Lodano-Alpe Canaa-Lodano

The Valle di Lodano, with its ancient beech forests, is home to a rich variety of plant and animal life and has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. From Lodano, the route immediately enters the forest and follows the red-and-white marked trail uphill towards Castel. Here, a large clearing with a stream and numerous traditional stone houses provides an ideal place to take a break.

The long climb to Alp da Canaa is steady and leads through the heart of the beech forest, where centuries-old trees can be admired. Once at the alp, hikers are rewarded with sweeping views across the entire lower Vallemaggia. The Alp da Canaa hut is generally open from around mid-May to the end of October. Those wishing to complete the hike over two days can stay overnight by prior reservation.

The descent towards Solàda first leads to Alp di Pii, where there is a small biotope. From the panoramic viewpoint just above the alp, there are far-reaching views along the valley, both to the north and south. The route then continues downhill through the forest to the road, before crossing the vineyards and returning to Lodano.

Day 1: Lodano - Castèll - Alp da Canaa, 6.5 km, 4h 30 min.

Day 2: Alp da Canaa - Alp di Pii - Solada - Lodano, 8 km, 3h 10 min.