Intragna – Loco – Passo del Garina (1076m) – Terra di Fuori – Ponta Brolla

In the middle of April, it is normally a good option to head south to Tessin to enjoy early spring time hikes. Spring flowers, warm air and a touch of Italy. Bellissimo!

2017 was no different. On Easter Friday we drove south to the small village of Intragna in the Centovalli. In Italian, “cento valli” literally means one hundred valleys, thus naming the Centovalli after the numerous (probably more than 100) side valleys tumbling down into the main valley. The valley leads from Locarno in Switzerland to Domodossola in Italy. A very spectacular railway also follows it, therefore making it very convenient to get back to the start of hikes along the valley.

There is still snow on the surrounding mountains, but in the valley, spring is definitely in the air .

From Intragna we head uphill towards to the even smaller village of Loco. This part of the hike stretches between two valleys, Centovalli and Onsernone. It is the route of one the finest mule paths in the Ticino area and links the two villages. The path dates back to the 16th century. The people of Onsernone used the path to access the Locarno and Ascona markets and also in the summer to move cattle to the Onsernone alpine pastures.

After reaching Loco, we head uphill again towards the Passo della Garina. Even at the pass, spring is in the air with ferns slowly unfolding.

Once over the pass we head down into Valle Maggia and the villages of Terra di Fuori.

It’s possible to get a bus from any of the villages to Ponta Brolla and from there a train back to Intragna. This gives us a chance to enjoy the wonderful views even longer.

While this hike can be done any time of the year, this is lovely already in early spring! We enjoyed this hike while elsewhere there was still deepest winter.