Tag: hiking

Cascata di Foroglio: a Heavenly Waterfall in the Val Bavona, Ticino, Switzerland

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Cascata di Foroglio

Trip Duration: 4 hours ⛰️ Difficulty Level: Moderate 🚸 Trip Date: 11 May 2025

A Day Trip to Magical Foroglio – Perfect for Families with Young Explorers

Early May took us to one of Ticino’s most picturesque gems: the village of Foroglio, tucked away in the breathtaking Bavona Valley. This car-free village, nestled at the foot of a dramatic 110-meter-high waterfall, is a dream destination for families craving nature, peace, and a little adventure. Its rustic charm, cobbled paths, and roaring waterfall made it a perfect day trip with our little ones in tow.

📍 Highest Point: 1110 m
📍 Lowest Point: 683 m

Getting There & Parking

The drive alone felt like an adventure! From Centovalli through Valle Maggia to Val Bavona, we followed the winding road beside the sparkling Maggia River. Foroglio is one of the final villages in the valley, and you can’t miss the large car park near the entrance. There’s plenty of space, plus clean public toilets and a handy fountain for refills.

Just before the forest trail starts, there’s a charming Alpine Self-Service station—a kiosk for drinks and snacks. Unfortunately, it was already empty when we arrived, so it’s worth bringing a few supplies just in case.

What to See & Do

The Village ∞∞∞ The Waterfall ∞∞∞ The Forest Trail

🌿 Foroglio: The Village

From the car park, we had two routes: a trail toward the waterfall or a forest path alongside a cascading stream. We chose to explore the village first, and it did not disappoint. The kids were excited to cross the bridge and discover the little restaurant “La Froda”, where you can enjoy local specialties to the soundtrack of falling water. Next time, we’ll plan ahead to dine here—it smelled amazing!

We wandered through the narrow lanes, where stone houses huddle together like a fairy tale scene. Among them, we spotted a few curious timber-built stilt houses, traditional to the Valais region. Their unique design—elevated on stone “legs”—was a fun architectural discovery for both us and the kids.

💧 Foroglio: The Waterfall

Well-marked signs led us uphill toward the waterfall. The trail is rocky, dotted with tiny streams, and filled with adventure. Our little ones needed some help scrambling over rocks, but that just added to the fun. The climb took us about 30–40 minutes at a kid-friendly pace—and it was so worth it.

Up close, the waterfall is absolutely awe-inspiring. The sheer force and mist make it feel like a scene out of a fantasy movie. On the way back, we returned in just 20 minutes—proof that the promise of a snack can really speed up little legs.

🧒 Parent Tip: Pack waterproofs or quick-dry clothes if you plan to get close—there’s serious spray!

🌲 The Forest Trail

After our waterfall hike, we took a more relaxed stroll along the forest path. From down here, the waterfall appears to drop straight from the sky. The crashing water creates a fine mist—beautiful, loud, and a bit wild!

As we walked further into the forest, the noise faded and birdsong took over. It was incredibly peaceful. We eventually turned back—our smallest explorer hit “low battery”—but we’re already planning to return and see more.

Tips & Tricks

  • 🧺 Tips for Families
  • 💶 Pay for parking—fines are not the kind of souvenir you want.
  • 🕛 Dine early at La Froda—it gets busy in the afternoons.
  • 🧃 Picnic-friendly: plenty of spots to enjoy a packed lunch.
  • 🥾 Sturdy shoes a must—the terrain is uneven and rocky.
  • 🚼 No strollers—bring a carrier for babies/toddlers.
  • 💧Water and toilets available near the car park and at the village top.
  • 👟 Choose your route—doing both the village and forest trail in one trip might be too much for smaller kids.

❤️ Why We Loved Foroglio

The journey through Val Bavona alone was worth the trip, but arriving in Foroglio felt like stepping into a storybook village lost in time. The preserved houses, the mighty waterfall, the peaceful trails—everything felt raw and untouched. Though the village seemed deserted, it’s lovingly maintained.

