Discovering Lago di Naret

The departure of this Tour is in Bignasco, a small town in the canton of Ticino. You can reach this municipality from Locarno thanks to a bus, which allows you to bring your bike on board, unless it is too crowded. Locarno can be reached by train directly from Milan.

Compared to other Tours, this is not a circular route. The outward journey is, in fact, the same as the return one. The objective of the day is to admire Lake Naret. This artificial lake is located at 2,300 meters and reaching it is quite an undertaking. From Bignasco to Lake Naret there are 32 kilometers and a positive difference in altitude of 2,000 metres. The average gradient of the last nine kilometers is 10%.
Initially from Bignasco you go up following the Maggia river valley. You pass some small characteristic towns, such as those of Broglio, Lavizzara and Fusio. Precisely from this hamlet begins a very steep stretch that leads to the Sambuco artificial lake.

Three flat kilometers along the lakeside take you to the hardest sections of the climb. The road becomes very narrow and very steep, with points reaching 15%. You pass through green Swiss valleys, which give way to an increasingly alpine environment. Before Lake Naret you have the opportunity to admire three majestic mountain lakes that reward you for all the effort you have made. Once you reach the Naret lake dam you can appreciate the view of this beautiful artificial lake.

When going downhill, pay attention to the narrow and steep road but, at the same time, admire the splendid view of Lake Sambuco and the valley. Return to Bignasco following the same route as the outward journey. Along the route you will find some bars up to Lake Sambuco. In the last twelve kilometers leading to Lake Naret, however, you no longer find anything.

The road leading to Lake Naret is generally open from mid-June to mid-September.