There are many waterfalls in the Ticino canton of Switzerland, with Ponte Brolla being one of them. Easily reachable from Locarno or Ascona, this stunning location is perfect for a swim. It’s the perfect location for those with all ages and swimming levels, as there are shallow and deep areas. Curious about the location for visiting yourself? Read on!
Where is Ponte Brolla?
Ponte Brolla is located on the edge of the village Tegna. It’s easily reachable with the local 315 bus from Locarno. The bus takes around 13 minutes, else a car journey from Locarno takes only 10mins. Alternatively you can also cycle to Tegna through the valley. For those with a whole day, you can also walk from Locarno, which takes around 2 hours 15 minutes.
Tegna is a beautiful village in the Ticino canton. It is home for only around 800 inhabitants at the elevation of 255m. Tegna is known for the sandy beach area by the river, with prehistoric objects throughout the village as well as Roman era buildings as part of the Swiss heritage site of national significance.
Once you reach Ponte Brolla, its a short walk through the village to the sandy beach area called Pozzo di Tegna. The easiest and safest route to walk to it is across the bridge from the Ponte Brolla bus/train stop and along the pathway towards Tegna. There is another route down from Ponte Brolla but its not so suitable as its more of an offroad type pathway down to the stones instead.
Swimming At The Ponte Brolla Waterfall
This gorgeous spot is great for swimming at. From the Pozzo di Tegna sandy beach area, its shallow and perfect for those with children. From here, you can swim deeper towards the waterfall, where it is very deep. If you are a decent swimmer, you can swim all the way behind the waterfall where there is a ledge to relax on.
For those who are decent at swimming, you can also swim up the river exploring the rock formations along the way. Many also stop on a random rock for some relaxation in the sunshine.
If you want to visit another waterfall location in the valley, check the Cascata del Salto waterfall instead further up at the village of Maggia. Alternatively you can visit the stunning Lavertezzo Verzasca Valley too!
Keep in mind the water is rather cold, but in the full sunshine of the Summer period it’s actually perfect. But just make sure to prepare for this and bring something to dry yourself off afterwards, else to make sure to sit in the sun for a bit before leaving.
Summary
The Ponte Brolla waterfall and swimming location is perfect for those of all ages and swimming levels, with shallow and deep areas alike. The beach is a highlight, with actual sand and less stones like in other swimming areas in Ticino.
It’s a great location also to swim up the river and to explore the rocks. On our visit we also saw someone on a paddle board and others with snorkelling gear. This is a great way to see the fish, which we could see on the surface!
Tips:
- Always great to have a snack and a drink with you
- Wear suncream and suitable clothing if visiting on a hot Summer day
- Be respectful to all others and take your trash with you
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