Our kids had a blast exploring the paths, balancing on rocks, spotting lizards, and racing through the forest. It’s a destination that sparked curiosity and joy in all of us.

⭐ Top Family Highlights

  • 🚗 Scenic drive through the Bavona Valley
  • 🏡 Car-free zone—safe and fun for active kids
  • 💦 Dramatic waterfall views and forest adventure
  • 🧗‍♂️ A moderate challenge that feels like a true adventure
  • 🌿 Nature immersion without the crowds

Have you visited Foroglio? Let us know in the comments—or share your tips for exploring with little ones!

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Wonderwood: Hidden Gem Family Adventure Park at Lake Maggiore, Italy

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Ranger Trail at Wonderwood

Trip Duration: 8 hours ∞∞∞ Difficulty Level: Easy ∞∞∞ Trip Date: 25 May 2025

I can’t believe it’s already been three years since we were in the hospital theatre, hearing the surprising words: “You have a baby girl!” We had always joked that girls just don’t happen in our families—so when life proved us wrong, we were overjoyed. And grateful beyond words.

Birthday cake made by Grandma.
Birthday cake made by Grandma.

To celebrate her third birthday, we decided to skip the traditional party and instead go on an adventure—a new experience we could all enjoy together.

Wonderwood Adventure Park

Getting There: A Drive to Remember

The journey to Wonderwood took us about an hour. Half of the drive followed the scenic shores of Lake Maggiore, the other half twisted upward along narrow mountain roads—complete with hairpin turns and dramatic drops. No barriers, just breathtaking (and slightly nerve-wracking) views.

I’ll admit: I needed a deep breath and a moment to reset after that drive before I could think about tree trails or ziplines. Want a glimpse of the road and the trip?

First Impressions & Planning Ahead

At the entrance, we were warmly greeted by a friendly receptionist who explained everything calmly and clearly. The atmosphere was unhurried, which set the tone for a truly relaxed day. We immediately reserved a table for lunch on the panoramic terrace—a must if you’re visiting during peak hours.

Rope Course Adventures for All Ages

We headed straight to the rope courses, where everyone received a helmet and safety harness. After a short but thorough training on a practice course, we split up:

  • Our daughter (the birthday girl!) tried the low-level course, which is suitable from age 3.
  • Our son and my husband tackled the medium course, which runs 3 to 6 meters above ground.
  • There’s even a high course 9 meters up—for next time!

More Than Just Ropes: Other Highlights

🐿️ Squirrel Coaster

A creative wooden obstacle track for racing wooden balls down the hill. Spoiler: I was so focused on the race, I almost landed on my backside. Watch your step!

Squirrel Coaster: wooden ball run

🚙 Ranger Trail – Land Rover Ride

It is one of my kids absolute favourite. The range rovers are suitable from 3 – 14 year. Parents must accompany the riders with a remote that can switch off the jeep before something goes downhill.

💦 Paddling Pool

After and during all the excitement, the best way to reset and cool down is to visit the paddling pool. The pool is shallower on one side than the other, but still perfect for toddlers. The swirling stream by its side with its ankle height water is great for babies.

🚜 Build It – Digging station

Diggers turned out to be a great distraction to both young and younger members of our crew. The two stations offer different things to grab. One is for digging up dirt and pouring over from one side to another, while the other has a grabber for lifting up wooden logs. Both the digger and the jeeps work with the same tokens. Tokens can be pre purchased or bought at the training center.

Food & Relaxation: The Grotto

The on-site restaurant, Grotto, gets busy—especially on weekends. Be sure to book a table when you check in. If you’re just after a snack, the WunderBar next to the playground offers a good selection of drinks and treats.

Signpost

Why We Love Wonderwood

Wonderwood is exactly the kind of place we love discovering:

  • Family-friendly without being overwhelming
  • No queueing for climbing due to the buzzer system in place
  • No cash needed on site due to the park green card system – pay at the end on the way out
  • Outdoorsy but safe, the park is fully enclosed providing a secure ground to roam
  • Structured enough for parents to relax, but adventurous enough for kids to feel brave

It offered something for each member of our family—from the curious toddler to the adrenaline-loving big brother. The best part? We’re already planning to return next week.

