Hi everyone! 🍂 Late October to mid November is the best time to see Ticino's autumn colours, so I'd like to collect our best tips in one place. Here's a starter list. Please add your own! When to go • Colours usually peak from late October into early November. • Higher valleys turn earlier and the lake areas turn later, so a trip in the first half of November can still be good. • Weekdays are much quieter at popular spots like Lavertezzo. Where to go 1. Verzasca Valley (Lavertezzo): the famous double-arch stone bridge, clear turquoise pools and a lovely riverside path. Corippo, one of Switzerland's smallest villages, is also in this valley. 2. Val Bavona (Foroglio): a tall waterfall behind a granite hamlet, with easy walks along the valley floor. 3. Bellinzona: three castles, all UNESCO World Heritage, with wide views over the valley. 4. Lugano and the lake: easy lakeside walks, plus the funiculars up Monte Brè or Monte San Salvatore for views over the whole lake. Getting there without a car • Zurich to Lugano takes about 2 hours by direct train through the Gotthard Base Tunnel. • Postbus services reach the Verzasca and Bavona valleys from Locarno and Bellinzona. Timetables are thinner in autumn, so check on sbb.ch before you go. • If you stay overnight in Ticino, ask your hotel or hostel about the Ticino Ticket, which usually includes free regional public transport. Practical tips • Bring layers. Valley mornings can be cold even when the afternoon is sunny. • Wear proper shoes on the riverside rocks, which can be slippery. • Swimming in the Verzasca is for summer only. In autumn the water is very cold, so stay out. • Try the seasonal food: chestnuts, polenta, and a glass of Merlot del Ticino. Your turn: • What's your favourite autumn spot in Ticino? • Any quiet alternatives to the busy places? • Best hikes or village stops you'd recommend? • Has anyone tried it as a day trip from Zurich or Basel? Photos and tips welcome! 📸
