Magnificent Combination of Scenery, 16th Century Stone Dwellings & Awe
This valley, one of Ticino’s most beautiful, has been blessed with calm and harmony thanks to the beauty of nature and human labor.
Start your walk through the Bavona Valley in the Sonlerto hamlet and enjoy the 1600 century stone houses, the granite stone paths through the villages, nestled among the towering glacier made 300 ft cliffs that surround the valley. This hamlet is built between boulders of an ancient landslide that form a tight community of well structured stone houses with the chapel and small “piazzetta”, area in the center.
Enjoy walking along the Bavona river through the forest. Within the next short distances, you will walk through places where only a few houses and chapels still remain. You will see how big boulders were used to make sheds and support stone houses. Typical barns found only in this region dating back to 1490 are visible. These wooden structures are supported by stilts with granite stones in between to protect the crops and grain from rodents and dampness.
Along the way it’s time for lunch at one of local grottos’ where you experience a typical meal of the area.
Your local guide will explain the importance of the chestnut groves and how the chestnut was one of the “staples” that provided sustenance for the community to survive throughout the year.
In Mondada you will see a small “grà”, an oven in the rock where the chestnuts are roasted. Your guide will explain that the dried chestnuts where milled into flour then baked on slabs in front of the fire made into local bread.
You will see how the many terraces and how they provided more surface for agriculture offering a wide diversity of plants and animals.
Depending your fitness and interest levels, your guide will continue your walk through the Bavona valley where you experience the other hamlets of Foroglio, Ritorto, Sabbione, Alnedo, Fontana, Mondada etc.
Highlights:
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Accessible via public transportation from Lugano, Locarno, Ascona & more.
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Easy hiking with close up views of the stone dwellings & spectacular views.
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Local guide to explain the history and significance of what you are seeing.
Season
April through October
Public Transportation Timetable:
8:35 Depart Lugano with train to Locarno
9:05 Arrive Locarno
9:20 Depart Locarno with bus
10:08 Arrive Bignasc, Posta
10:15 Depart Bignassco, Posta Bus
10:33 Arrive Sonlerto, Hamlet in Bavona
You and your local guide will walk through the various hamlets and along the sign posted trails. Given your interest to stop along the way for pictures, exploration, enjoyment, you can determine your public transportation bus schedule back to your destination. These are times listed for your planning and information.
15:55 Depart Mondada
16:07 Arrive Bignasco,
16:15 Depart Bignasco
17:10 Arrive Locarno
17:25 Depart Locarno
17:54 Arrive Lugano
Rates
Rates
Adult Standard: US 395 per person, based on 2 or more
Adult Standard: US $790 for one person
Includes
Includes
- Local English speaking Guide
- All public transportation with your Ticino Ticket
- Grotto Lunch
Not Included
Not Included
Items of personal nature.
Cancellation & Changes
Cancellation policy
The tour departs rain or shine.
Full refund 7 days prior to your tour date.
No refunds within 7 days of your tour date
Changes?
Calling outside of Switzerland: 41-79-813-36-10.
When in Switzerland, just dial 079-813-36-10 to reach our office.
Or e-mail: office@echo-trails.com
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The Day Tour Program:
Departure
Departure
Meet the guide at 8:00 at the train station in Lugano. We can also coordinate meeting your guide from Locarno / Ascona and other Ticino train stations.