The Via del Ferro in Morobbia Valley

The “Via del Ferro” is a themed route that explores the ironworks and mines that have characterised the upper Valle Morobbia since the early 18th century. It visits a number of fascinating historic sites, including the spectacular ruins of the tilt hammer and furnace in Carena, mines shrouded in mystery and the reconstruction of a charcoal pile. The path winds its way through the evocative Alpine environment of the Alpe Giumello, crossing through a rare dwarf mountain pine wood to the Giggio forest.

The themed route departs from Piazza della Via del Ferro in Carena, home to a commemorative statue and the first information boards. It visits all the points of interest associated with mining and working iron that developed in the upper valley during the second half of the 15th century and between the 18th and 19th centuries. It is therefore possible to visit the ruins of the Maglio e Forno (tilt hammer and furnace) in Carena, brought to light after almost two centuries of abandonment, the two mines in the Valletta rediscovered in 2005 (the inside of the mines may only be visited as part of a guided tour) and the reconstruction of a charcoal pile.

As well as learning more about these historic industries thanks to the information boards dotted along the route, this excursion also allows you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking Alpine landscape of the upper valley, bringing you into direct contact with beekeeping on the Alpe Giumello and the reforestation that took place in the Giggio area during the first half of the last century.

The Via del Ferro is a themed cross-border route that follows the historic paths that once linked the Valle Morobbia via the Motto della Tappa or Cima Verta (2078 metres above sea level) with the Lombard valleys of Cavargna and Albano, also home to a number of mines and ironworks. Significant traces of historic ironworking activities are preserved here too: settlements, charcoal piles, post houses, and paths linking extraction areas (quarries and mines), processing areas (blast furnaces, forges and water-powered tilt hammers) and trading sites.

For more information : https://www.ticino.ch/en/itineraries/details/The-Via-del-Ferro-in-Morobbia-Valley/139294.html

The Monte Tamaro – Monte Lema traverse

Discover the beauty of the traverse taking you from Monte Tamaro to Monte Lema. You’ll face a challenging hike but one which offers breath-taking views over both the Locarno and Lugano regions, and their valleys and lakes. Along the route you’ll come across the spectacular Santa Maria degli Angeli church, designed by renowned architect Mario Botta, as it reaches out towards infinity. In addition: adventure parks, paragliding… where else can you find all of this?

The excursion starts in Rivera, from where you can reach the Alpe Foppa (at 1530m) in just a few minutes thanks to a cableway. Here you’ll find the Santa Maria degli Angeli church, designed by Architect Mario Botta during the 1990s: it has always attracted those with a fascination for architecture, and for many this is the sole reason for their visit, to admire both the decisive lines of the building, leaning out towards infinity, and Enzo Cucchi’s paintings which adorn it.

But the Tamaro region offers a multitude of opportunities for sport too, including an adventure-park, coaster bob, paragliding, mountain biking and Nordic-walking. As if all this weren’t enough, the restaurants, culture and the sheer diversity of the place make it an exceptional destination for amusement and recreation.

To start the traverse you climb toward the Tamaro Summit (1962m) which you reach in around an hour, to be met with some magnificent views. This is the beginning of a sinuous but not too challenging route along the crest of the mountain, crossing summits, slopes and alpages, which takes you to Monte Lema in the Malcantone region (at 1620m). The entire route offers spectacular views north over Lake Maggiore, Centovalli, Verzasca, Vallemaggia, Locarno and Bellinzona, while to the south you can admire Lugano with its valleys and lake. In addition, the most commanding summits of the Alps, including Monte Rosa and Matterhorn, stand out in the distance.

This is a four and a half hour itinerary between Ticino and Italy requiring some degree of fitness, not so much because its level of difficulty (it’s classified as a T2) but rather because of its duration. From the Lema you can go down to Miglieglia in comfort using the cableway. Alpe Foppa offers accommodation and food, as do others on Monte Tamaro and Monte Lema. However, you’ll need to take a good reserve of water, as along the path sources are very restricted. Proper mountain equipment is also recommended.

For more information : https://www.ticino.ch/en/itineraries/details/The-Monte-Tamaro-Monte-Lema-traverse/138358.html