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Lake Maggiore: Smuggler's Trekking across the border
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Lake Maggiore: Smuggler's Trekking across the border

By Insubrica Historica
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$99 per adult
See tickets
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 4h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup
  • Multiple languages
Overview
  • Embark on an adventurous journey through Lake Maggiore fascinating border region
  • Retrace the footsteps of daring smugglers who once navigated this terrain
  • Immerse yourself in captivating tales of intrigue and adventure
  • Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the picturesque Lago Maggiore
  • Experience the unspoiled beauty of the Lake Maggiore border countryside

Activity location

    • Lake Maggiore
    • Castelveccana, Lombardy, Italy

Meeting/Redemption Point

    • Lake Maggiore
    • Castelveccana, Lombardy, Italy

Check availability

Lake Maggiore: Smuggler's Trekking across the border
  • Activity duration is 4 hours4h4h
  • English
Starting time: 7:00 am
Price details
NZ$99.05 x 1 AdultNZ$99.05
Total
Price is NZ$99.05
Until Fri, 27 Dec

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedHotel pickup in the region Locarno-Ascona-Brissago
  • What's includedWhat's included Historical background documentation

Know before you book

  • Not suitable for: Children under 12 years, People over 80 years, People with low level of fitness, People with motion sickness

What you can expect

The Smuggler’s Trekking is trail in the Lake Maggiore region near the Locarno (Brissago-Cannobio) border. The trekking path was used during 1940-1950 for smuggling goods, but also by partisans and civilian and Jewish refugees fleeing to Switzerland.

The route was designed to allow people to experience first-hand how challenging and difficult the border crossing was. Partisans who were chased by the Nazi-Fascists and smugglers who, at night, almost without any lighting, walked along the winding path, each carrying a bricolla – the typical smuggling sack – weighing around 30-40 kg. Or the many refugees, mainly Jews, who crossed this side of the lake to escape Nazi-Fascist oppression.

Details of the hike: The start is set for 6:45 a.m. from the municipal car park (autosilo comunale) in Ascona, in the direction of Brissago, in the hamlet of Cortaccio (1000 m above sea level). After about 30 minutes you leave the car and start the walk. We ascend the path in the direction of Ghiridone, in the hamlet of Rescerasca (1200 m above sea level). After a short stop, continue directly towards the border. You walk along a little-used path, which is difficult for a short stretch, crossing the border at an altitude of 1100 m above sea level. After about 30 minutes, you reach Alpe Frignago and stop at the Italian border guard barracks. Afterwards, we return towards Switzerland. The return to the Ascona car park is scheduled for approx. 11:45 a.m.

Duration and trekking length: The Smuggler's Trekking lasts about 4 hours (including breaks for explanations and historical-geographical contextualisation). It runs along a 5-km route, which is quite challenging only on a short 100-metre stretch. To participate, it is necessary to have trekking shoes and clothing and equipment suitable for a T2/T3 (Switzerland) or EE (Italy) class route. Each participant must also carry a valid identity document and is responsible for his or her own insurance coverage.

Cost: You can register online on the website of Insubrica Historica (www.insubricahistorica.ch). The participation fee is CHF 50 / EUR 50.

Participants: The trekking starts with a minimum of 4 registrations and is limited to a maximum of 7 participants.

Next trekking’s:
Saturday 10.2.2024 08h00-12h00
Saturday 23.3.2024 08h00-12h00
Saturday 21.4.2024 08h00-12h00
Saturday 18.5.2024 08h00-12h00
Saturday 22.6.2024 08h00-12h00
Saturday 27.7.2024 08h00-12h00
Saturday 31.8.2024 08h00-12h00
Saturday 28.9.2024 08h00-12h00
Saturday 26.10.2024 08h00-12h00
Saturday 30.11.2024 08h00-12h00
Saturday 28.12.2024 08h00-12h00
Contact for further information:
info@insubricahistorica.ch
Raphael Tel. Mobile/WhatsApp 0041 79 292 69 03.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Lake Maggiore
    • Castelveccana, Lombardy, Italy

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Lake Maggiore
    • Castelveccana, Lombardy, Italy