There is a difference in altitude of 1208 metres between the lowest village of Avegno (299 m) and the highest, Bosco Gurin (1507 m). The valleys spread out like a hand: Val di Campo and Val di Bosco, Val Bavona, Val Lavizzara and Val Peccia; a huge hand with gnarled, crooked fingers, crossed by blue watery veins.

The Valle Maggia is one of the largest valleys in Ticino, and hence its name: Vallis Madiae means Valle Maggiore or the larger or largest valley.

The network of footpaths extending from the valley floor over the hillsides to the pastureland, the alps and the numerous crossings into the Verzasca, Leventina and Ossola valleys is particularly dense here. You can walk on paths hewn into the rock, cross little stone bridges, find settlements of all sizes and discover lots of simple buildings, often built under outcrops of rock, and hundreds of chapels and frescoes.

Traditionally popular places for excursions in this area, which also has much of interest historically, are the church of Madonna delle Grazie in Maggia with its important Renaissance frescoes, the piazza and museum in Cevio, Bosco Gurin, the Bavona valley, Fusio and the Lavizzara valley and the waterfall at Foroglio.