Chestnut festival at Monti di Cortoi: the chestnut grove above the Verzasca and the Mergoscia festival
Mergoscia: chestnuts at Cortoi
A grove of ancient chestnuts above Lake Vogorno, a stone drying hut and a festival with chestnuts and music on an alp you can only reach on foot: welcome to the Monti di Cortoi chestnut festival.
The experience
We set off with the Guidders from Contra, above the Verzasca dam, and climb through the woods via A Trovro and Fossèi to the Monti di Cortoi. Here we have lunch and walk around the chestnut grove, with the grà where chestnuts are smoke-dried, then at three in the afternoon we enjoy the festival: chestnuts, a bar and music. We walk down via Lissoi and Mergoscia to the dam and Contra.
The grà is the old drying hut of the Ticino valleys: chestnuts stayed for weeks over a slow fire, and were the food reserve for the whole winter.
Anyone who walks regularly: the climb is steady on a mountain path, but with no difficult passages.
Come to the chestnut festival with the Guidders: a valley celebration like in the old days.
A valid ID in your pocket, not in your rucksack: Switzerland is not in the European Union and border checks do happen.
Mountain rescue is charged for: in Switzerland the helicopter is billed to the person who calls it. Guiddy accident insurance is included, but a Rega card (about €40 a year) or a policy covering rescue costs in Switzerland is what we suggest to everyone.
Swiss francs: huts and cable cars almost always take cards, but a few valley huts are still cash only. The European health card is valid in Switzerland for emergency care.
Contra, above Tenero, is about an hour and forty from Milan: A9 and A2 motorways to Bellinzona, then Locarno-Tenero and the Verzasca road (vignette needed); without Swiss motorways go via Verbania, Cannobio and Brissago. Car pooling in the outing's Telegram group.
By car you need the Swiss motorway vignette (CHF 40, valid for the calendar year) if you use the motorway: you buy it at the border, at petrol stations near the crossing, or online.
How hard is it, really
What's included in the price
Itinerary
One day, approximate times. The final details come in the group chat.
Apple MapsHow do you get to Contra? By carpooling.
You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group. Contacts and costs are agreed between you: a seat isn't guaranteed.
What to bring
A list made for this hike. No technical gear: just good shoes and a well-packed backpack.
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