Valle Maggia - Lago del Narèt 114 km
near Ponte Brolla, Cantone Ticino (Switzerland)
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Trail photos
Itinerary description
I started near Ponte Brolla where a cycling bridge crosses the Orrido di Ponte Brolla, and where you will find some free parking along the road. A bit further, there is paid parking for people wanting to swim in the Maggia upstream of the Orrido. You follow the cycling path which takes you on a bridge across the road to Avegno di Fuori. Just before Gordevio the cycling path keeps you outside the main road gallery and gives you a good view of the Maggia river. Just after Gordevia there is a 1.6 km stretch of semi-paved cycling path, less suited for the road bike. See the waypoint for more information. You cycle through Maggia village with a good view of the church on a hill. You keep to the cycling path taking you on a separate track from the main road or on alternate roads through villages like Coglio, Giumaglio and Someo. You then cycle on the main road to Riveo, past a stone quarry and cross the bridge at Visletto. Here the separate cycling track continues through Cevio and then on to a dedicated bridge. Directly after the bridge there is again 200 m of semi-paved cycling path (see waypoint). The last stretch of the cycling route takes you to the beautiful village of Biscagno, and finally to Cavergno. From here you follow the main road through the Maggia valley. Directly after the village, the climbing is a bit steeper with two hairpins, but then continues moderately for about 7 km (3% average) until Peccia. From here you climb 4 km with average 9% on a road with 15 hairpins. From another bridge across the Maggio, the road flattens a bit (5% average) in the 3.5 km ascent to the picturesque town of Fusio. In Fusio you can cross the bridge and take a small road through a part of the village full with traditional wooden houses on a stone basis. After Fusio, the road becomes narrower, and you climb to the reservoir dam of Lago del Sambuco (almost 3 km at 6% average). On the concrete dam in the full sun a lot of martins (swallows) were resting. You could see them resting just below the edge. After the dam, the road narrows further and takes you along the reservoir for 3.5 km, and then climbs steeply for 3 km (steepest section 16.2%, and 1 km with an average of 13.5 %) to Grasso di Dentro where you can give your legs a bit of rest until the Maggia bridge before you embark on the last 5.5 km with an average of 10%! On the last stretch you get to 3 small lakes before you get to the reservoir Lago del Narèt. Here you can go two ways. I took the right one to the end giving you good views of the lake and the Maggia valley below the dam (the Maggia is the main stream feeding the reservoir).
After having enjoyed the view you go back down almost the same way you came, only sticking to the main road now to avoid the semi-paved cycling paths.
Waypoints
Cavergno
In this village, the marked cycling path ends, and you continue on the main road
Cycling Path bridge
Bridge built especially for cyclists. To make it perfect, they should pave the 200 m of semi-paved cycling path directly after the bridge as well.
Cycling Path outside gallery
Here, the cycling path keeps you outside the main road tunnel, and gives you a good view of the Maggia
Lago del Narèt
Reservoir with two dams with the Maggia being the main stream feeding the reservoir
Lago di Sassolo
One of three small lakes (laghetti) just below Lago del Narèt. This looked like a natural lake.
Lago Superiore
One of three small lakes (laghetti) just below Lago del Narèt. This looked like a natural lake.
Maggia bridge
Bridge across the Maggia just after having climbed the 15 hairpins stretch.
Maggia bridge Grasso di Dentro
Here is the bridge across the Maggia stream near Grasso di Dentro
Orrido di Ponte Brolla
A cycling bridge across the Maggia gives you a good view of the Maggia which flows through a narrow and winding gorge of its own making
Reservoir Dam Lago del Sambuco
Reservoir dam of Lago del Sambuco. When I was there in the morning a lot of martins rested on the almost vertical concrete wall, sunning in the morning sun. You could observe them close-by by looking over the edge.
Semi-paved cycling path 1.6 km
Here the asphalt ends and is replaced by gravel with small stones. Not ideal for a road bike, but doable if it is not too wet and you reduce speed a bit. You can easily avoid it though by taking the route I did on the way down.
Semi-paved cycling path 200 m
Directly after a new cycling bridge, the pavement is replaced by a stretch of fine gravel for 200 m, short enough not to avoid it. If you want to avoid it, take the route I did on the way down, but the approach to Bignasco on the cycling path is worth the slight inconvenience.
Comments (2)
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Hey, look awesome trip, and the pictures are beautiful! Thanks for the descriptions and sharing. https://nl.wikiloc.com/routes-fietsen/valle-maggia-lago-del-naret-114-km-20037856/photo-12534138
You are welcome, danny! It was an awesome trip.... https://nl.wikiloc.com/routes-fietsen/valle-maggia-lago-del-naret-114-km-20037856/photo-12534138