Father’s Day at Monte Generoso, Ticino, Switzerland

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Cog train at Capolago

We set off to visit Monte Generoso in Ticino on Father’s Day. On this cold but sunny day, the sat nav guided us to the train station, where signposts helped us find the designated car park for the attraction.

Cog train at the Capolago train station.

An orange and blue cog train was ready at the Capolago train station. The very first train departed at 10:15 AM, carrying many hikers on board. A German lady sat next to me, fully equipped for an all-weather hike. Her backpack was packed with essentials, and she had foldable walking sticks attached to its side. She explained that she planned to take the train to Bellavista, from where she would hike up to the summit. Bellavista is the station just before the last one, situated at 1,223 meters. From there, it’s almost a 500-meter elevation gain on a snowy path to Fiore Di Pietra, which stands at 1,704 meters.

Ascent

The train carried a large open container in front of the wagon. Passengers could place their tools, backpacks, or strollers and trailers there. By leaving bulky items outside in this container, boarding was much easier.

The wagon had two row seats facing each other, which is perfect for a group of four. Our train was almost full, but eventually we settled down. The train set off on time and departed on its 9 km journey on the steep slopes slowly climbing up and up. There were 3 stops along the 40 minutes ride.

The departure felt like the takeoff of a plane. The train slowly ascended the hill, crossing several roads along the way. Looking out the window on one side, the mountain was almost within arm’s reach, whereas the valley we had left behind was visible only if we stood up from our seats. As the train continued through the forest, it passed through many tunnels. The horn sounded before each entrance, alerting passengers to the darkness ahead.

Arriving to the top through the clouds with the cog train.

After passing through the bare forest, we finally reached the snow level and slowly everything around us turned white. The trails were well signed for hikers, but mostly covered with snow. By the time we pulled into the final station, the snow was thick and strong on the ground.

Fiore di Pietra

The cog train stops right in front of the ‘stone flower’ building. Although, I can see the concept of the flower bulb when looking at the building, but to me, it looked like a rocket station. Standing out tall from the bare snowy mountain top. Surrounded by the blue sky and some white clouds. The antennas of the weather station in the area were just adding more to this futuristic picture.

The ground was covered in snow, piled as high as the benches, which made our stroll a bit challenging. After a quick round on the cloud swing, we decided to head in the opposite direction. We took the elevator with the buggy to the terrace of the Fiore di Pietra building. From the terrace, we navigated around the playground and found the path leading up to the “Grand Tour” sign.

Grand Tour

Grand Tour sign on Monte Generoso

The snowy, steep path had a rope handrail on the left, and at the edge was an opening to the valley, which felt both exciting and dangerous. Obsessed with taking photos at the Grand Tour sign, we took our time as we gradually ascended. To our right, the peak was covered in long grass beneath a blanket of snow. Our eldest found some huge icicles where the grass hung off the stones. With the sun at its highest, we could hear the water dripping from the melting icicles. The atmosphere was quiet, with our heavy breaths mingling with the sound of dripping water and occasional giggles whenever we slipped on the melting snow. Reaching the sign was a challenge with a baby strapped to my front, but we managed to get there.

There was no way to push the buggy up to the viewing point, it was a walk and carry path for those with little kids in the crew.

Bellavista

On the way down we had brunch at the Bellavista Buffet restaurant. With the train stopping right at the entrance of the restaurant, we created a bit of a traffic jam. With the warmest welcome from the waitresses, we were seated at our table. The place and the set up reminded me to the English pubs. Bare tables with a quirky table numbers made out of the cog of the train track. Buffet style set up with help yourself stations, just like a good old Sunday roast in England.

Across from the restaurant, there is a lovely lookout terrace with benches to relax while enjoying the magnificent view. We took the next train down as the kids started to get overtired.

