The energy places of Arcegno

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Photo: Ascona-Locarno Tourism
Natural oasis and prehistoric place of worship.
The village of Arcegno, part of the municipality of Losone, is easily accessible from Locarno by bus no. 314 or by car. It is very characteristic: in the village center you can admire traditional Ticino houses and cobblestone streets. The surrounding nature is untouched and inviting, a true oasis for rejuvenation. In the village a Roman necropolis and a rock engraving have been found, while in the woods further cup-marked stones and aligned stones speak to us of the nature worship of the Celts and others.
The underground border between the European continental plate and the African plate, called the Insubric Line, runs directly through the area of Monte Verità and Arcegno. This phenomenon has led to interesting geological formations and sometimes to higher magnetism. The millenary erosion by glaciers has left beautiful smooth hills and precious swampy areas. Hills like Barbescio offer a pleasant view over Lake Maggiore and are energy points. The silent Pagani cave recalls a prehistoric place of worship. The atmosphere is centering, almost oppressive. It is said that Hermann Hesse spent a few days of meditation here with Gusto Gräser, co-founder of Monte Verità. Could it be true? Caves are interpreted in many cultures as places of initiation into an expanded state of consciousness, in which every detail is perceived as part of the complete whole. As a natural consequence of this state of consciousness, every living and non-living thing is respected.
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Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
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Safety information
This route requires a stable and sure footing, as some paths are steep or can be slippery.
Roadbook
From the church of Arcegno, walking towards the old center, take via Sant'Antonio. On a curve of the same street there is a staircase carved into the rock. At the top of the stairs, at ground level, you see a first cup-marked boulder easily reachable. After the village center, walk for 10-15 minutes on the road that crosses the Pestalozzi holiday camp. A few meters after the blue house – Casa Johanna Spyri – take a path on the left that leads to the corner of the woods, where on the opposite bank of a usually dry stream there is a boulder carved with signs, cup marks, and channels. Returning to the road, known as Strada dei Polacchi, continue for a further 10 minutes to the Pozz di Butt pond, where you also find a chapel, a wooden bridge, and a small rocky hill. Here, continue past the wooden bridge and along the slightly uphill path at the foot of the hill until you reach the rocky summit of the Barbescio hill, from which you enjoy a beautiful view towards Locarno. From there, descend back to Strada dei Polacchi, continuing right along the road until you notice a meadow with several parking spaces.
Continuing straight ahead, after a few meters on the left, a path ascends into the woods and becomes a slippery trail that in less than 60 meters leads to the Pagani Cave. Retracing your steps, continue to the Pozz di Butt pond. Here you can go down and take the path running parallel to Strada dei Polacchi back towards the village. This path passes near the pond known as Bollettina Lunga and after a final effort of 100 steps, returns to Arcegno.
Public transport
Bus 314 from Locarno, stop "Arcegno Posta"Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Andretta, C., Energy places in Ticino, Edizioni Casagrande ISBN 9788877137081
Author’s map recommendations
Andretta, C., Orte der Kraft im Tessin, atVerlag ISBN: 978-3-03800-773-9
Andretta, C., Luoghi energetici in Ticino, Edizioni Casagrande ISBN 9788877137081
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Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
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