February 11, 2018 -- After about two weeks of no excursions, this week was all about getting away from the colder-than-average February weather in the North (approx. -3 deg. but that is cold for us!) to find some +8 deg. weather and sunshine.
Which meant heading South twice in a week! After a quick change of plans on Sunday (after getting to our original planned destination we realized it was the shady side of the mountain), we decided to do a small (for our standards) loop hike on a South-facing slope, one that I've wanted to do for a long time now: From the village of Tenero (near Locarno) up on one side of the Verzasca ravine, across the beautiful Contra Dam (made famous in the James Bond movie "Golden Eye") and back down the other side. We had all-round success with this one. Lots of sunshine and views and lots and lots of stairs, about 300 altitude meters on both sides.
And always on our excursions there are special unexpected surprises: An impromptu trip across the border to Luino in Italy where we saw some relatively rare locomotives on their way North to the Carnival in Bellinzona (a 150-year-old tradition called Rabadan), and then catching the end of that same carnival parade on our way home. And particularly satisfying is to know we had a mild sunny day while this day up North was wet and cloudy.
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| A short detour across the border to Luino in Italy, before heading back North along Lago Maggiore |
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| In Luino they were preparing a special "ancient" train for an extra run up to the carnival in Bellinzona (Switzerland) |
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| Heading North again, we decided on short notice to walk up to the Contra Dam in the Verzasca Valley |
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| The hike up the left side of the ravine to Contra consisted mostly of steps. The 7 km hike took us just over 2 & 1/2 hours. |
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| Most of the way up to the altitude of the dam, the trail consisted of steps. |
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| View of the Dam from the village of Contra |
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| This area is lush with a type of palm tree that withstands temperatures up to -10 degrees. |
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| A splash of colour in these Camellia bushes, some of which were already finished flowering. |
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| Church tower in Contra |
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| This is where we had a late picnic lunch (in Contra, overlooking the Magadino Plain) |
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| Great view from our picnic bench across the Magadino Plain. |
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| I love the juxtaposition of palm trees and snow-covered mountains. |
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| A short piece of the trail is on the road to Mergoscia, but then we head down through the steep forest to the West side of the dam. |
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| Crossing the stunning Contra Dam (also known as the Verzasca Dam). In the center is a structure for bungee jumping. |
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| View North into the Verzasca Valley. They have lowered the level of Lake Vogorno to accommodate the spring snow melts. |
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| Popular adrenaline rush: Bungee jumping from the center of the Contra Dam (made famous in the James Bond movie "Golden Eye") |
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| This is probably the smallest bench we've yet come across! |
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| Heading back down on the other side of the ravine, through Gordemo, back to Tenero. Lots and lots of stairs. |
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| Another pleasant surprise: I've seen old telephone cabins converted to defibrillator stations, but mini-libraries are a unique idea! |
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| We had 20 minutes to change trains in Bellinzona and caught the tail end of their Carnival parade (called Rabadan), a 150-year-old tradition in this city.
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Just one of many Guggenmusik bands that march in the Rabadan Parade in Bellinzona.
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| Old steam engine preparing for the 5 pm trip back to Italy |
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| And the weather up North as we emerge from the Tunnel. Glad we were able to enjoy a sunshiny day! |
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