Trekking Maggiore Stage 3: Rifugio Arena-Rifugio Corte Nuovo

Route entering the hunting reserve where it is not uncommon to startle a capercaillie flying away. The path initially crosses pastures and rhododendrons. Once you arrive at Alpe Madèi, a small structure belonging to Alpe Porcareccio, the walk offers a more varied scenery. Then you continue to Rifugio Arena, an unattended but cozy hut where you can stay overnight and cook. Next to it is Alpe Arena, also grazed and where, in season, excellent dairy products can be purchased. The area borders the Arena Forest Reserve where various animal species can be found.

The path to Rifugio Salei is slightly uphill. After the first part embraced by a forest, you pass near a biotope rich in microfauna before reaching Alpe Pièi Bèchei.

Arriving at Salei, a splendid alpine pasture, one of the most beautiful in the canton with a spectacular view, there are various opportunities to stay entertained. There is Rifugio Salei, which is staffed during the summer season; about 45 minutes' walk westwards towards Pizzo Pilone leads to the magnificent small lake of Salei (1924 m.a.s.l.). Eastwards from the hut, you can head towards Pizzo Zucchero. On the summit of Pizzo is a beautiful Swing the World swing, where, with exceptional 360° visibility on a beautiful sunny day, you can see both the lowest point of Switzerland, Lake Maggiore, and the highest point, the peak of Monte Rosa.

Continuing the hike south on the Trekking Maggiore path, you cross Val Lavadina. The walk is calm and pleasantly downhill. You then reach and emerge at Monte Ligünc, where a beautiful view over the entire Onsernone Valley dominates. Continuing downhill, you pass Cavò and soon reach the picturesque village of Comologno. This village is characterized by some stately palaces, including the famous “Barca,” a building that hosted illustrious personalities of the intellectual scene fleeing fascism of the era. In Comologno is also Palazzo Gamboni, a small Hotel de Charme awarded the prestigious Swiss Historic Hotel label, along with the nearby Osteria Palazign.

The path continues downhill where, before reaching the forest again, you pass by the church of San Giovanni and the beautifully completely restored Via Crucis. Passing through Curt by a nicely restored path, you walk with a gentle slope first reaching Piva then Tecc dal Bocc before entering the Onsernone Forest Reserve. Starting the ascent, you pass the Curt dal Cason and then arrive at Alpe di Ruscada. The walk then continues eastwards reaching the ridge of Corte Nuovo, where with a magnificent view over the entire Onsernone Valley, Centovalli and Locarnese you continue to Rifugio Corte Nuovo.