elena General information
starting point: Sonogno (919 m / 3,015 ft)
max altitude: 919 m / 3,015 ft
distance: 16 km / 10 mi (one way)
total elevation gain: 174 m / 571 ft
total elevation loss: 531 m / 1,742 ft
Trail
difficulty: E
signposts: trail n. 74, yellow signs along the trail
rest points: not along the trail
water sources: drinking fountain nearby Gerra
Timing
descent time: 4h:10m (without rests)
suggested season: June – October
Notes
- it’s a descent route: Lavertezzo is situated at 536 m / 1,758 ft
- hiking poles (?) and waterproof hiking boots are recommended
- a dog- and children-friendly hiking trail
- a packed lunch is a good idea; otherwise, some restaurants and hotels are available in the villages nearby
Searching for a great itinerary to explore the Verzasca Valley? Even though it’s mainly famous for Lavertezzo and its old Roman bridge, this area is a great destination for hiking.
Although the entire Verzasca trail can seem quite challenging with its 24 km (15 mi) of length, you can still enjoy it by choosing well a part of the trail.
In this article, I’m going to tell you about my favorite part of the Verzasca trail (also called Sentierone), the one from Sonogno to Lavertezzo.
good to know:
If you want to evaluate other itineraries, you can find more information about hiking in the Verzasca Valley and other helpful tips in this article.
Part of the trail from Sonogno to Lavertezzo | © Bielo into the Wild
Why this trail?
In my opinion, the hike from Sonogno to Lavertezzo is a nice option that allows you to explore the longest part of the Verzasca Valley trail and doesn’t require extreme physical effort.
Since you start from Sonogno, the highest point of the Verzasca Valley, the trail represents a gradual descent until Lavertezzo. Considering its length of 16 km, it would be much more difficult to do it other way round (even though not impossible).
Whatever direction you choose, be ready for an incredibly beautiful and pleasant hike, full of ancient rural buildings, waterfalls, bridges and picturesque views.
A bridge along the trail from Sonogno to Lavertezzo | © Bielo into the Wild
Parking and public transport
Sonogno is situated at the end of the road called “Via Valle Verzasca” (Verzasca Valley Road).
There are two ways you can get there:
- by bus number 321 that goes from Locarno;
- by car: from Gordola take road 13 and then follow the direction “Valle Verzasca”.
good to know:
Some additional information about the bus line 321:
- Check the updated bus timetable in advance. You can check it here by typing “62.321” in the search box. We didn’t do it and had to wait 1.5 h to get back to our car after the hike 🙂
- The price of one ticket for zones 325-326 (from Sonogno to Lavertezzo) is CHF 4.60 / EUR 4.50 and is valid two hours from time of purchase.
If you go by car, there are two parking options:
- parking of Sonogno: in this case, once you reach Lavertezzo, you will need to take bus 321 to go back to the parking place.
- parking of Lavertezzo (option one, two or three): take bus 321 to reach the starting point of the trail.
In October 2020, the tariffs were the following (prices below are listed in Swiss francs, but euros are also accepted):
- standard (min. 40 min): CHF 1.50/h*
- parkingcard (1 day, 8:00 – 19:00): CHF 10.00
- trekking (hiking): CHF 10.00 for the 1st day, CHF 4.00 from 2nd to 7th day (for each day)
*The exchange rate CHF/EUR at the time of writing this article (in 2020) is nearly 1:1.
The trail from Sonogno to Lavertezzo
Whatever transportation option you decide to choose, you will start your hike from the parking area of Sonogno. Yes, the bus from Lavertezzo will also take you there.
Once you’ve left the parking, turn right and you will find the yellow indications towards “Sentierone V. Verzasca”, “Lavertezzo” and “74” (the trail number). This is the trail you need to follow.
The beginning of the trail from Sonogno to Lavertezzo | © Bielo into the Wild
The trail runs along the Verzasca river and is very easy to follow: you will find yellow signs along the entire hike. Sometimes you will see green signs as well, but they are referring to the itinerary for mountain biking that is slightly different from the hiking trail.
Part of the trail from Sonogno to Lavertezzo | © Bielo into the Wild
Personally, the last part of the trail (from Brione to Lavertezzo) was the most challenging one because we were already tired. But this last effort was totally worth it!
Lavertezzo’s green pools and the “Ponte dei Salti” bridge (or bridge of jumps) are definitely something you should see at least once in your life.
Lavertezzo and the “Ponte dei Salti” bridge | © Bielo into the Wild
To sum up, the trail looks like this:
When to hike in the Verzasca Valley
Even though the recommended period is from late spring to late autumn, you can visit the Verzasca Valley at any time of the year.
When choosing the season, take into consideration the following:
- winter: some parts of the trail can be slippery;
- spring: in early spring the river is filled by melting water, making it difficult to cross the streams;
- summer: it can be too hot for hiking due to the low altitude – the highest town is situated at 919 m (3,015 ft);
- autumn: personally, I consider it the best season for hiking in the Verzasca Valley because it’s not crowded, and the temperature is perfect (in October it’s around 15°-20° C / 59° – 68° F).
Ready for a hike in the Verzasca Valley?
The hike from Sonogno to Lavertezzo is only one option from an incredibly rich choice of hiking trails offered by the Verzasca Valley. Yet, it’s the one that allows you to see the greatest number of breathtaking views and that will give you unforgettable memories.
See you on the trail!
ele.lukashova