| Cascata La Froda |  |
| At over 70 m high, this waterfall is one of the most beautiful in Ticino, especially during springtime. Our panoramas were shot in August, so its flow was minimal. It is about a thirty minute walk from the village. |
| Chiesa di Santa Maria Lauretana | |
| Beautifully integrated into the heart of the village, the church of Sonogno was built on the site of an old 16th century church. It retained its 1782 bell tower when it was rebuilt in 1854. |
| Er Piazza | |
| We are here on the village square of Sonogno (alt. 919m), a little over 30km from Locarno (alt. 200m). It is the last village in the Verzasca Valley that can be reached by car and it takes almost an hour to drive there. |
| Footbridge over Redòrta | |
| In summer, you can cross the riverbed by jumping from rock to rock, but in spring or after heavy rains, this footbridge is the only way to cross to the other side of the Redòrta river. After the footbridge, take the path on the left. |
| Grotto Efra | |
| This extraordinary grotto categorically refuses to sell Nestlé products, Coca Cola, pizzas and pastas. Instead, you'll eat the best risotto of your life while enjoying a simply divine merlot. All the soul of Ticino on your plate and in your glass! |
| Museum of Val Verzasca | |
| The museum is hosted in this large house, Casa Genardini, where an exhibition on the popular traditions of the Verzasca Valley was held in 1974. Five years later, this exhibition led to the creation of the Museum of Val Verzasca, which presents the history, culture and traditions of the valley. |
| Oratory | |
| This little oratory probably has a name but we neglected to note it as we passed. A few metres behind us, at the edge of the road, there is a bench where you can take a short break before continuing the walk. |
| Redòrta River | |
| It is here that the Riale Carded torrent flows into the Redòrta river (which in turn flows into the Verzasca river just south of Sonogno). Our panoramas were shot in August, when the river, stream and waterfall are obviously at their minimum flow. |
| Strada dai Casèll (1) | |
| We are here at the end of the Strada dai Casèll, in front of the Strada dal Fórn that goes through the village centre. Behind us, the stroll continues to the waterfall of La Froda. |
| Strada dai Casèll (2) | |
| Strada dai Casèll connects, to east, Strada dal Fórn, which runs through the centre of the village of Sonogno, to Strada de Redòrta, which follows the river of the same name upstream, to the west. |
| Strada dai Casèll (3) | |
| Strada dai Casèll connects, to east, Strada dal Fórn, which runs through the centre of the village of Sonogno, to Strada de Redòrta, which follows the river of the same name upstream, to the west. |
| Strada dai Casèll (4) | |
| Strada dai Casèll connects, to east, Strada dal Fórn, which runs through the centre of the village of Sonogno, to Strada de Redòrta, which follows the river of the same name upstream, to the west. |
| Strada dai Casèll (5) | |
| Strada dai Casèll connects, to east, Strada dal Fórn, which runs through the centre of the village of Sonogno, to Strada de Redòrta, which follows the river of the same name upstream, to the west. |
| Strada dai Casèll (6) | |
| Strada dai Casèll connects, to east, Strada dal Fórn, which runs through the centre of the village of Sonogno, to Strada de Redòrta, which follows the river of the same name upstream, to the west. |
| Strada dai Casèll (7) | |
| Strada dai Casèll connects, to east, Strada dal Fórn, which runs through the centre of the village of Sonogno, to Strada de Redòrta, which follows the river of the same name upstream, to the west. |
| Strada dai Casèll (8) | |
| Strada dai Casèll connects, to east, Strada dal Fórn, which runs through the centre of the village of Sonogno, to Strada de Redòrta, which follows the river of the same name upstream, to the west. |
| Strada dal Fórn (1) | |
| The Strada dal Fórn is the "Oven Road", so called because it is the street where the communal oven is located, where in the past the bread of the whole community was cooked. |
| Strada dal Fórn (2) | |
| In 1850, there were 334 inhabitants in Sonogno, but there has been a lot of emigration and less than 90 remain. However, the village is still very much alive thanks to the old renovated rustic houses that have become second homes. |
| Strada dal Fórn (3) | |
| The village was known in 1200 as Sornono, then in 1417 as Senognio. From the 14th century onwards, the inhabitants, who were mainly engaged in sheep farming, practised transhumance, wintering on the Magadino plain between Lake Maggiore and Bellinzona. |
| Strada dal Fórn (4) | |
| After the emigration of many of its inhabitants in the second half of the 19th century, Sonogno found a new life in the 1970s with the development of tourism. Here you will find accommodation, restaurants, shops selling local products and handicrafts, and everything you need for an invigorating stay in unspoilt nature. |
| Strada de Redòrta (1) | |
| Our view here is to the east, towards the village, at the spot where Strada de Redòrta seems to split in two. It continues to the right towards the south of the village to join the main road. To the left is Strada dai Casèll, which goes to the centre of the village. |