Descent

The journey from Bellavista to Capolago took only 25 minutes. The leaves on the ground glowed golden in the sunlight, making the forest look stunning. After passing through tunnel after tunnel, we finally returned to the village. Following two more road crossings, the train came to a complete stop. Just like on an aerplane, passengers were eager to disembark as soon as possible.

We haven’t left the village yet, when both little ones were snoozing loudly in the car. Mission accomplished – I thought. I know they won’t remember. But they can listen to the stories of our mini adventures and look at the photos and videos we are making.

Why We Love Monte Generoso

Playing in the snow is number one on our eldest’s list. He told me we must return in the summer, so he can try the playground on the top of the mountain, and go all the way up to the very top look out, which was not possible due to the snowy circumstances. So be aware a summer version of this trip will come to your way sooner or later.

Our daughter would definitely include swinging in the clouds on her list. She really enjoyed going back and forth on the long swing at the top of the mountain.

The train ride felt like an attraction in itself, reminiscent of a miniature train at a funfair with kids. We passed through numerous small tunnels, holding our breath at the sound of the horn until we emerged into the light on the other side.

Winter Sunbathing: Exploring Brissago and other family low/highlights

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Swimming Lessons, Back to Work, Winter Flu, Exploring Brissago, Family Pool Fun

Brissago

Driving straight into the winter sun, which is sitting low on the horizon. Lake on the left and mountain on the right. The road hosts two way traffic but with the width of two old minis, very narrow. It is full of twists and turns. Just around one corner a garage door amongst the rocks of the mountain. Park the car and take the lift to get to your residence.

There are many such garage doors along the road south from Ascona just like that. Each one has a concrete lift shaft above. I can only imagine how people live / commute from places like this. I wonder what happens when the lift breaks down.

We kicked off the trip at the southern part of the town. Parking near the lido of Brissago, we planned to check out the slide leading to Lake Maggiore. However it is closed in the winter and it is not accessible with a buggy / trailer due to the stairs.

Chiesa di S. Maria di Ponte

A few meters further to the south on foot, we found a church. Large wide stairs leading down to what it looks like to the lake. To the right the cemetery to the left the most well maintained church yard, I have ever seen. The church is open for visitors from April until November. However the surrounding garden is open all year around. The lawn is manicured with precision, the trees are pruned for the next season. It is a great spot to fill up on vitamin D on a nice sunny day.

Looking around we can see the nearby lido and long slide just behind the church. On the lake the island of Brissago is visible. It’s botanical garden offers a couple of hours excursion for the visitors. On the other side of the lake, the mountains go from green bottom to brown middle to white caps.

From here we carried on towards north of the town. Along the way, many of the Mediterranean features can be spotted. The houses have warm colours, the palm trees keep their unique shades all year around. Stone dominates many of the walls, bridges and due to the steep hill Brissago is built on, there are many not-so-hidden stairs along the town.

Lungolago of Brissago

Lungolago is filled with benches to rest on. Unique statues and fountains break up the path. Lemon and orange trees show off their fruit even this time of the year. The winter sun makes long shadows creating a dramatic effect on the photos we took along the journey.

Below the promenade the large stones form theater seats like structure. Great spot to admire the the ‘vista’ in front.

The houses are colourful with large balconies maximising on space to admire the view of the lake and mountains. Tranquility dominates the lake side in January. I imagine that it is the perfect calm before the high season storm begins.

However the winter sun has now disappeared behind the mountains. We pulled up the zips of our winter jackets, to keep the cold out and headed back towards the main road. Behind the fire station, a lively sport field breaks the serene site.

Along the main road, the town is busy with locals chatting in the bars, rushing from one place to another. Busy traffic rushing in front of the hill covered with terraced houses facing the lake.

It was our first time visiting Brissago, however, we would love to visit in the high season, to be able compare the atmosphere between the seasons.

Brissago in summary

It was a great 2-3 hours trip (including playground pit stop, which is unavoidable with little kids). The playground is secured with a fence and has a few different features. There are many parking spots available around the town with various facilities. The trip can be stretched out to a whole day experience by visiting the Botanical Garden on the island of Brissago.

