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Trail Running recommended route Trail Running  · Ascona-Locarno

Cardada-Mergoscia Trail

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  • Cima della Trosa
    Cima della Trosa
    Photo: Rémy Steinegger, Ticino Turismo

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    Alpine trail from Cardada to the summit of Cima della Trosa and down to Mergoscia – with breathtaking views, forests, and sunny alpine meadows. 

    moderate
    Distance 13.3 km
    3:00 h
    618 m
    1,220 m
    1,862 m
    729 m
    In just 5 minutes, you can reach Cardada from Orselina by cable car through a fascinating alpine landscape. A short pine-lined paved path leads to the departure station of the chairlift to Cimetta.

    At Cimetta, 1,670 meters above sea level (the ideal starting point for this trail), you will find, besides a mountain hut, the geological observatory where the Insubric line is displayed, and from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Magadino plain, the mountains, and numerous alpine peaks.

    From Cimetta, the trail continues on a comfortable, steadily ascending path to the Cima della Trosa. After admiring the magnificent panorama, you can either return to Cimetta and then the same way back to Cardada or continue from Cima della Trosa along the sunny slope of the Mergoscia valley, passing the Alpe di Bietri (known for its typical small fresh cheeses) and several other alpine pastures made up of groups of stone houses down to the charming village of Mergoscia in the Verzasca valley. The last section before the village, which is located above Lake Vogorno, mostly runs through the forest. Mergoscia is also known for its beautiful church dedicated to Saints Gottardo and Carpoforo.

    From Mergoscia, there is the possibility to return to Locarno by bus.

    Difficulty
    T2 moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Highest point
    1,862 m
    Lowest point
    729 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
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    Track types

    Asphalt 12.07%Forested/wild trail 8.09%Path 79.83%
    Asphalt
    1.6 km
    Forested/wild trail
    1.1 km
    Path
    10.6 km
    Show elevation profile

    Tips and suggestions

    www.cardada.ch

    Roadbook

    Cardada-Capanna Cardada-Capanna Lo Stallone-Cimetta-Bassa di Cardada-Cima della Trosa-Alpe di Bietri-Faed-Mergoscia
    Rest stop
    Tip
    Nearby
    Top Partner
    Waypoint
    Start point
    End point
    Low point
    High point
    Forecast
    Today {low} to {high} and {precipitation} of {precipitation_type}
    show {x} more
    Photo
    Video
    Cable car Orselina-Cardada
    Chairlift Cardada-Cimetta
    Panorama sul Lago Maggiore
    Capanna Cimetta
    Cima della Trosa
    Alpe di Bietri
    Mergoscia
    Albergo Ristorante Cardada
    Casa Colmanicchio
    Capanna Cardada
    Capanna Lo Stallone
    Mergoscia, Posta
    Minusio › South: Locarno - Ascona - Lake Maggiore

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'703'692E 1'116'387N
    DD
    46.190964, 8.781805
    DMS
    46°11'27.5"N 8°46'54.5"E
    UTM
    32T 483162 5115288
    w3w 
    ///unveils.quilt.chilled
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Book recommendations for this region:

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    Equipment

    👕 Clothing:
    • Functional, breathable shirt
    • Trail running shorts or leggings
    • Sports socks
    • Light wind-/rain jacket
    • Hat or headband
    • Sunglasses with UV protection

    👟 Shoes:

    • Trail running shoes with good grip

    🥤 Hydration:

    • Trail running backpack or hip belt
    • At least 1 liter of water
    • Energy bars, gels or dried fruits

    🧭 Safety:

    • Fully charged mobile phone
    • Map or GPS track of the route
    • Signal whistle
    • Small first aid kit
    • Emergency blanket

    ☀️ Additional tips:

    • Sunscreen
    • Anti-chafing cream
    • Trail running poles (optional)

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated from German.

    User Questions

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    Difficulty
    T2 moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    13.3 km
    Duration
    3:00 h
    Ascent
    618 m
    Descent
    1,220 m
    Highest point
    1,862 m
    Lowest point
    729 m
    Public-transport-friendly Scenic Linear route Cableway ascent/descent Refreshment stops available Summit route

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

    Statistics

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