Crana, Comologno and Spruga, preferred starting points for visiting the reserve, can be reached by postbus from Locarno (bus to the Onsernone Valley). Those who opt for a more strenuous walk can cross the reserve starting from the Comino Mountains in the Centovalli (connected by trolleybus to the Locarno-Domodossola railway line, Verdasio station) to reach Comologno / Spruga or vice versa.

The best time for visits is from May to October. In the winter months the visit is not recommended because it is dangerous (snow and impassable valley). It is recommended to avoid foggy days (difficult orientation).

A summary of information about the reserve and a description of the main route are summarized in a pdf document.

Trail map

A beautiful network of trails with a total length of almost ten kilometers is accessible within the reserve. They are marked in red in the interactive map below and in the downloadable map (pdf 1.9 MB, printed in A4 the scale is 1: 22’500, in A3 of 1:15’000).

How to get information: the Comologno Info Point.

The Welcome Center is located in the Municipal House on the square in Comologno. It houses a small exhibit set up with Pro Natura Ticino; it offers a wide range of information, with text, pictures and audio on birdsong. The Center is freely accessible year-round during daylight hours. The main contents and publications related to the Reserve are available on this portal.

Points of interest

The villages of the Valley, especially Comologno, with its palaces, linked to past emigration, are worth a visit. We must especially mention the Palazzo la Barca, which housed many literary figures during World War II, including Ignazio Silone (interior not open to visitors). The historic Palazzo Gamboni hotel stands out in Comologno. Just a few kilometers from Spruga are the Bagni di Craveggia, near the state border, where mineral-rich water gushes from the mountain at about 29°C, collected in a large stone pool open to the public.

Excursion proposal

In collaboration with Pro Natura Ticino, we have prepared a fact sheet that presents a hike of about 3 hours in the reserve. You can download it below.

Guided tours

Guided tours are organized upon request. You can use the online request form or inquire with the municipality in writing (Onsernone Municipality, Headquarters, 6662 Russo) or by phone on Tuesdays or Thursdays (Tel. 091 797 13 15).

Guides and documentation

More information and pdfs to download on the documentation pages.