Visiting with a buggy / trailer was easy. The only challenge was to drag the trailer back up the wide stairs from the church to the main road. The stairs are really small and deep, so the passengers did not complain.

Swimming lessons

While waiting for the lesson to kick off, M had a few rounds on the water slide. She is gaining confidence in the pool. During the lesson we walk in big circles with the little ones (1 & 2 year old) across the whole lane. Each round we do a different activity. This is the quietest time in the pool. I can hear the lifeguards’ chatter faintly while focusing on blowing bubbles underwater for M’s entertainment. She is mesmerised with all the toys and busy keeping them in her hands while being pulled around in the water.

I hope next week O can join as well. He is home with flu, he needs a rest.

Back To Work

Holidays are over and M is back to his work routine. It was so nice to be together for a couple of weeks. But as anything, this is now over, which means I need to get my sh!t together again.

Winter Flu

Baby is moaning, temperature soaring above 40 degrees Celsius. Last night I called the hospital for advice. I was reassured that I can safely increase the amount of meds given to keep the fever in check. Next day, we were due for O’s one-year-old routine check up. Our paediatrician prepared me to keep fighting the fever potentially for a whole week. ‘It is flu season!’ Important to keep up the dosage every 4 hours. However, during the night I let him sleep through one 4 hour window. At 3 am I woke up for an inconsolable crying for help. His temperature was nearing 41 degrees Celsius. From that point onward I skipped zero 4 hour windows. The following night was even worst and I had to give him another med, which is like a horse kick. It takes ages to make a difference, but once it works it lasts for 24 hours. Eventually we got out of this madness by the second part of the week.

Family Pool Fun

Sunday FunDay. The pool was the busiest yet plenty of space to splash about. Four grown ups for 3 kids is a great balance in a busy pool. Huge inflatable across two lanes keep the bigger kids busy and the parents anxious. Blue elephant slide keeps M focus sharp. She is growing into a little adrenaline monkey. Sliding down, immersing under water, climbing out of the pool and starting all over again for another twenty rounds. Before she disappears behind the stairs again, but instead of appearing on the top of the slide, she is off to the baby pool. Luckily Granmy with little O are already there splashing on the tiny water fountains.

Family Adventures: Snowy Roads and Swiss Waterfalls

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This week we set out to visit two beautiful waterfalls in Ticino. Do you think we made it? … Read on to find out.

Back to Ticino, and Back to Kindergarten, Catching up with Friends, Visiting Maggia, and Valle Verzasca, and a Birthday Celebration.

Back to Ticino

Week two of 2025 started off with a road trip back from Poland to Ticino. As we got to the Alps, we drove through the most beautiful snowfall. Crossing the border from Austria to Switzerland there was no sign of snow. We could see the mountains far away glowing with their white snowcaps. An hour later when we started the ascent to St Bernardino along the crooked road, the snow started to settle on the asphalt. Traffic was light so we had minimal distraction until we got to the other side of the tunnel.

On the southern side of the tunnel snow covered everything. At this point there was no snowplough in sight. Throughout the serpentine, the descent took a long time. Winter tyres did an excellent job for us. However a few cars in front of us an Italian car had to stop to wait for rescue services (summer tyres – I guess).

We don’t have too much experience driving in the snow, especially in the mountains. Luckily everyone was going sensibly throughout our journey. At home we were greeted with hot dinner made by my parents. Little treat to the soul, when you don’t have to think about feeding the fam after two long days of travelling.

The following days were filled with various tasks around the house to get it into shape before our friends arrived. I think one day I did six loads of laundry just to give you an idea of the mess we had post holiday.

Back to Kindergarten

Kindergarten started midweek with half a day session. Easing back into the classroom routine was smoother this time than after autumn break. B can communicate much better now in Italian thanks to the lessons and the friendships he made in the last four months. Our nervous boy turned into a confident cheeky italianish-speaking boy.

