May 9, 2017 Trip to Sonogno in Valle Verzasca

I had heard that a new museum had recently opened in the town of Sonogno - the last town in the Valle Verzasca north of Locarno. It was a beautiful, clear day and we decided to just relax on public transportation through the valley. This required taking a bus, a train, another train, and a bus. 2 1/2 hours total time!

View from the postal bus going through Valle Verzasca - approaching the town of Lavertezzo and the famous Roman bridge. 

We actually get off at the town before Sonogno, which is Frasco. Here, a beautiful waterfall right along the road. From Frasco we take the path along the river to Sonogno, about a 1 hour hike.  

View along our walk between Frasco and Sonogno. 

The bridge to reach the house behind me. 

We are arriving in Sonogno and see that they have a beautiful, new hockey rink. Quite impressive for a small town so far into the valley.  

Saw these cowboy boots carved from wood! Also, on the right is a fix-it station for bikes. This valley is a popular place to bike from end to end. Here one can find an assortment of tools if needed for their bike. 

We've been to Sonogno several times before, and we know there is a huge waterfall. We are going to take a hike to the falls. Along the way to where the trail begins, we see this interesting view of natual Switzerland! (you may need to look closely). 

Our hike to the fall begins with this road. 

This is such a typical view in the Italian part of Switzerland. Heavenly!  

We had to cross a bridge, where there was a gate to keep the goats from crossing. Often in Switzerland, hiking paths go right through fields of grazing animals. We close the gate behind us, but I can't help but think this scene is from "3 Billy Goats Gruff". Do you remember that story from childhood? The orange sign is a hiking sign. 

The goats don't bother us, but I always feel my hiking poles may come in handy, just in case! 

We sit down on the rocks by the river and enjoy our picnic lunch - with goats looking enviously at us. 

Rick enjoying his lunch with a goat behind him. 

Well, Rick missed me in this shot, but got the goats! 

We begin our hike to the falls. 

The falls! 

After the falls, we begin our hike along the side of the mountain, back to Sonogno. The path is on the right.

Another little bridge over a stream, with a red and white hiking path symbol painted on the rock on the right. 

We stop for a moment, finding a nice rock. Rick falls asleep immediately! He's definitely a better sleeper than I am - he can fall asleep on a rock! 

Coming into the town of Sonogno, with the typical stone houses called "Rusticos". 

While visiting the museum of Valle Verzasca, I enjoy the view out one of the windows. 

They have a hands on display to show what is must have been like to cut grass that grows between pieces of rock high in the Alps. To survive, the people needed every bit of grass for the animals and climbed to over 6500 feet with bare feet to cling to the rock faces to cut grass. Even small children came along to help (thus the high mortality rate!)

One of the museum photos showing a woman cutting the grass. These areas were called "Medée". 

The bedroom of times past in Sonogno. Years ago there was no glass on the windows. Cold! 

The kitchen, and only room which was heated by the fireplace. Notice there is no chimney. Smoke often filled the house. Also, there are no tables and chairs, as they were a nomadic people, called "transhumance" where they moved to and from the valley and the upper pastures depending on the season. They would have to pack up their things, and there was no room for a table and chairs. 

We say goodbye to Sonogno - until next time!