Second Visit to Monti di Lego, Ticino

Sunday June 24th -- Urs' daughter wanted to join us on a hike, so we took her to Ticino near the Verzasca Valley to a lovely collection of stone houses on a hill called Monti di Lego, a place we had been in January 2017 and which we liked very much at the time. Last year we started higher up (with the cable car to Monte Cardada above Locarno) and walked down to the alp, but this time we had to work harder to get there: We started in Mergoscia above Lake Vogorno, and walked up the hill.

So this hike consisted mainly of a steep uphill and a steep downhill (both through the forest) with a nice lunch at the Grotto (very popular) but with, unfortunately, not as great a view as we had last year because the air was hazy. The village of Mergoscia at the start of the hike is always a treat though, with the never-tiring view over Lake Vogorno and the Contra Dam. And even though the one-hour descent to Contra was very steep, we were treated to a couple of sightings of game: I chanced upon a beautiful roe deer buck as we rounded a corner of the trail. I was the only one who saw him, though, as I always walk ahead, and even though he was only a few meters away, he took off so quickly there's no way I could have taken a photo... but a little lower down we also glimped a chamois walking through the forest, so that was cool too.

This is a link to the hike we did in January 2017:  Monti di Lego from Cimetta 

From Locarno you travel by bus along the West side of the Verzasca Valley, to the last accessible village on this side: Mergoscia, from where you get this splendid view of Lake Vogorno and the Contra Dam

The church in Mergoscia is the last stop on the bus line, and the start of our hike

As these two slather on sunscreen, I take a few photos

Our excursion starts with an ascent through Mergoscia to have a look at the pretty buildings, before heading westward to the back of the valley

Walking along the top of the village we look down on the stone-tiled roofs to the church where we started

This was not a long hike as far as km go (only 7) but because of the ascent and descent, it still took us 3 hours.

Heading westward before starting the climb to Monti di Lego

Heading westward to the back of the valley before starting the ascent to Monti di Lego (upper left)

At the back of the valley we cross the river, and start the ascent

On the way up to Monti di Lego you get this great view into the Verzasca Valley and Mergoscia

Some nature along the way, typical of this area

This is basically what we thought was so attractive when we were here the last time (arrived at Monti di Lego)

This is the popular grotto where we had our very tasty lunch. Was worth the 2-hour effort to get up here!

Eating roast beef and potato salad and bean salad at the "Capanna Grotto Monti di Lego"

We had called ahead to reserve, good thing too, as the restaurant is popular on Sundays and it was pretty full. Also, we were there at exactly 13:05!! Also, they were very impressed that we had come all the way from Northern Switzerland to hike up to their restaurant....

This is the view across Locarno and the Maggia Delta and Lago Maggiore to the South (toward Italy)

Another pretty corner in Monti di Lego, next to the Grotto (roof of Grotto below).

Above the Grotto is a view point where you can see nicely over the pretty chapel and Lake Maggiore

The steep descent to Contra took an hour through dense woods, and it was in this corner that I saw the Roe Buck

The village of Contra is built on the steep hillside (also typical here) and after leaving the forest, the rest of the descent was along these stairs. Our bus stop is at the church.

Typical of the way we hike: We made it to the bus stop with just one minute to spare. Next bus down would have been in three hours.

Last view of Contra before heading back to Locarno by bus.

In January 2017 we walked DOWN to Monti di Lego from the Cimetta summit station of the Cardada Cable Car (way easier), and down to Minusio. This time we hiked up from Mergoscia and down to Contra. Always have to try something new. 7 km, 3 hours.