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Palagnedra-Rasa-Sacred Mountain of Brissago

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  • Rasa
    Rasa
    Photo: Fabio Bernasconi, Ascona-Locarno Tourism

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    From the remote village of Palagnedra to Brissago on the lake.
    moderate
    Distance 22.2 km
    8:30 h
    1,539 m
    1,867 m
    1,643 m
    214 m
    Before setting off towards Brissago, the church of San Michele in Palagnedra is worth a visit. Inside are frescoes by the great Lombard painter Antonio da Tradate, some of his absolute masterpieces. From Palagnedra, the path leads through the impressive forest reserve to Bordei, a charming restored village. The path continues with ups and downs to Terra Vecchia, an ancient settlement also restored over time. A short climb takes you to Rasa, the only car-free village in Ticino. The path then climbs up to Pizzo Leone, from which you can enjoy a fantastic view of Lake Maggiore. The long zigzag descent leads to Brissago, more precisely to the Sacred Mountain of Brissago, whose history dates back to the 17th century. The chapel houses precious frescoes and other artistic treasures. The descent to the village of Brissago follows the Way of the Cross, whose chapels are decorated with frescoes by Fra’ Roberto.

    Information: The Verdasio–Rasa cable car will be closed from 1 January 2026 until spring 2027 due to refurbishment works.

    Profile picture of Mariano Berri
    Author
    Mariano Berri 
    LogoAscona-Locarno Tourism
    Responsible for this content
    Ascona-Locarno Tourism  Verified partner 
    Difficulty
    T3moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Highest point
    1,643 m
    Lowest point
    214 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
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    Sep
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    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 21.83%Forested/wild trail 2.29%Path 66.55%Road 9.31%
    Asphalt
    4.8 km
    Forested/wild trail
    510 m
    Path
    14.8 km
    Road
    2.1 km
    Show elevation profile

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'692'106E 1'112'884N
    DD
    46.161136, 8.631068
    DMS
    46°09'40.1"N 8°37'51.8"E
    UTM
    32T 471515 5112017
    w3w 
    ///traps.firework.darts
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    • Hiking backpack (approx. 20 liters) with rain cover
    • Robust and comfortable shoes
    • Clothing suitable for weather conditions and durable, layering principle, and possibly trekking poles
    • Sun and rain protection
    • Supplies and drinking water
    • First aid kit
    • Pocket knife
    • Mobile phone, possibly headlamp
    • Map material

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated using Italian as the source language

    Similar routes nearby

    • The Market Route (SwitzerlandMobile 631)
    • Camedo-Bordei-Terra Vecchia-Rasa
    • Rasa-Corona di Pinz-Intragna
    • Rasa-Ronco s/Ascona
    • Monte Comino-Comologno
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    T3moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    22.2 km
    Duration
    8:30 h
    Ascent
    1,539 m
    Descent
    1,867 m
    Highest point
    1,643 m
    Lowest point
    214 m
    Public-transport-friendly Linear route Scenic Refreshment stops available

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

    Statistics

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    Elevation profile

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