Vineyard Trail on the Sunny Side of Magadino (Gudo to Riazzino)

Sunday November 20th, 2022 -- Another trip into the sunshine, nine kilometers through the vineyards and villages along the Magadino Plain near Locarno and Lago Maggiore, along the southern flanks of the steep mountains there. We are usually assured full sunshine in this area in winter!

The trails along this mountain flank are called "Vie delle vigne", or "Vineyard Trails". We've walked here several times already, so I tried to pick new trails that didn't duplicate previous ones walked. There are plenty of forest trails and roads through the communities, and always lots of interesting things to look at. This time we started in Gudo and ended in Riazzino, climbing into the hills twice as there is no bridge across the gorge which separates the two sections here. 

One feature we passed for the second time was a lovely mountain waterfall with idyllic pool. And otherwise, always new villages to discover, and the wonderful view of Lago Maggiore to admire. Particularly impressive is the variety of exotic vegetation here: Persimmons, Kiwis, Yuccas and Agaves, Banana Trees, Palm Trees, Monkey Trees, Olive Trees and still lots of garden flowers! (Often with a backdrop of snow-covered mountains, but not this time). And what I like in particular about this area, is that most of the uphill and downhill sections are long sets of stairways, which make especially the long ascents much easier!

(Links to the other times we walked along this mountain flank: 
-  Feb.2018: Starting on the east side and walking westward to Cugnasco --> HERE 
-  Dec.2018: Starting on the west side and walking eastward to Cugnasco --> HERE   )

Most of our hikes start at the bus stop in front of the local parish church! This is in Gudo, at the foot of the southern flanks of the mountains of the Magadino Plain

There is always time for a quick look into the parish church, in search of some impressive artwork, especially on the ceilings. 

This was a first.... I'm pretty sure that was a grapefruit!

We observed someone picking persimmons (kaki) with this unusual clamp on a long stick. It took him a long time to bring down a few of the ripest ones!

We started on the 9-km hike in Gudo at 10:30, ascending into the forest, then following some paved roads before descending to Cugnasco, as there is no bridge over the gorge before Agarone. The second section was another ascent, and some forested sections, before descending to Riazzino. We caught the train back at 3:30 p.m.

A look over the village of Gudo as we head up the hill

There were lots of stairs on all sections of the trail!

Another persimmons tree with a little bird, "Kohlmeise", or in English: "Great Tit" (an unfortunate name for a cute little bird)

This is a section of the "Vineyard Trail". Even on the other sections of the themed trail, there were vineyards in abundance, as this hillside has good sun exposure!

A look down at the Magadino Plain and Monte Tamaro and Monte Gambarogno in the back (mountains we have been on several times)

"Via delle vigne" heads off uphill to the right. We are heading direction Cugnasco, as we have done the right-hand trail previously. 

Crossing the little waterfalls we remember from a previous hike this way!

These kinds of pools are always worth checking out more closely. 

Imagine this in late November!

Below us the long canal of the Ticino River as it heads toward Lago Maggiore, and from there on south to Italy. This was the view from our lunch-time picnic spot. 

Lunchtime picnic bench with a view!

Always good to find fountains to refill our bottles

There are always many cats in this region. This one is definitely also enjoying the early winter sunshine!

A cow under a banana tree?

Another great view of the Magadino Plain

An entire small hill all tiered with grape vines

Little stone hamlets around each corner

A veritable palm garden

Higher up above us, the road curves to these few houses, and stops shortly afterwards. It is incredible the amounts of paved roads that wind up the mountains here, to access only a few groups of homes!

Steps down to the road in Cugnasco to cross the ravine before ascending again on the other side. 

Rooftops of Cugnasco

Heading back up the hill on the other side

So many exotic plants here: Banana trees, Monkey trees, Palm trees, Agave

Beautiful stonework, walls and houses

We sat for a while on the little round stone wall beneath the lovely old olive tree... 

Above the Magadino Plain

Heading into Agarone. There were lots of interesting things to discover in just a few meters of village here!

Perfectly laid out and groomed cobblestone streets. 

Tastefully painted shrines built into the house walls

I love how the steps are simply stone slabs built into the DRY stone walls (no mortar). Not sure what the granite slab with the large round hole would be for?

The stone steps are granite slabs built into the stone wall of the house

VIDEO:

Walking through the narrow alleyways of Agarone

This here is the old village grape press. We tried opening the door but it was locked, which is a shame, because these old devices are very interesting. 

The Agarone Community Wine Press was used by many families in the village from the 17th Century onwards, till the 1930's. The wine press was restored in 1965 and is a protected monument of Canton Ticino. (A real shame that we could not go in). 

Passing through the patio of the local restaurant, which was currently closed, we came upon this lovely old painted armoire, date on it: 1790, simply out in the open like this?

And why, oh why, is there a slide here, to fling the kids down the stone steps at the end of the slide?

There are still flowers blooming in the gardens here!

Lago Maggiore

In the very back, on the opposite side of the lake, is the Maggia Delta and the city of Locarno. On the right, Monte Cardada, Locarno's mountain (and even a ski hill in winter!)

Another old olive tree

Last long set of steps to get to the valley bottom, and the train station in Riazzino

What our hike looks like on Google Satellite Maps. The River is the Ticino. 

Heading back to Bellinzona with the train, this is the approximate line of the trail we walked

Because this is the sunny side of the Magadino Plain, we have done many hikes here, most of them in the winter months (including on VERY boring long walk along the Ticino River Canal)

Location of the Magadino Plain in Switzerland