Descent from Rasa to Intragna in the Centovalli

Wednesday July 26, 2023 -- With good weather only in the south again, we were on our way to do a high-mountain hike near Bellinzona, a hike we have also wanted to do for some time now. We knew that the cable car goes through weekly revision from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. every Wednesday morning, so this is not ideal for us, preferring to start our hikes there by 9 a.m. if possible. Arriving there before 10 a.m. after a revision also means many people are already waiting in line for the cable car which only holds 8 people. Because we still have lots of daylight, we took this into consideration, that we could afford to start later this time. As we got to the cable-car, though, a further notice informed us that the cable-car was also closed from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for inspection, meaning we would have a harder time to get off the mountain later as well.

So we headed back to Bellinzona and scrambled to figure out what else we could do here in a region where we have walked almost all the nearby trails, where it's too hot on valley bottom, and where there are too many tourists in summer. We found a good solution by heading into the Centovalli (where we have been many times), take a cable car to the lovely mountain village called Rasa (also our fourth time there), and walk down through the forest to the Roman Bridge over the Melezza River and to the village of Intragna (also one we've seen many times!). The main point was that this was a trail we had never done before and was also on our list to do. 

It was a long rough 3½-hour downhill walk with a few nice sections, and even though we started late (having gotten to the cable car only at noon), the benefit of this hike was lots of shade from the dense forest foliage. As usual, we timed it so that we got to the train station just minutes before the train back to Locarno. Having wasted our time with the detour to get here, we decided not to stay in the area, but headed home right away. 

On the train ride from Locarno into the Centovalli you pass several villages in the "Terre di Pedemonte" region. This is the church in Verscio

Arriving in Intragna, which is a town at the entrance to both the Centovalli (we walked in the region of the arrow) and Val Onsernone, to the right. 

Looking east down the Melezza River toward Locarno

The relatively new pedestrian bridge over the railway line near the Roman arched bridge, which we crossed on the way back. 

A look up the Melezza River gorge as the cable car ascends from Verdasio to Rasa

The Verdasio-Rasa cable car, also holds 8 people. We were able to get off the train and into the cable car right away, so we were up here in five minutes. (There is a party happening up here, thus the many crates of wine and grappa!!)

The cable car heading back down as the next passengers make their way up. This cable car takes a break from 1 to 2 p.m, so we timed it well to get up here by noon. 

The village of Rasa high above the Centovalli, on the south side of the valley. We are headed to Termine and Dorca, and the entire hike is about as long as going to Golino (near Intragna). There is a shorter trail to Intragna from here, 2 hours 10 minutes. (One we have also not done before). 

Walking through the alleyways of Rasa once again, as we have done several times before!

Another quick stop in the village church

Urs thought the artwork inside the church was too "busy". I thought it all looked pretty neat, very old, especially the wooden-framed organ and the lovely painted wood balcony. 

The hydrangeas in this area are fantastic, especially the blue ones. 

Heading up the hill now, moving away from Rasa. The border to Italy is just past that mountain village in the center of the photo. 

A look past the Rasa Church bell tower to the village of Lionza (I believe), which is near the Italian border. 

The section between Rasa and Termine is one we've done before. The trail was good till the little chapel past "In Ogna", but then it was a long, stony trail to the bridge at the river. We started just after noon in Rasa, and made it to the train station in Intragna at 16:20. 

Down below is the town of Intragna, the goal of our hike. 

15 minutes' easy walk brings us to the hamlet called Monti

From here the real time to Intragna on the trail we have chosen is given here: 3 hrs.30 minutes. We planned to have lunch in Dorca at about 1:30 p.m.

Looking north to the higher mountains of the Onsernone Valley, and beyond that, to the Vergeletto Valley. 

This is Termine, a junction where we took the right-hand trail on a previous hike (those photos are HERE), and where we took the left-hand trail this time. 

When it is hot as it often is here in summer, forest hikes on good trails like these are actually a welcome change. 

This is the clearing called Dorca. We are hoping for a nice bench or table that we can "borrow" for our picnic lunch!

An old, old cable car cabin!

From Dorca we still have 2 hours 45 minutes to Intragna. It's now 1:15 p.m.

A perfect spot for our picnic lunch! There didn't seem to be anyone home at the house up here. 

The clearing called Dorca. We continued on our way at 1:30 p.m. (Our lunch breaks are usually about 15 minutes!)

What's also fun is if they build really nice steps on the downhill trails!

Enjoying our hike through the cool forest. We saw a deer here, but it ran off before I could get a good photo. 

This next clearing is called Remo. There were several stone buildings in ruins here. 

Across the valley are the villages just above Intragna (Costa and Pila) and the entrance to the Onsernone Valley. 

Oh, oh, another not-so-docile looking cow blocking the trail. I guess it's also easier for them to walk along the trails instead of on the sloping hillsides. 

Taking our usual detour around (and above) the cows on the path, while being carefully observed....

From the clearing at Remo we had to descend into a small ravine, and then back up toward these little hamlets on the other side, although the trail didn't actually pass through them (the hillside is called In Ogna). 

A cute bridge off the main path. (We didn't cross it, but the lighting was pretty). 

A look back at the clearing we crossed (Remo) where we passed the Highland Cows. 

A short, interesting section. 

All these benches at the Siign Chapel (1947) were an invitation to rest for a bit, but not long, as we were running tight on time again, as usual. (Missing the 16:30 train in Intragna meant waiting till 17:15 for a bus).

I didn't notice if this cute hamlet had a name!

Heading down the mountainside toward the Melezza River. Our trail went right through those people's back yard! (toward the right)

After a long downhill section, we finally got down to the Roman Bridge over the Melezza River. 

The Roman Bridge over the Melezza River. The "Ponte Romano" was built in 1578, and is the oldest bridge in the region. It is 36 meters long and 26 meters high. 

Many people come here to lounge on the rocks in the Melezza River. We could have spent time here, but opted to hurry to the train station instead. 

Since the "Ponte Romano" became an attraction, there were too many people crossing the railway tracks here, so they had to build this pedestrian bridge. The first time I saw this bridge in 2014, we were able to cross the railway tracks down the path on the right. 

A cute yellow house on the main road into Intragna

It doesn't take long to walk through the village of Intragna to the train station. I remembered this corner from long ago, thought the tiny stone houses were very adorable. 

Main square in Intragna. I guess it is market day today!

Final few steps down to the train station in Intragna. We hurried so as not to miss the 16:27 train, and got here at 16:20.

What our hike looks like on Google Maps

Passing through the village of Tegna on the way back to Locarno.

The train also passes over the bridge called Ponte Brolla. The Maggia River, which joins with the Melezza nearby on the way into Lago Maggiore has carved some fantastic stone formations here. 

All the hikes we have done around Rasa, Intragna, Centovalli and Val Onsernone.

Location of Centovalli in Switzerland