Intragna - Centovalli
I did this hike on the 29th of November, 2024. It was late in autumn, but since it looked like a very sunny day in Ticino, I decided to go for a hike and chase some late autumn colors. I had never been in this area before, but the valley looked interesting, and I decided on the below loop from Intragna.
Full route: Swisstopo
I reached Intragna from Zürich by train, and started the hike right from the train station. It was a beautiful November day with blue skies and sun. I decided to hike up to the top first and then come back along the lower part above the valley floor.
Already from the beginning of the hike, I had great views to the snow covered mountains, and I was quite surprised about still finding some orange trees, which looked very nice despite the fading colors.
The higher I got on the trail, the more mountains I could see. Before the last stretch up, the trail turned around a bend, and I could see the snow covered mountains above the Maggia valley. I really like the contrast between the snow covered peaks and brown landscape.
Following the trail, I had for a short time also views into the beginning of Valle Onsernone, a valley I have heard a lot of nice things about. There had been some snow fall in the week before my visit, and on the northern side of the mountain, I did have to walk through some snow, but only for a short time.
Just after reaching the top of the hike, and passing under the peak of Aula, I reached the church, Madonna della Segna. It was very nice and peaceful as I was the only one here, and I payed a small visit before continuing. From here, I started the descent down into Centovalli.
Still up high, I had really great views to the mountains on either side of Centovalli, and it gave me inspiration for a couple of new hikes in the area. The descent was generally beautiful and for a long time, the trail went through open landscape.
I came back down to the forest and the golden trees, and took some last looks at the snow covered mountains, before walking the last part back to Intragna through the forest. This part fo the trail was at times narrow, but not demanding. Back in Intragna, I took the train back to Locarno, from where I continued back home to Zürich.
