Gordemo chestnut festival: from Monti Metri to the village square above Lake Maggiore
Gordemo: chestnuts by the lake
Stone hamlets overlooking Lake Maggiore, terraced chestnut groves and a village square that smells of chestnuts over the fire in mid-October: the Gordemo chestnut festival ends the day in the sweetest way.
The experience
We set off with the Guidders from Gordola and climb through the woods via Sassalto and Bazzadee to the Monti Metri, the old pastures where the lake looks like a map. We have lunch up there, then descend via A Vèrtum to Gordemo, where at two o'clock the festival starts in the square, with music and roasted chestnuts. We walk back to Gordola among vineyards and chestnut trees.
The hamlets above Gordola were the mid-season pastures: families climbed up with their animals in spring and autumn, and chestnuts were the most important harvest.
Anyone with a good pace: the climb is steep in places, but always on a path.
Come to the chestnut festival with the Guidders: the lake, the woods and a village party.
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.
Gordola is about an hour and a half from Milan: A9 and A2 motorways to Bellinzona, then the road to Locarno (vignette needed); without Swiss motorways go via Verbania, Cannobio and Locarno. 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 Gordola? 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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