The Onsernone Forest Reserve lies on the north-facing right orographic slope of the upper Onsernone Valley (Canton Ticino), opposite the villages of Crana, Comologno and Spruga, which are part of the Municipality of Onsernone. It covers 789 hectares, between 640 and 1760 m above sea level, and is bounded by the state border between Switzerland and Italy. The landscape is grandiose, the morphology complex, the slopes generally steep. At the higher elevations the landscape opens into the vast basin of Pizzo Ruscada, in the lower part it closes in the vertical gorges of the Isorno.

Responsible for the reserve is the municipality of Onsernone. Land owners are, alongside the municipality itself, the Patriziato Generale d’Onsernone and several private individuals. It was established in 2002, based on a 50-year agreement with Canton Ticino, to be renewed upon expiration. It is recognized by the Swiss Confederation.

Onsernone’s is an integral type of reserve. The forest evolves there spontaneously. Logging and timber harvesting is excluded, as is any other intervention that alters its natural evolution. Priority is given to nature and its dynamics. Due to the absence of cutting in the past decades, the forest denotes a high degree of naturalness. Freed from cutting, it is self-balancing and evolves spontaneously toward a natural state. In areas, the deadwood component is conspicuous. It shows images that hint at the strength, autonomy and beauty of the truly natural forest. An interweaving of trees of different ages and sizes, here and there broken or collapsed trees giving way to younger subjects, a sign of the forest’s ability to regenerate itself. Old trees of great size are admired. By extent, the main formations are fir and beech forest, followed by larch and mixed deciduous forest. Lesser is the presence of spruce. Nucleus of the Reserve is the silver fir forest, which is estimated to have been present for 8,000 years; the return after the last glaciation has not been altered by human intervention, which is why the genetic makeup is estimated to be entirely original. The Onsernone Reserve is also a genetic reserve.

How to visit it

The Onsernone Forest Reserve is open to the public. It is equipped with a network of nearly 10 km of trails with varying degrees of difficulty. Two circular trails are provided, which can be walked in just over 3 hours the first, 6 hours the second. It is strongly recommended not to go off the marked trails. In heavy rain, access is not recommended. In the winter period it should not be attended at all. It is asked to keep dogs on a leash, do not disturb animals, respect flowers and mushrooms, absolutely do not light fires, in short, respect the peace and integrity of nature. It is helpful to have the guidebook The Trails of the Onsernone Forest Reserve, which can be obtained from the Onsernone Municipality (email: comune@onsernone.swiss).

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