Switzerland, on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore Photos by Hetty
June 2013 Link to Switzerland map
We flew from Birmingham to Zurich, then caught a train to Locarno, on Lake Maggiore, one of the Italian lakes that is partly in Switzerland. We had lots of sunshine, it was very hot, and the scenery was wonderful.
We stayed for 2 weeks in a self-catering apartment with lovely views from the balcony
Day 1 – A wander around Locarno to get our bearings
Locarno lake side
Locarno castle
Locarno Piazza Grande
Locarno old town
Day 2 – link to Ascona to Brissago
Day 2 in the evening – we walked from the apartment in Locarno to Madonna della Sasso church
3.6km = 2.25 miles ascent 500 ft, descent 500 ft
Day 3 – Link to Lugano – Monte Bre
Day 4 – The mountain behind Locarno
Orselina – Cardada – Cimetta
We walked 9.2km = 5.75 miles – ascent 875 ft descent 1700 ft
Funicular to Orselina, then cable car to Cardada, then chairlift to Cimetta (5430 ft high)
View from Cimetta – you can see the Jungfrau and Monterosa
Lake Maggiore
We hiked to Cima della Trossa, then down to Cardada cable car
Day 5 – Train to Lugano Paridiso
Day 6 Bus to Porto Ronco & boat to Isole di Brissago botanical garden
Day 7 – Lake Maggiore Express
Day 8 – Collina Alta Path to Contra in the Verzasca Valley
Day 9 – Val Verzasca
Day 10 – Centovalli and Day 11 – Val Maggia – two valleys near Locarno
Also Day 11 = Back in Locarno, we walked from the apartment along Via del Vigne to Lake Maggiorre
16th century mercenary building
Day 12 – Bellinzona
Day 13 – Lugano Paridiso
Back in Locarno – our last picnic by the Lake Maggiore at Locarno
Our bus stop to go up hill to our apartment
Day 14 – Train to Zurich