English
Valle di Muggio
Discover the valley
La Valle di Muggio is the southernmost tip in Switzerland and surrounded by nine villages on both sides. In 2014, it was awarded the title of ‘Swiss Landscape of the year’ by the ‘Swiss Foundation for Landscape Protection.’
The Valle di Muggio is considered one of the most authentic and traditional places on the Ticino tourist scene. Its territory stretches between the slopes of Monte Generoso and Monte Bisbino, in the Mendrisiotto and Basso Ceresio region, and is easily reached by postbus from the Mendrisio and Chiasso stations. Hikers can also choose to reach it on foot starting from the summit of Monte Generoso or by following one of the many paths in the Monte Generoso and Bisbino area. Particularly impressive is the path that leads from the Bellavista area (on Monte Generoso) to the upper Valle di Muggio, arriving at Roncapiano, from where one can enjoy the landscape of the entire valley.
The Valle di Muggio was defined as “one of the most beautiful Alpine valleys in Switzerland”. Until a few decades ago, agricultural land. use here, as in much of Canton Ticino, pursued self-sustenance in the presence of scarce resources; for example, rainwater was stored in cisterns, or the scarcity of land suitable for arable farming led to the terracing of slopes near the villages. These traces of lived sustainability are still partly visible today and, thanks to the efforts of the Muggio Valley Ethnographic Museum. Over the years, several buildings of historical character have also been restored in the valley (the Bruzella mill, the Scudellate rock shelter, the Nevere, the Graa ...), which today attract the curiosity of many visitors. The activities that are still carried out today are mainly linked to agriculture and the production of local specialities: in the Bruzella mill, chestnut and maize flour for polenta is produced, while butter, cheese and cream are made from the local dairy production.
The main characteristics of the Valle di Muggio are tranquillity, the beauty of the landscape and easy contact with nature, as pastures, woods and even forests can be found everywhere, at an altitude of between 300 and 1700 metres. The hiking trails make it possible to walk comfortably along the entire valley from Roncapiano to the bottom, in the Breggia Gorge Park and to reach the peaks of the neighbouring mountains. The villages have very charming little cores and can become places of interesting exchange with the local population, as well as presenting historical buildings that tell the history of this area.
The flora and fauna in the valley are also particularly intriguing, thanks to the presence of lush and very unusual vegetation, as well as numerous species of birds, such as nuthatches, wrynecks, magpies, and tits. In the valley, as on the slopes of Monte Generoso, one can also observe large mammals such as chamois, often in small herds of three to four, as well as wild boar, deer, and roe deer.
