Long Distance Hiking recommended route Multi-stage route

Intragna-Brione Verzasca

Long Distance Hiking · Ascona-Locarno
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  • Refuge Alpe Masnée
    Refuge Alpe Masnée
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    Four days, four valleys. A four-day tour through four characteristic and scenically wonderful valleys of the Lake Maggiore region.
    difficult
    Distance 35.9 km
    16:00 h
    3,603 m
    3,183 m
    2,089 m
    316 m

    The tour starts in Intragna in the Centovalli, the valley of a hundred valleys. Via the old market path, the Via delle Vose, you reach Loco in the Onsernone Valley. It is the wildest of the four valleys and it seems as if time has stood still here. The journey continues over the Passo della Garina, famous from Max Frisch's story "Man in the Holocene", from where you descend into the largest valley in Italian-speaking Switzerland, the Vallemaggia. The river that gives the valley its name attracts many bathers in summer. A strenuous stage lies ahead with the ascent to Alpe Masnee. Once you reach the Rifugio, you can enjoy the peace and quiet and the alpine landscape far above civilisation. The last section leads into the Verzasca Valley. A long descent, past the beautiful Starlaresc mountain lake and the hut of the same name. When you reach the valley bottom, the emerald-green Verzasca River catches your eye. Four valleys so similar and yet each so unique in its own way.

     

    Attention: The Intragna-Pila-Costa cable car is closed until further notice due to renovation work. Information is available at www.ascona-locarno.com/funivia-intragna or at our Info Desks.

    Profile picture of Mariano Berri
    Author
    Mariano Berri 
    Update: September 10, 2024
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Highest point
    2,089 m
    Lowest point
    316 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 4.75%Forested/wild trail 1.57%Path 89.81%Road 3.85%
    Asphalt
    1.7 km
    Forested/wild trail
    0.6 km
    Path
    32.2 km
    Road
    1.4 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Mountain hut Alpe Masnee
    Mountain hut Starlaresc

    Safety information

    Sentieri Svizzeri - Escursioni sicure

    Start

    Intragna
    Coordinates:
    SwissGrid
    2'697'582E 1'114'805N
    DD
    46.177649, 8.702342
    DMS
    46°10'39.5"N 8°42'08.4"E
    UTM
    32T 477025 5113828
    w3w 
    ///audit.panoramic.suffix

    Destination

    Brione Verzasca

    Turn-by-turn directions

    Intragna-Pila-Vosa-Niva-Loco-Ighelon-Passo della Garina-A Córton-Moghegno-Maggia-Al Pontíd-In Maiásc-In Adèva-Laghetto di Pianca-Rifugio Alpe Masnee-Lago del Starlarèsc da Sgióf-Capanna Starlaresc-Motarüch-Piano del Vald-Brione Verzasca

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'697'582E 1'114'805N
    DD
    46.177649, 8.702342
    DMS
    46°10'39.5"N 8°42'08.4"E
    UTM
    32T 477025 5113828
    w3w 
    ///audit.panoramic.suffix
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    • Trekking backpack (approx. 50 liters) with rain cover
    • Comfortable and sturdy footwear, second pair of shoes / sandals if necessary
    • Adequate and durable outdoor clothing in multiple layers
    • Change of clothes,
    • Telescope sticks
    • Sun and rain protection
    • Snacks and drinking water
    • First aid kit
    • Penknife
    • Mobile phone
    • Headlight
    • Maps
    • Travel documents
    • Toilet bag and travel towel, travel detergent and clothesline, camping equipment if necessary (tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, cooking equipment), hut equipment if necessary

    Similar routes nearby

    • Gordevio-Alpe Nimi-Gordevio
    • Brissago-Gridone-Brissago
    • Maggia-Rifugio Alpe Masnee-Brione Verzasca
    • Lodano-Castèll-Mött di Còll-Ör Gröss-C'öll-Mognèe d Zótt-Lodano
    • Lodano-Alpe Canaa-Lodano
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    35.9 km
    Duration
    16:00 h
    Ascent
    3,603 m
    Descent
    3,183 m
    Highest point
    2,089 m
    Lowest point
    316 m
    Public-transport-friendly Linear route Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Summit route

    Weather at the route's trailhead

    Statistics

    • Content
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    Features
    Maps and trails
    • 4 Stages
    Long Distance Hiking · Ascona-Locarno
    Stage 1: Intragna-Loco
    recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 1
    Distance 6 km
    Duration 2:30 h
    Ascent 626 m
    Descent 281 m

    Hike from one valley to another. The first stage of this exciting four-day tour leads from Centovalli to the Onsernone Valley. A hike through ...

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Long Distance Hiking · Ascona-Locarno
    Stage 2: Loco-Maggia
    recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 2
    Distance 10.2 km
    Duration 4:01 h
    Ascent 691 m
    Descent 1,046 m

    The second of four stages, leads from the wild and romantic Onsernone Valley to the magical Vallemaggia. In the footsteps of Max Frisch and his ...

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Long Distance Hiking · Ascona-Locarno
    Stage 3: Maggia-Rifugio Alpe Masnee
    recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 3
    Distance 10 km
    Duration 5:40 h
    Ascent 1,938 m
    Descent 191 m

    The third stage of this four-day tour requires good stamina. But the long and rigorous climb is worth it because the alpine landscape above the ...

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
    Long Distance Hiking · Ascona-Locarno
    Stage 4: Rifugio Alpe Masnee-Brione Verzasca
    recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 4
    Distance 9.7 km
    Duration 3:50 h
    Ascent 348 m
    Descent 1,665 m

    The fourth and last stage of this four-valley tour leads from Vallemaggia to the Verzasca Valley. A nice alternative to experience Ticino away from ...

    from Mariano Berri,   Ascona-Locarno Tourism
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