Sentiero delle meraviglie
Overview
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Distance 6 km
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Duration 2 h 5 min
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Ascent 360 m
Intro
Dry stone walls, ruins, old mills, mines and kilns. This walk is like travelling back through time in the Malcantone. The natural environment of this region is also unforgettable: flora and fauna on the Magliasina river banks, expansive chestnut groves, lovely hills and typical Ticino villages.
Description
The Malcantone region is known for its multifaceted landscapes: it is shaped by the shores of Lake Lugano, gentle hills, extensive forests, rich southern vegetation, small villages and the peak of Monte Lema. In the valleys, the visitors also discover natural wonders and man-made witnesses of time, some deteriorated. The latter are found on the Path of Wonders starting and ending in Novaggio. Grain mills, hammer mills, kilns, ore mines and castles – the thematic loop trail passes about a dozen sites with examples of the early life in the valley. Perfect for families and history buffs.
Below Novaggio, past the last houses, the trail turns into the valley of the Magliasina river. Bordered by dry stone walls, it first leads to the restored mill of Vinerà where chestnuts used to be milled. In Casé on the other hand, attempts made to mine quartz and antimony were not very successful. Ore was found in Tignavall and small amounts of gold and silver in the nearby Baglioni and Franzi mines. The path then continues to Miglieglia castle. The ruins are located in the rocky ravines of the Magliasina river, covered by a moraine. Below the path to the ruins, there are several narrow terraces. These fields were mainly used to plant rye. Today, they are overgrown by a variety of trees.
Shortly before the trail turns back, it passes the hammer mill of Aranno, where tools were made out of large iron parts. This last water-driven hammer mill in Switzerland was in operation until 1951. Information boards on the upper floor provide insight into its history and technology. Right below it is the La Monda mine. After the hammer mill, we enter the riverside forest, home to a wide range of birds (robins, warblers, blackbirds) and abundant vegetation. The area is dominated by white and grey alders. Past the mills of Aranno where grains and chestnuts from the region were once milled, we come to the last station, the brickworks. The journey through time of the Malcantone ends back in Novaggio.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Novaggio
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Novaggio
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| Ascent |
360 m
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| Descent |
360 m
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| Distance |
6 km
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| Duration |
2 h 5 min
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| Duration back |
2 h 5 min
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| Technical requirements |
Medium
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| Physical requirements |
Easy
|
| Theme |
With panoramic view
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| Signalization |
Signalisation in both directions
|
Quick Facts
Route number
