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The energy places of Mergoscia

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  • Alpe Cortoi
    Alpe Cortoi
    Photo: Mariano Berri, Ascona-Locarno Tourism

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    The bell tower, Perbioi and Cortoi

    easy
    Distance 7 km
    3:00 h
    629 m
    629 m
    1,353 m
    724 m

    The parish church of Mergoscia, in the Verzasca Valley, is located on a terrace with a beautiful view of the lakes Vogorno and Maggiore. The bell tower represents an energy point: it is an antenna to attract cosmic energy and spread it around, as cathedrals, mountains, trees, or menhirs (standing stones) often do. The benches at the foot of the bell tower invite contemplation of the panorama.

    Along the path before Perbioi, we encounter a centuries-old chestnut tree with a huge trunk. Experts consider this tree a wise guardian at the entrance to the place of power of Perbioi. Here a precious wetland has been restored. The basin receives the earth's electromagnetic flow between north and south and is open towards east and west, receiving solar irradiation: a harmonious combination, source of peace. The basin, with a majestic view of Pizzo Vogorno, is sometimes called the "Witches' Valley." In the grove above there are stones that recall mystical landscapes shaped by populations such as the Lepontii and the Celts: a seat, an altar, and some small menhirs.

    Going up towards Cortoi, you can admire 500 stone steps, laboriously built by young volunteers under the guidance of local experts. From the chapel of San Lorenzo or the well-kept Alpe Cortoi, we can enjoy a beautiful panorama. Further on, along the path to Porchesio, there is an energy cup-marked rock with engravings from different eras.

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    Difficulty
    T1 easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Highest point
    1,353 m
    Lowest point
    724 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
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    Track types

    Asphalt 8.33%Forested/wild trail 0.77%Path 90.89%
    Asphalt
    585 m
    Forested/wild trail
    54 m
    Path
    6.4 km
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    Roadbook

    The excursion starts from the church, with its bell tower and pleasant panoramic viewpoint. From here, passing by the Tibetan center Lungta, the hamlet of Benitt is reached in 10 minutes. Here you take the path towards Cortoi, ascending along the route marked by Pro Mergoscia, passing through chestnut groves and under terraced dry stone walls, towards the Perbioi pond. The centuries-old chestnut tree, which according to a local expert may be 600 or 700 years old, is located before reaching Perbioi (about 20 min from Benitt). The basin that hosts the pond, sometimes dry, is the quiet "witches' valley." From the valley you climb right up the ridge of the small hill, into the "enchanted forest," until the panoramic viewpoint with the wooden bench. Then continue descending to the intersection with other trails, and following the Pro Mergoscia signs, climb the nearly 500 stone steps to reach the chapel of San Lorenzo and the Mountains of Cortoi (1000 m asl, 30 min from Perbioi).

    From here, in less than 30 minutes you can descend back to Mergoscia, or extend the excursion to the cup-marked rock below Porchesio, marked as no. 13 on the Pro Mergoscia route. The short tour will thus be about 1 hour and 30 minutes, the longer one to the rock and back about 2 hours and 30 minutes of actual walking.

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    Mergoscia

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    Bus 312 from Locarno, get off at the last stop in front of the parish church.

    Directions

    Mergoscia (735 m asl) can be reached by bus no. 312 from Locarno (get off at the last stop in front of the parish church) or by car. Those arriving by car can park directly in the square in front of the parish church or in the parking lot behind it. Further up, in the Benitt area, there are still a couple more parking spaces.

    Parking

    There are parking spaces in the square in front of the parish church, as well as in the parking lot behind it. In the "Benitt" area, there are additional parking spaces.

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'708'834E 1'118'665N
    DD
    46.210637, 8.848924
    DMS
    46°12'38.3"N 8°50'56.1"E
    UTM
    32T 488346 5117462
    w3w 
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    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Book recommendation by the author

    Andretta, C., Energy Places in Ticino, Edizioni Casagrande ISBN 9788877137081 


    Localization

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

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    Difficulty
    T1 easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    7 km
    Duration
    3:00 h
    Ascent
    629 m
    Descent
    629 m
    Highest point
    1,353 m
    Lowest point
    724 m
    Public-transport-friendly Out and back

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