Hiking
Osco
Faido
Osco
The small village of Osco nestles at 1157m altitude on a sunny terrace on the eastern flank of the Valle Leventina. The pretty terraced settlement is a popular stage on the Strada Alta, the magnificent panorama hiking trail high over the valley.
Osco can be reached from Faido (approx. 6km) or by a narrow road that forks beneath the Piottino Schlucht (gorge). There is a regular postbus service from Faido station, which makes Osco an ideal place to start or finish a hike along the Strada Alta.
The Strada Alta runs along the eastern flank of the Valle Leventina from Airolo on the Gotthardpass to Biasca. This popular around 45km long panorama route connects the mountainous regions with the southern climes of Canton Ticino.
In medieval times, Osco was an important centre for the transport of goods by pack animals. The Alpine character of the village is emphasised by the preserved old wooden houses nestling amongst the many new builds. In neighbouring Freggio, Iron Age tombs containing sophisticated artefacts and tools were discovered in 1884. Part of the collection is exhibited at the Montebello Castle Museum in Bellinzona.
The parish church of San Maurizio is situated at the southern edge of Osco and dates back to 1171. Of the original Romanesque structure only the lower section of the tower remains. Churches also worth a visit in other parts of the municipality are the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena in Vigera and the Chiesa di San Bernado in Freggio.
At Freggio a fascinating vista of the valley opens with the winding tracks of the SBB Gotthard Railway with its loop tunnels and the motorway that emerges for a short distance between two tunnels. Freggio’s small neighbouring village of Osco, Carì has a tiny ski resort with two chairlifts.
The Strada Alta runs along the eastern flank of the Valle Leventina from Airolo on the Gotthardpass to Biasca. This popular around 45km long panorama route connects the mountainous regions with the southern climes of Canton Ticino.
In medieval times, Osco was an important centre for the transport of goods by pack animals. The Alpine character of the village is emphasised by the preserved old wooden houses nestling amongst the many new builds. In neighbouring Freggio, Iron Age tombs containing sophisticated artefacts and tools were discovered in 1884. Part of the collection is exhibited at the Montebello Castle Museum in Bellinzona.
The parish church of San Maurizio is situated at the southern edge of Osco and dates back to 1171. Of the original Romanesque structure only the lower section of the tower remains. Churches also worth a visit in other parts of the municipality are the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena in Vigera and the Chiesa di San Bernado in Freggio.
At Freggio a fascinating vista of the valley opens with the winding tracks of the SBB Gotthard Railway with its loop tunnels and the motorway that emerges for a short distance between two tunnels. Freggio’s small neighbouring village of Osco, Carì has a tiny ski resort with two chairlifts.
Highlights
- Strada Alta – the popular high hiking route from Airolo to Bodio Biasca, leads at an altitude of around 1000m past some of the prettiest mountain villages in the valley and can be hiked in two or three days and stages.
- Piottino-Schlucht – between Faido and Rodi-Fiesso, with 100m high rock faces divides the upper and middle Leventina. The earlier pack animal trail through the gorge is now a hiking trail, the old customs post «Dazio grande» a museum with restaurant.
The small village of Osco nestles at 1157m altitude on a sunny terrace on the eastern flank of the Valle Leventina. The pretty terraced settlement is a popular stage on the Strada Alta, the magnificent panorama hiking trail high over the valley.
Osco can be reached from Faido (approx. 6km) or by a narrow road that forks beneath the Piottino Schlucht (gorge). There is a regular postbus service from Faido station, which makes Osco an ideal place to start or finish a hike along the Strada Alta.
The Strada Alta runs along the eastern flank of the Valle Leventina from Airolo on the Gotthardpass to Biasca. This popular around 45km long panorama route connects the mountainous regions with the southern climes of Canton Ticino.
In medieval times, Osco was an important centre for the transport of goods by pack animals. The Alpine character of the village is emphasised by the preserved old wooden houses nestling amongst the many new builds. In neighbouring Freggio, Iron Age tombs containing sophisticated artefacts and tools were discovered in 1884. Part of the collection is exhibited at the Montebello Castle Museum in Bellinzona.
The parish church of San Maurizio is situated at the southern edge of Osco and dates back to 1171. Of the original Romanesque structure only the lower section of the tower remains. Churches also worth a visit in other parts of the municipality are the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena in Vigera and the Chiesa di San Bernado in Freggio.
At Freggio a fascinating vista of the valley opens with the winding tracks of the SBB Gotthard Railway with its loop tunnels and the motorway that emerges for a short distance between two tunnels. Freggio’s small neighbouring village of Osco, Carì has a tiny ski resort with two chairlifts.
The Strada Alta runs along the eastern flank of the Valle Leventina from Airolo on the Gotthardpass to Biasca. This popular around 45km long panorama route connects the mountainous regions with the southern climes of Canton Ticino.
In medieval times, Osco was an important centre for the transport of goods by pack animals. The Alpine character of the village is emphasised by the preserved old wooden houses nestling amongst the many new builds. In neighbouring Freggio, Iron Age tombs containing sophisticated artefacts and tools were discovered in 1884. Part of the collection is exhibited at the Montebello Castle Museum in Bellinzona.
The parish church of San Maurizio is situated at the southern edge of Osco and dates back to 1171. Of the original Romanesque structure only the lower section of the tower remains. Churches also worth a visit in other parts of the municipality are the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena in Vigera and the Chiesa di San Bernado in Freggio.
At Freggio a fascinating vista of the valley opens with the winding tracks of the SBB Gotthard Railway with its loop tunnels and the motorway that emerges for a short distance between two tunnels. Freggio’s small neighbouring village of Osco, Carì has a tiny ski resort with two chairlifts.
Highlights
- Strada Alta – the popular high hiking route from Airolo to Bodio Biasca, leads at an altitude of around 1000m past some of the prettiest mountain villages in the valley and can be hiked in two or three days and stages.
- Piottino-Schlucht – between Faido and Rodi-Fiesso, with 100m high rock faces divides the upper and middle Leventina. The earlier pack animal trail through the gorge is now a hiking trail, the old customs post «Dazio grande» a museum with restaurant.
Arrival and return Osco
Adresse
Bellinzonese e Alto Ticino Turismo
Via della Stazione 22
6780 Airolo
Tel. +41 (0)91 869 15 33
leventina@bellinzonese-altoticino.ch
www.bellinzonese-altoticino.ch
Via della Stazione 22
6780 Airolo
Tel. +41 (0)91 869 15 33
leventina@bellinzonese-altoticino.ch
www.bellinzonese-altoticino.ch
