Vergeletto and the alpine lake of Salei

An easy mountain walk in the Salei area above Vergeletto, where there is a charming alpine lake, is a pleasant excuse to propose a day discovering the Onsernone Valley. This valley has preserved a special character: it is very green, wild, a little shy, and secluded. Those who visit it for the first time can’t help but return and spend more time there. Because of its characteristics, it has been loved by famous artists and writers: some found refuge in dark times, others like Max Frisch chose it as the homeland of the soul. From Vergeletto-Zott, there is a cable car that takes you to the Salei area where the homonymous alpine pasture and hut are located (food and accommodation).

After an easy walk of about 40 minutes on a path that rises quite gently and offers an unbeatable view of the Locarno area up to Lake Maggiore, you arrive at the lake, an ideal place to relax in nature and have a picnic on the meadows. Continuing on the beautiful wide path, after a little more than an hour’s walk, you reach the Arena hut, where you can eat and stay overnight. Then take the detour towards Sciüpada, where a wonderful traverse begins on the slope of this V-shaped valley. After the traverse, you reach the valley road about one kilometer before Zott, the starting and finishing point of the cable car, served by postal buses.

Warning: In the area of Capanna Alpe Salei and the alpine lake of Salei, there are flocks guarded by protection dogs.