Birthday Celebration

O turned one this week. Celebration was planned for the weekend. However, winter flu caught up on our little boy by the end of the week. With a temperature over 40 degrees celsius, he wasn’t enjoying much of his first birthday celebration.

Catching up with Friends

Hosting has become the highlights of my year. Since I am a full time stay at home Mom, I appreciate all the connections I get even more than before. Days fly by so quick with three little ones in tow.

I love the anticipation (cleaning / tidying). I love the meal planning and preparation process. Choosing things to do and places to explore. While adjusting the rhythm to suit 4-6 grownups and 4 kids (1-2-3-6) and the coolest dog and cat. Life is never dull.

Maggia

This time we visited a little village of Maggia. With the goal to visit the Cascata del Salto first then to head down to the river for a stroll. Little we knew that the waterfall is not accessible with buggy. Indeed it is a hiking trail gem. With the help of the locals, our crew quickly changed direction and headed to the river, Maggia. Dads took the cars, and Moms took the kids and the dog. Down in the village behind Migros, the suspension bridge, called Pontine di Maggia, leads across the Maggia river. The shore on the other side is easily accessible even with tiny feet (not with buggy though).

Overall, Maggia is a small village with about 2.5 k residents. It seems to be a good base for the many trials. There are many parking spots, convenience stores and restaurants. Looking at the mountains from the car park, I could see some chapels and waterfalls that I would have loved to explore but they were not accessible with a buggy. I am sure we will be back though.

Our tiny humans, and the doggy had plenty of space to roam. Hence, on the way home, they have all fallen asleep in the car. It’s impossible to plan a second stop when your passengers are snoozing. We called it a day and headed home.

Valle Verzasca

Set off as early as possible to catch the couple of hours of sunshine that reaches Valle Verzasca in January. First stop was Sonogno. The village is at the northern part of the valley. Parking was free of charge this time around. Although, the reminders for paying for parking in the high season were displayed everywhere. There is an option to buy a whole day parking ticket that covers the whole valley.

We were not prepared for the snow but it was very welcomed. We are yet to learn to plan properly, considering the elevation level. There was a crisp line showing the start of the snow on the trees and rocks. The divide was visible from far away.

While walking around in Sonogno we met a local gentleman, who was ever so chatty and helpful. He told us that this time of the year we can grab something to eat by the sport center. We quizzed him a little about the surroundings. He told us that when he was little snow was covering the area for most of the winter, however in the recent decade snow is less and less. We set out to look at the Cascata La Froda, however he told us that it is unlikely that we find any water running, but may be some ice. He also pointed out that the path is free from services during the winter but encouraged to see it for ourselves. So we did.

Turning right at the sport center, the road was clear until the next turn. Then it was clearly marked that no winter clearing services are in operation. First we tried to pull the buggy / trailer through the snow. Then we decided to ditch it and carry the kiddies. Following the map we got to the point where we should have crossed the river. However, there was no clear access to the other side. We decided to return to the car park, feed the empty bellies, and move onto the destination.

Verzasca Dam

Ever so famous dam appeared in the opening part of the James Bond movie ‘GoldenEye’. Mostly known as Verzasca dam is called Contra Dam or Locarno Dam. It is a popular spot amongst the adrenaline seekers. The dam is 220 m tall and has a well-known bungee jumping station. This year the dam has hosted the Red Bull dual ascent climbing event. Where ten teams of twenty climbers tackled 180 m route.

It is really hard to put into words how small one can feel standing on the dam, with huge opening in front of him / her when looking out to the Lake Maggiore. On the other side, Lake Vogolno holds a terrifying power of distraction should the anything happen to the structure of the surroundings. Running out of daylight, we have returned to home and warmed up with some homemade soup.

There are many places we wished we could further explore. However, due to our young crew, we need to limit our stops to two, maximum three. We aim to extend the time spent outdoors and the number places visited as the kids grow.

Two more family friends are visiting in the next few weeks. I am very much looking forward to these. Look out for more updates on our adventures with our tiny humans.