The Verzasca Valley

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The Verzasca Valley (Valle Verzasca) is best known for its famous spectacular age-old bridge which you can find on many postcards. Yet, there's much more to this gem.  Ideal for swimming and a paradise for hikers, this pristine valley offers a wealth of authentic beauty. The Valley is located in the south of Switzerland, surrounded by the majestic Alps, it lies in the heart of Ticino and within the Locarno district.


Valle Verzasca is considered the wildest large valley in Ticino - one where the original beauty and traditional architecture has been preserved in the form of old stone houses. These stone houses are now often rented out as a holiday home by their lucky owners. The prices here are much lower than in the rest of the Locarno-Ascona region. 

Verzasca is a paradise for hikers with steep slopes and many waterfalls. There are no cable cars or tourist resorts and so you miss the crowds that you will often find in other Alpine areas. There are walks for everyone, whether you are very experienced or not and whether you are looking for a multi-day hike or an hour's walk. The wild nature of the valley will amaze you.

The Verzasca River flows through the valley and the villages of Mergoscia, Vogorno, Corippo, Lavertezzo, Brione, Gerra, Frasco and Sonogno are located in the Verzasca Valley.

Best time to visit

You can visit the Verzasca Valley in any season. In spring you see many flowers bloom, while summer is nice and warm for swimming in the water. During fall the leaves change color, what makes an amazing sight. In winter you might see a lot of snow and the valley has its own unique feel. Click here for the average weather in Lucarno (13 km from Brione).

Where to stay

If you want to make your bucket list experience complete we recommend to stay at Casa Rossa. Its has an outdoor spa and it is a great base for walking. The stream and surrounding areas are breathtaking. You can also use the fire place to give it a romantic touch.


This place is a fantastic rental and we wished we could have stayed longer. On booking.com they get an average rating of 9.4.