valley direction, i.e. Brione Verzasca to Lavertezzo, can try out the "Boccia al bosco", a marble run fashioned out of wood with ten emplacements.