Arvigo – Braggio – Cauco – Selma – Arvigo

This is an easy, yet beautiful hike above the quiet Calanca valley. It starts in Arvigo and leads through cute mountain villages, past flower-filled meadows and wooden huts and a number of impressive waterfalls.

In Arvigo, cross the beautiful stone bridge across the Calancasca. While there is a cable car going up to Braggio, it is a lovely walk through the woods up to the village on foot. The path slowly meanders upwards on an easy path. Once you are almost at the top, the path leads out of the woods and the stunning views of the valley open up.

The path now leads through some beautiful wooden houses, before reaching the top station of the cable car. Past the cable car you will reach the village of Braggio. This village cannot be reached by car but has a small shop and even a library in an old phone booth.

Leave the village on the even path on the other side, until you reach a road. Follow the road, which very slowly makes it’s way uphill. On the way you will pass some lovely huts and there are some great views across the valley.

Once you reach the point, where two roads meet, you have conquered all the height meters of this hike. The path now leads in a large bend through the Ria di Auriglia valley and afterwards starts to descend into Selma. The impressive parish church can already be seen from a distance.

From Selma the path leads back towards Arvigo through the Calanca valley. You walk along the Calancasca river, through meadows and woods and through a couple more villages.

After about 2 hours along the valley you will be back in Arvigo. However, on a hot day it is good to know, that there is a beautiful little sandy beach on the river just about 10 min before getting back to Arvigo. You might have it all to yourself.