| Strada de Redòrta (10) | |
| Our stroll to the waterfall continues, passing by some typical Ticino buildings called "rustico". Most of these peasant houses have obviously become second homes or holiday homes. |
| Strada de Redòrta (11) | |
| Our stroll to the waterfall continues, passing by some typical Ticino buildings called "rustico". Most of these peasant houses have obviously become second homes or holiday homes. |
| Strada de Redòrta (12) | |
| Our stroll to the waterfall continues, passing by some typical Ticino buildings called "rustico". Most of these peasant houses have obviously become second homes or holiday homes. |
| Strada de Redòrta (13) | |
| Our stroll to the waterfall continues, passing by some typical Ticino buildings called "rustico". Most of these peasant houses have obviously become second homes or holiday homes. |
| Strada de Redòrta (14) | |
| Our stroll to the waterfall continues, passing by some typical Ticino buildings called "rustico". Most of these peasant houses have obviously become second homes or holiday homes. |
| Strada de Redòrta (15) | |
| Here is a spot where you can easily go down and dip your feet in the river. To find the bridge that allows you to cross it and go to the foot of the waterfall, continue along the road. |
| Strada de Redòrta (16) | |
| A few more dozens of metres and we arrive at the footbridge over the Redòrta River. |
| Strada de Redòrta (17) | |
| We arrive at the footbridge that allows us to cross to the right bank of the river Redòrta. |
| Strada de Redòrta (2) | |
| The view is towards east (Sonogno village). The small road of Val Redorta is closed to traffic, except for the occupants of the houses along it and for the clients of the grotto which is a little further on. |
| Strada de Redòrta (3) | |
| The view is towards east (Sonogno village). The small road of Val Redorta is closed to traffic, except for the occupants of the houses along it and for the clients of the grotto which is a little further on. |
| Strada de Redòrta (4) | |
| The view is towards west (waterfall of La Froda). The small road of Val Redorta is closed to traffic, except for the occupants of the houses along it and for the clients of the grotto which is a little further on. |
| Strada de Redòrta (5) | |
| The panorama faces north. The waterfall is on our left and the village on our right. |
| Strada de Redòrta (6) | |
| The view is to the west (La Froda waterfall). A little further on, you will see a small oratory on the right-hand side of the road, which we will take a look at as we pass. |
| Strada de Redòrta (7) | |
| The view is westward. In front of us is the private car park of a unique restaurant, the Grotto Efra, and you can see the waterfall in the distance. |
| Strada de Redòrta (8) | |
| The waterfall of La Froda, which you can see in the distance, is another ten minutes' walk from Grotto Efra. Just keep following the road! |
| Strada de Redòrta (9) | |
| Our stroll to the waterfall continues, passing by some typical Ticino buildings called "rustico". Most of these peasant houses have obviously become second homes or holiday homes. |
| Strada del Ciòss (1) | |
| Our view here is oriented towards the lane that leads to the car park, the village square is behind us. |
| Strada del Ciòss (2) | |
| On the right of the satellite map you can see the large car park between the village and the Verzasca river. It is a paying car park where it is possible to spend the night, but it gets full quite quickly during the summer months. |
| Strada del Ciòss (3) | |
| Our virtual stroll starts here, between the paying car park and the village centre. It will take you through Sonogno and then westwards to the waterfall of La Froda, a half-hour walk away. |
| The old common oven | |
| This old bread oven is still sometimes used. It is a "banal" (communal) oven, which was once used to bake bread for the whole village. A "banal" oven was once subject to the "ban", i.e. the right of the lord, who made such an oven available to his subjects for a fee. |
| Trail to La Froda (1) | |
| First, the path follows the course of the river downstream for a few dozen metres. |
| Trail to La Froda (2) | |
| It is here, a few metres from the Riale Cardèd torrent, that the ascent to the waterfall begins, which for the moment is still invisible. |
| Trail to La Froda (3) | |
| The climb is relatively steep and rather impressive but the path is very well maintained and safe, so there is no need to worry even if you are prone to vertigo. |
| Trail to La Froda (4) | |
| We can now see the waterfall, it is August and it is not very impressive. Another footbridge over the torrent and we are almost there. |
| Trail to La Froda (5) | |
| A few more steps and we are at the foot of the waterfall, where a surprise awaits us... |
| Trail to La Froda (6) | |
| During our shooting in August 2021, the foot of the waterfall was invaded by goats, totally placid, which observed the hikers passing or stepping over them without even moving an ear. What were they doing there, far from everything? Looking for shade and coolness, perhaps... |
